Keep a Tab on Your Dog’s Health with the Best Dog Stethoscopes

Medical professionals require stethoscopes that offer complete auscultation, i.e., the ability to listen to all internal sounds in the body, especially around the heart, lungs, and stomach. However, for pets, you may not need a high-end device like this. A simple device that enables you to hear your dog’s breathing is enough so that if you notice erratic patterns, you can take them to a vet immediately and prevent severe cases of issues like bronchitis.

But where to start? That’s the question. This guide will define and describe the technical features of stethoscopes so you can easily compare options and buy the leading dog stethoscope in 2021.

Types of Stethoscopes

Let’s start with the types:

Single head and dual head

The dual-head stethoscopes have two sides to allow you to hear both the low sounds like cardiac murmurs and higher sounds like breathing. The downside of this is that you may have to switch sides when changing the position of the chest piece. This problem is mitigated by models with double frequency diaphragm, which allows you to use either side without remembering which side was for low voices and vice versa.

The single head has only one side that allows you to listen to sounds. However, similar to the dual head option, certain single head stethoscopes are equipped with the technology to listen to both low and high-frequency sounds.

Acoustic and electronic

Acoustic stethoscopes work on the principle of trapping sound vibrations and allowing a contained channel (tubing) to pass through before reaching the earpiece. Because the vibrations are not lost to the environment, the sound you hear in the stethoscope is louder.

While acoustic stethoscopes are great for listening to breathing and for any stomach issues, they use a manual method of sound transference. They cannot possibly amplify the output noise without external help. 

Electronic stethoscopes provide this aid by first translating the sound waves into signals, then optimizing them by either or both removing the background noise and amplifying it. Therefore, this type of stethoscope gives better results than its acoustic counterpart.

5 Things to Consider when Looking for the Best Dog Stethoscopes

Here are some of the most crucial considerations to keep in mind before you go shopping for a dog stethoscope:

Comfortability of the ear tips

The ear tips of stethoscopes are usually quite hard. However, if worn correctly with the correct sizes, you will be fine. Always check for products that offer multiple ear tip sizes so you can wear the size that fits you perfectly. However, if you are buying a stethoscope for the first time and are unsure, try opting for products that feature soft ear tips.

Weight of the stethoscope

Stethoscopes can be lightweight or sturdy. If you choose for home use, either option will be acceptable because you won’t need to wear it around your neck all day. However, a lightweight option would be better if you are a veterinarian, considering long work hours.

Length of tubing

There are multiple variations in lengths of stethoscopes available in the market. Medical professionals who treat adults and animals use the longer ones commonly. The shorter ones are more used explicitly by pediatricians.

If you need one for home use, you need to decide based on the size and behavior of your dog. If they are more comfortable checking their breathing from a slight distance, get the longer size. If it’s the opposite case, get the shorter length of tubing.

Material of tubing

Always check the tubing material before buying to ensure that you don’t accidentally purchase a stethoscope with substances that may induce allergies in your dog.

Extra features

Vendors offer certain customer-centric features to stand out from the rest. These are always great benefits, so if you have two products with the same basic features, the extra add-ons can help you break the tie. Some of the common features you can find are as follows:

• Spare parts: A dog stethoscope that comes equipped with spare parts—especially multiple sizes of ear tips—is a great option.
• Lifetime warranty and parts: Lifetime warranties always give users the peace of mind that you are getting a good quality product. Getting spare parts for life is an excellent addition to the warranty.
• Return policy: In online purchasing, you often face the issue that the product may cause some issue that you may not have foreseen. In these cases, return policies are a lifesaver.