Idea Exchange: A tip for monitoring pocket pets' heart rates

Article

At our hospital, we perform few exotic or pocket pet surgeries, but when we do, we have struggled with monitoring these patients' heart rates.

At our hospital, we perform few exotic or pocket pet surgeries, but when we do, we have struggled with monitoring these patients' heart rates. Their bodies are too small to attach monitors to, and stethoscopes are bulky. However, we can hear these patients' hearts by using the crystal from our Doppler blood pressure monitor. We don't even shave the patient; we just use some gel and place the transducer on the animal's chest.

Loretta Postell, LVT

Lacey, Wash.

Newsletter

From exam room tips to practice management insights, get trusted veterinary news delivered straight to your inbox—subscribe to dvm360.

Recent Videos
Marlis Rezende, DVM, PhD, MSc, DACVAA
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.