Getting the most out of your auscultation technique Dr Luca Ferasin DVM PhD CertVC DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology) MRCVS European and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology

Consulting room should be very silent Howling, moaning, panting and purring are common sources of disturbance as well as...loquacious owners! Chest Auscultation

Classic (Bell + Diaphragm) High Pitched Sounds Low Pitched Sounds

Tunable technology High Pitched Sounds Low Pitched Sounds

High Pitched Sounds Low Pitched Sounds Tunable technology (double headed)

Double vs Single Tubing

Electronic Stethoscope Welch Allyn Analyzer

Closing the eyes during auscultation may help increase the concentration. Purring can be stopped for a few seconds by touching gently the tip of the cat’s nose. Alcohol is irritant for the nose and the eyes and should be avoided. The sound of water running from the tap or gentle cradling may also stop the cat purring for a few seconds. Tips

Laryngeal/Tracheal sounds Harsh (like blowing through a pipe) Both inspiration and expiration Increased during exercise/excitement/panting It can be used for counting the Respiratory Rate Inspiration normally longer than expiration (I > E) Markedly increased inspiration with underlying laryngeal pathologies

Vesicular sounds low pitched and normally heard over most lung fields Heard in the posterior chest and in the central part of the anterior chest Very soft and difficult to record

Bronchial (broncho-vesicular) sounds Heard in the anterior chest near the second and third intercostal spaces Loud and high in pitch with a short pause between inspiration and expiration; expiratory sounds last slightly longer than inspiratory sounds

Abnormal Respiratory Sounds (see notes for explanation) RhonchiCracklesWheezesStridorsStertors Reverse Sneezing Mixed