Why does my pet need sedation for just an x-ray?

When we do x-rays, we generally like to see two or three different views. When pets are sore, or not feeling well, they tend to be a little fractious at the best of times. When we have to move their legs or place them on their backs, the position can be momentarily uncomfortable or even painful. To keep them pain free and hopefully less likely to bite, we sedate them prior to taking the x-ray. In many cases we will fully anesthetize the patient and then reverse the anesthetic for a quick recovery.