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Ask The Vet
Q:Is it possible to hear a fetal heart rate with a high-quality stethoscope? If so, at about what stage of gestation, and what is the optimal position of the drum? I'm not concerned about the health of the fetus, and the mare seems to be thriving. I'm just curious (and thrilled) about the prospects of this baby.
A:It would be very difficult or almost impossible to auscultate (listen to) the fetal heart beat through the flank of a pregnant mare. One of the main reasons for this would be that the mare's intestinal sounds would interfere with your ability to hear the fetal heart beat. Also, the large size of the mare (hence, a large amount of space between her skin and the foal) will add to the difficulty ... Read more...
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