Stethoscopes

[RxyBrtn]

Just wanted a few opinions about what kind of stethoscope to get. I'm going into mixed animal. I've used a couple different stethoscopes but I am having a hard time figuring out what would be best for a career with both large and small animals.

Pros/cons of certain features/brands/etc.?

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[pooter]

Make sure you know the specific requirements for your school before you buy one. My school, for instance, makes you choose between a limited number of Littman models, but I think most other schools will also accept Welch Allyn. As for types, I enjoy my Cardio III, but I'm primarily a small animal person. Haven't tried it much on anything bigger than a labrador. I know some large animal people prefer the length of the vet-specific scope.

 

[T_Rose]

I don't know too much about them, but every veterinarian I know prefers Littmann brand stethoscopes. I have a Littmann Classic II S.E., but I only needed a stethoscope for a veterinary volunteer trip. I've used mine on small animals, but someone I know has borrowed mine to use on a goat. I'm well aware that I may have to buy a different stethoscope for veterinary school, and I am fine with that. I agree with pooter, check with the veterinary schools for specifics.

 

[Abnerrs]

Littman Cardio III for sure!!!!

 

[Lissarae06]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=674571&highlight=stethoscope

Post #5 links to more threads on the topic.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=674571&highlight=stethoscope

 

[hopefulinva]

Schools require different models, but from what I've seen Littmans tend to be popular.

I have a Littman Classic II SE as well, which is the standard fare for the hospital I work at; almost all of us have some flavor of Littman. I like it. =)

 

[Fly Racing]

My $60 (student discount) Littman Lightweight II (classic w/o accessory kit) has been serving me well. When I start doing anything with toy breed dogs or kittens then I will purchase the pediatric head. I've been amazed at how good the sound is (well, after I got the bell turned the right way, lol!) I had to do some bending (per included instructions) and it fits great!

I'm hoping it survives 4 years of vet school so when I spring for the cardio III I can get it engraved with "Dr."

 

[ORvetgirl]

definitely check with your school...our state vet association actually gifts all new students with a stethoscope, white coat, and name badge at the white coat ceremony.

 

[jmo1012]

love my littmann cardio III. most of my classmates use the littmann classic II that we got with our physical diagnosis kits from the school 1st term. get something you're comfortable learning on-not too short, not too long, and not too fancy. one of my classmates has an electronic stethoscope and i think she's absolutely nuts to have something so expensive at school where she's at risk of losing it or having it stolen (it stinks to lose $150 stethoscope, but i think i'd die if i lost something worth $500-600!!)

don't forget that you can upgrade or change out as you go along, it's not critical (and probably not practical) to assume this is the only one you'll ever buy.

 

[Fireflysushi]

I'm hoping it survives 4 years of vet school so when I spring for the cardio III I can get it engraved with "Dr."

My parents got me the cariology III and engraved it, but they didn't want to lie by putting "Dr. Fireflysushi" so they just put "Fireflysushi". I am hoping that when I graduate I can get the "Dr." added on. I have no idea what I will do when my name becomes "Dr./ Mrs Fireflysushi-mr. Fireflysushi's last name". Sheesh!

 

[hopefulinva]

My parents got me the cariology III and engraved it, but they didn't want to lie by putting "Dr. Fireflysushi" so they just put "Fireflysushi". I am hoping that when I graduate I can get the "Dr." added on. I have no idea what I will do when my name becomes "Dr./ Mrs Fireflysushi-mr. Fireflysushi's last name". Sheesh!

Hahaha my parents were in the same boat. Mine was an xmas present and they ended up not getting it engraved, in part because they weren't sure it's going to survive until I graduate, but also because my name will be changing this summer!

 

[Fireflysushi]

Hahaha my parents were in the same boat. Mine was an xmas present and they ended up not getting it engraved, in part because they weren't sure it's going to survive until I graduate, but also because my name will be changing this summer!

Congrats! This is an exciting year for you!

 

[PppermintTwist]

I agree with all the Littmann posts! They are a great stethoscope!

 

[hopefulinva]

Congrats! This is an exciting year for you!

Thank you very much! <3 It is indeed. =) Hopefully I can keep up with it all!

 

[squirrelsrule]

I got myself a littman Cardiology 3 and love it! Was getting sick of sharing stethoscopes and always getting the off brand one because I was low man on the totem pole, so I got my own that is better than their littman 2 . Figured I'd need it one day so why not get it early.

 

[Whyevernot55]

My old boss gifted me a shiny new Littman Cardio III eek: I know right?!) when I moved away and left the practice - I was her tech for 4 years and she's a good friend. Obviously. I LOVE that scope. I got used to using them at the clinic as both Dr's had one. I will also periodically use it on my horse just for giggles, and I like it so far for that as well. Another vote for anything Littman!

 

[screechie]

You should check with your school, a lot of times they will do a bulk order for a bunch of students and get you a discount or sell them through some sort of fundraiser.

 

[cowdoc21]

For the past 4 years, I've used my Littmann Master Classic II Veterinary stethoscope for large animal work (and farm calls for all species), and my Cardiology III for small animal work. I love both of them and each can be used for animals of any size. However, if you're going to be a mixed animal practitioner and plan on only purchasing one stethoscope (my Cardiology III was a gift), then I'd definitely lean towards the Master Classic II. The tubing is 32" long (compared to 27" on the other), and that extra 5 inches is REALLY convenient for auscultating large animals... especially when you're trying to listen to cattle that are in a chute.

 

[cowdoc21]

Forgot to mention... if you decide to go with the Master Classic II, make sure to specify that you want the Master Classic II Veterinary Stethoscope, not just the Master Classic II Stethoscope, which only has 27" tubing.

