206 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 



The pulse is the intermittent wave in an artery that is caused 

 by the heart forcing blood into the arterial system. As it is 

 usually impossible to count the number of beats for a full minute, 

 they should be taken for ten seconds at two or three different 

 times, and the average multiplied by six to get the pulse rate per 

 minute. Variations as to frequency, rhythm, and quality may 

 be noted. The pulse is fast in severe disease accompanied with 

 fever, in all painful conditions, in excitement, and following 

 severe hemorrhage. A hard pulse is always associated with a 

 serious disorder. 



The'frequency of the pulse varies normally with the species, 

 age, size, and temperament of the animal. The younger the 

 animal the more frequent the pulse. An animal of nervous 

 temperament is easily excited by noises, strangers, feeding, and 

 slight exercise and has a pulse rate higher than would be found in 

 an animal of phlegmatic or lymphatic temperament. 



The normal pulse of the different adult farm animals follows: 



Horse 28 to 40 per minute 



Ox 45 to 50 per minute 



Sheep 70 to 80 per minute 



Hog 70 to 80 per minute 



The horse's pulse is usually taken at the margin of the jaw, 

 where an artery winds around from the inner side. Other arteries 

 that are superficial enough to be easily felt are located at the 

 inside of the elbow and under the tail. 



The ox's pulse is taken on the outside of the jaw just above 

 its lower border. Another very convenient place is the soft place 

 immediately above the inner dewclaw. 



The sheep's pulse is taken on the inside of the thigh where the 

 femoral artery comes in close proximity to the skin. 



The hog's pulse can be felt in the same place as that of the 

 sheep. 



Variations in rhythm and quality of the pulse are more difficult 

 to recognize than variations in the number of beats. When weU 

 marked they should be considered serious signs and the attending 

 veterinarian asked to interpret their meaning. 



The respirations may be counted by observing the rise and fall 

 of the flanks, or in winter by watching the steam coming from the 

 nostrils. Rapid respirations due to recent exercise or excitement 

 should not be confused with disease. A pathologic increase in 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



