Radiographic procedures frequently require restraint, physical manipulation, and exposure to unfamiliar clinical environments, all of which may generate significant stress in many patients. This protocol recommends prioritizing a calm and progressive approach before radiographic positioning begins. Key recommendations include preparing all necessary equipment in advance in order to minimize handling time, avoiding repeated repositioning whenever possible, and reducing the number of staff involved in patient restraint. Additional measures such as non-slip surfaces, comfortable ambient temperatures, and allowing short adaptation periods before the procedure can significantly improve patient stability and cooperation.
In particularly anxious or reactive patients, the protocol recognizes that a light and carefully controlled sedation may represent a more welfare-oriented option than exposing the animal to severe emotional or physical stress through forced restraint. The objective is to obtain high-quality diagnostic imaging while simultaneously minimizing the negative impact on the patient’s emotional and physiological well-being.