How to determine a dog's pulse? - briefly
To determine your dog's pulse, you can feel it on either side of the chest, just behind the front leg. Alternatively, you can check the pulse at the femoral artery located inside the back leg, near the groin area.
How to determine a dog's pulse? - in detail
To determine a dog's pulse, follow these steps:
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Preparation: Ensure your dog is calm and relaxed. You may need an assistant to help keep the dog still, especially if it is anxious or excited.
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Location: The most common places to check for a dog's pulse are the femoral artery (inside of the thigh), the radial artery (wrist area), or the heart itself using auscultation (listening with a stethoscope).
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Femoral Artery Method:
- Gently lift your dog's leg and place it over your shoulder, ensuring the dog is comfortable and secure.
- Locate the femoral artery, which runs along the inside of the thigh, near the groin area.
- Place two fingers gently on the artery and apply slight pressure. You should feel a steady pulse.
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Radial Artery Method:
- Position your dog so that it is lying on its side with one leg extended.
- Locate the radial artery, which is found on the inside of the wrist (carpal pad), just below the elbow.
- Place two fingers gently on the artery and apply slight pressure. You should feel a steady pulse.
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Heart Auscultation Method:
- Use a stethoscope to listen for the heartbeat. Position the dog comfortably on its side.
- Place the diaphragm of the stethoscope on the left side of the chest, just behind the elbow.
- Listen for the "lub-dub" sound of the heartbeat. This method is less common for determining pulse rate but can be useful in certain situations.
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Counting the Pulse:
- Once you have located the pulse, count the number of beats in 15 seconds.
- Multiply this number by four to get the beats per minute (bpm).
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Normal Ranges: