Stethoscope recommendation?

[Frundette]

I'd like to purchase a stethoscope to have around the homestead, but I've never used one before. Anything in particular I should look for when buying one? Or would the cheap-o at Walmart work just fine?

 

[Eggcessive]

Unless you are a professional in the medical field where you would need to listen for heart murmurs and breath sounds in critically ill patients, a generic stethoscope would probably serve your purposes. Most RNs and physicians will buy LittmanII scopes around $75 for themselves, but truth be told most hospitals that I have worked in buy the cheaper ones for staff members to use since the expensive ones get stolen. Here is a link that I just saw will all prices:
http://www.amazon.com/b?node=3777201

http://www.allheart.com/category.aspx?
c=105&view=all&cmpid=SEGOO&CAPCID=17499509426&cadevice=c&gclid=CjwKEAiA9qCnBRCb7ZDhvaHSyicSJABGFFHtw8BUSrluuoCjV0pKfXRQkn2q5xQ4Wtqc2BnriDC8VhoCFsXw_wcB&CA_6C15C=1206491314

 

[dawg53]

I'd like to purchase a stethoscope to have around the homestead, but I've never used one before. Anything in particular I should look for when buying one? Or would the cheap-o at Walmart work just fine?

What are you going to listen for in a chicken?

 

[Frundette]

Thanks for the responses! I took a chicken to the vet a couple weeks ago and she was put on meds. I think she's all better but just wanted to compare her breathing to my other chickens to see if another vet visit is warranted. But it also seems like a generally useful tool to have around as my homestead grows.

 

[dawg53]

You really dont need a stethoscope to hear or see problems with chickens. Whatever disease; bacterial, viral, or fungal...you'll see and hear symptoms. You can put your ear directly on one side of the chicken and hear all the noises you want. If you ever hear a "clicking" noise, it's most likely a bad heart valve. There could be darkening of the comb due to lack of sufficient oxygen. Other than that, you'd hear gut noises, or wheezing/gurgling due to some type of respiratory disease. Whistling would indicate a ruptured air sac.
Here's a link for you regarding respiratory diseases to read through, including symptoms and treatments:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[microchick]

If you want to ho high end, facilities I worked at usually had Sprague stethoscopes around.

Most nurses, however, myself included, wanted a personal stethoscope that no body else used for hygiene purposes. Some bought Sprague but most went with a standard double belled unit that cost under 20$. These things get banged around a lot and unless I was working in an area like stage 2 cardiac/intensive care, the cheaper ones will get the job done.

QUILL has a Briggs/Rappaport stethoscope in their medical arts catalog that I have opened on my lap right now for 14.95.

AAAAAA+++++ company to work with. Free, fast shipping and reasonable prices.

Make sure you can protect it from elements and wipe off the bell with an alcohol swab if you use it on humans as well as your chickens.

It is always handy to have one around in case somebody has a respiratory illness and you want to check the lung involvement.

microchick/retired nurse

 

[Eggcessive]

Dawg53 is correct. I have a couple of stethoscopes and have never listened to my chickens. You will definitely hear noisy breathing or wheezing without one. I have also heard clicking noises on a chick with a leaking air sac that had been injured. A cheap stethoscope can be good at home for listening to family members heart or taking blood pressure. The do it yourself blood pressure cuffs can really come in handy with family or visitors.