THORACIC AND ABDOMINAL RADIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF THE EUROPEAN WILDCAT (FELIS SILVESTRIS)

Survey radiographs imaged for routine health management of captive European wildcats (Felis silvestris), bred for conservation translocation, were assessed to determine normal qualitative and quantitative radiographic parameters for this species (n = 37, 16 adults and 21 subadults). Normal wildcat parameters determined included vertebral heart score (VHS; 7.5–9.1), small intestine diameter (10.09–15.65 mm), small intestine diameter to second lumbar vertebral end plate ratio (1.64), small intestine diameter to fifth lumbar vertebral end plate ratio (2.82), large intestine diameter to fifth lumbar vertebra ratio (0.88), right kidney to second lumbar vertebra (L2; 2.09–2.81), and left kidney to L2 (2.07–2.75). Wildcat radiographic anatomy is similar to the domestic cat (Felis catus) in many respects. However, differing features included VHS, small intestinal diameter, and the presence of an os penis.