 

[cowgirla]

For the past 4 years, I've used my Littmann Master Classic II Veterinary stethoscope for large animal work (and farm calls for all species), and my Cardiology III for small animal work. I love both of them and each can be used for animals of any size. However, if you're going to be a mixed animal practitioner and plan on only purchasing one stethoscope (my Cardiology III was a gift), then I'd definitely lean towards the Master Classic II. The tubing is 32" long (compared to 27" on the other), and that extra 5 inches is REALLY convenient for auscultating large animals... especially when you're trying to listen to cattle that are in a chute.

Haven't had an issue with tubing length working in the LA hospital, but the size of the head on the Cardio is a lot thicker than the one on the classic IIse- and sometimes it's a pain in the butt to push that big thing far enough under the triceps m. on a difficult cow or one with a lot of meat on her bones. I love having both to use, but honestly, for school purposes, you'd probably be fine with either. I generally can't hear the difference in faint sounds between the two, so unless you have an awesome ear from the get-go, might not make too much of a difference either way.

 

[jemappellejane]

I was gonna ask for a littman 2 se for my birthday, but just found out I get one with my dissection pack at school

 

[Chinola]

At my school we have a choice of 22" or 27" for the special deal we get. I'm looking at the Littmann III. I'm going to go into small animal sooo should I get the 22" or the 27"? No one can seem to answer which is the normal "standard" for me.

 

[jmo1012]

At my school we have a choice of 22" or 27" for the special deal we get. I'm looking at the Littmann III. I'm going to go into small animal sooo should I get the 22" or the 27"? No one can seem to answer which is the normal "standard" for me.

my vote is for the 27" I'm 99% sure that's what I have. the length really is mostly about quality of sound. are you more likely to pick up a grade 1? maybe, but we're inexperienced and not specialists so i think have the extra few inches for comfort if better. 27" is a pretty standard length-the 22" is super short and barely fits around your neck. i'd hate feeling like it was constantly going to slip off

 

[cowgirla]

At my school we have a choice of 22" or 27" for the special deal we get. I'm looking at the Littmann III. I'm going to go into small animal sooo should I get the 22" or the 27"? No one can seem to answer which is the normal "standard" for me.

27 for sure. You'll be happier and can always upgrade in the future or buy a "spare" once you graduate.

And remember- there's a very good chance you will have to touch an animal larger than a dog while in school

 

[Chinola]

And remember- there's a very good chance you will have to touch an animal larger than a dog while in school

Of course! I was just told that either size will work for large or small animal. So I wanted some opinions about what length is the best for the long run. All anyone had told me before is the short one, but I didn't know what size the "short" one was! lol

 

[jmo1012]

Of course! I was just told that either size will work for large or small animal. So I wanted some opinions about what length is the best for the long run. All anyone had told me before is the short one, but I didn't know what size the "short" one was! lol

27" is definitely the more standard size i definitely wouldnt want anything longer though

 

[cowgirla]

Of course! I was just told that either size will work for large or small animal. So I wanted some opinions about what length is the best for the long run. All anyone had told me before is the short one, but I didn't know what size the "short" one was! lol

There's a vet model that comes in 32in I believe. I personally dont see the need for the extra length, but can see how a 22inch would be a pain in some cases. If talking to vets, the 27 is prob considered "the short one"

 

[Fly Racing]

I couldn't imagine going down to a 22"!

 

[LetItSnow]

27 for sure. You'll be happier and can always upgrade in the future or buy a "spare" once you graduate.

And remember- there's a very good chance you will have to touch an animal larger than a dog while in school

It must be just me, but I personally find the longer stethoscope to be more useful in SMALL ANIMAL than large. In large animal, I'm always standing next to the side of the animal and can move myself around as necessary. With a dog on a table, it's often easier to reach the stethoscope under/over/etc, and the length comes in more handy.

Dunno. Guess I'm just odd.

Anyway, all that said - I personally don't think the length really matters much. Way, WAY more important that you get a stethoscope that's comfortable in your ears and you can hear well with. Even though I noted above that I find the longer one more useful with small animal, I normally haul my shorter one everywhere because it sounds so much better.

 

[LetItSnow]

especially when you're trying to listen to cattle that are in a chute.

Ok, everything I just said in my previous post got nullified by this. I've only had to listen to large animals I could get right up next to. If you had to deal with a chute I can see it mattering a lot more.

 

[Emiloo4]

At my school we have a choice of 22" or 27" for the special deal we get. I'm looking at the Littmann III. I'm going to go into small animal sooo should I get the 22" or the 27"? No one can seem to answer which is the normal "standard" for me.

Would you mind sharing what the deal UF gets is, so I know whether to wait or not?

 

[Abnerrs]

Ugh I hate the longer stethoscopes for small animal. I feel like it swings around too much and hits the little buggers in the head when I have it around my neck..... lol

 

[Chinola]

Would you mind sharing what the deal UF gets is, so I know whether to wait or not?

Definitely wait. You don't need a stethoscope at all first year (not even once). SCAVMA reimburses us for part of the costs when we all buy them at the same time. The deadline for this year is March 30th. I'm assuming next year will be similar. I don't know how much we'll get back on the price. It depends on how many people order.

All you need for UF in preparation for first year are your rabies vaccines and clothes if you don't have anything acceptable for the dress code (which would basically mean all you wear are sweats lol).

 

[Chebanse]

The reasons to have the longer (32 in) stethoscope that I have heard from several vets is so that you don't have to put your face as close to a potentially bitey dog or nasty cat. Also, of course, the reach issue with large animal. I have the veterinary 32 in and I think the sound quality is pretty good... then again, I haven't done anything terribly sensitive yet.