Examination of the Heart
In the horse, the apex of the heart lies at the 6th rib and the base is in a straight line with the shoulder joint. The heart must be examined from the left side.
Palpitation - the apex beat and cardiac impulse will be seen and felt especially in palpitation or hypertrophy of the heart. It is obscure in weakness of the heart or in the presence of exudates in pericardium or pleura.
Percussion - it is only of select value. The sound produced is dull. The area of dullness maybe increased by hypertrophy, palpitation or tumors. Evidence of pain may be noted in Acute Pericarditis.
One distinguishes normally the heart sounds (Lob and Dub). Both these sounds are increased in hypertrophy, pneumonia, and anemia. They are weakened in debility, exhaustion or in presence of exudates or transudation. Abnormal heart sounds or murmur is heard immediately before or after the Lob and Dub depending on the cause. They are due to either incompetence of valves orstenosis of opening — may be systolic or diastolic. These sounds may be described as buzzing, blowing, punning, hissing or humming and are synchronous with the heart beats. In cattle, listen for heart over the shoulder joint. In dogs, go very close to the sternum.