Large Animal Steth?

[TheCattleman]

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Hey guys, just had a quick specific question about stethoscopes that hasn't been brought up yet...So I have some classes that encourage the use of stethoscopes when we do labs and work around our campus farm with the livestock, and so I went and bought the Littmann Master Classic II, but didn't realize until a few days later that the "Vet"-specified model of that steth is 32" (for large animal use) instead of the 27" regular one, which apparently is non-veterinary related. My question is, do any of you have the Master Classic II "Vet" 32" model, and would/does the 5" difference between the two models make a huge difference when you are using them on large animals? The MCII regular works great for me with hearing everything I need to, but I haven't had to use it on a horse or cow yet and I don't want to be standing under the animal to use it lol. I still have the receipt for the steth and can take it back and order the longer one if need be, but I don't really want to do that unless it's going to give me reaching hardship under the animal. Thanks!

 

[cowgirla]

Pretty sure both my steths are 27ish inches, and I've never had a problem with either of them.
I can see an extra couple inches coming in handy if you have a critter that's trying to kill you and you want to stand a little farther away, but even then, is 5 inches really going to help?

 

[katryn]

I have the "Vet" MCII....which I also promptly forgot for half of my LA labs first semester, and had to borrow a normal length from someone else. I like having the extra length (on big and little animals), but I don't think I ever really noticed a disadvantage to the normal length ones. I bought the long version because I've been almost bitten too many times when leaning over tiny dogs. Adjustable height tables were non-existent in one of the practices I worked at, so it was almost a necessity.

 

[TheCattleman]

Thanks to the both of you! Yeah I didn't really see much of a difference when I put my friend's 32" up to my regular MCII, but I thought I should just ask someone who's had experience using it on large animals first since I haven't had to use it for that yet. Length differences aside, I love the MCII! We had a lab/demonstration a few weekends ago where everyone brought their steths, and everyone ended up borrowing mine because they couldn't hear anything haha. The "medical student discount" I got where I purchased it didn't hurt either 🙂 All around a great steth and I'd definitely buy it again

 

[lostbunny]

one vet I worked with said always have your stethoscope as long as your arm stretched out

 

[TheCattleman]

In that case, the steth I have is fine haha

 

[lostbunny]

In that case, the steth I have is fine haha

yeah his reasoning was "you hand will get bit before your face". Sounds logical enough to me! 😉

 

[Minnerbelle]

I've never tried firsthand, but I've always heard that the 32" one is just really handy in terms of being able to auscultate while not being as stuck underneath the animal as with the 27". More a safety/convenience thing than anything else. Apparently, the longer the tube is, the worse the sound quality. However, unless you're a cardiologist or experienced veterinarian grade auscultator, I kind of doubt it'll make a difference. lol, I don't think I can really even tell normal from abnormal (unless there's something REALLY wrong) at this point no matter how good the stethoscope I have is.

 

[jmo1012]

interestingly, i was browsing the cardio lab on VIN last night and reading about stethoscopes. they recommend 14-18" (have to cut down what you buy) to really have a quality scope that can detect murmurs.