Stethoscopes?

[ReinaDeLuz]

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Hey guys!

Now, I'm pretty psyched about going to vet school next year...but sometimes I think my parents are just a little more excited than I am ;-) (I suppose its the 10+ years of shipping me around to the vet clinic/volunteering/taking in the strays I adopted/stressing about grades etc...). My parents new deal is that they want to get me a stethoscope as a graduation present, even though I told them that I wont actually *need* one for like two years! They're pretty stubborn, and since I will need one eventually, I might as well go with the flow. Now, they want to get me a "best of the best" stethoscope, and although I've been around them I don't know exactly which specific kind is the best for a vet student. I know Littman's are pretty good, I tried looking them up online and there are like a jillion types! Each one sounds more exciting than the next! I guess what I'm asking here is, whats the deal with the stethoscopes? I've heard vague murmurings about "cardiology III" being awesome, but there's also "master cardiology", "master classic II" "classic II SE" and the list goes on!

Which do you guys reccomend?

 

[HorseyVet]

I researched this a long time ago, so things may have changed. But you may want to consider getting a less regular expensive scope and spending the "extra money" getting a pediatric scope in addition...depends on what you are working on obviously, but I know I can hear a difference in the ped scope on really small stuff.

It may be also good to just try to listen to as many as you can first before making a decision b/c it seems to be something highly guided by personal preference.

 

[UKYWildcat]

Personally, I have a Cardiology III and a Master Cardiology. I use the Cardio III every day and like it...the Master Cardiology is just to heavy to lug around all day. I've also used the Welch Allyn Tycos and really like them.
If you *really* want something now, my suggestion would be to get something decent but relatively inexpensive...chances are (sadly) that someone will steal it before you're done with school anyway.

 

[chris03333]

Hey guys!

Now, I'm pretty psyched about going to vet school next year...but sometimes I think my parents are just a little more excited than I am ;-) (I suppose its the 10+ years of shipping me around to the vet clinic/volunteering/taking in the strays I adopted/stressing about grades etc...). My parents new deal is that they want to get me a stethoscope as a graduation present, even though I told them that I wont actually *need* one for like two years! They're pretty stubborn, and since I will need one eventually, I might as well go with the flow. Now, they want to get me a "best of the best" stethoscope, and although I've been around them I don't know exactly which specific kind is the best for a vet student. I know Littman's are pretty good, I tried looking them up online and there are like a jillion types! Each one sounds more exciting than the next! I guess what I'm asking here is, whats the deal with the stethoscopes? I've heard vague murmurings about "cardiology III" being awesome, but there's also "master cardiology", "master classic II" "classic II SE" and the list goes on!

Which do you guys reccomend?

I have the cardio III and LOVE it. It has both adult and pediatric bells on it so I can get away with one scope (I do lots of work with the ittybitties)

 

[HorseyVet]

I have the cardio III and LOVE it. It has both adult and pediatric bells on it so I can get away with one scope (I do lots of work with the ittybitties)

Personally I could hear a difference b/w the ped bell on the cardio III and another scope that was specifically pediatric...but I don't remember if the clarity difference was enough to warrant lugging around both. I do know vets that do use both though b/c they think there is a big enough difference.

 

[Bill59]

With stethoscopes, a lot of it comes down to personal preference. Your best bet is try different models to see -- or rather hear -- what works best for you.

 

[birdvet2006]

My mom works with human cardiac surgery patients and bought me the Littman Master Cardiology (this is what she has). I love it!! I won't use anything else if I can help it. Its heaviness doesn't bother me at all, as I wear it around my neck all the time and have become accustomed to it. One of our equine professors (the one interested in equine cardiology) loves her Master Cardiology as well.

The only other one I will actually hear things with is the Ultrascope. I'm hearing impaired and didn't like the Welch Allyn electronic stethoscope (haven't tried other brands though). I have to take my hearing aids out to listen with a stethoscope, but I hear things just fine with my Master Cardiology or a Ultrascope.

I have used my huge "normal sized stethoscope head" on tiny birds, and it looks a bit funny but I can still hear with it.