The prevalence of the third and fourth heart sounds in clinically healthy Holstein cattle

Compared to information available on the third and fourth heart sounds in the horse [1] there is a paucity of information on these sounds in cattle in the veterinary literature, although auscultation is the main step in clinical examination of both the cardiovascular system and the animal as a whole. Most literatures describe bovine cardiac sounds and mention that all four heart sounds may be heard in cattle [2,3]. A review of veterinary literature failed to find information with regard to the prevalence of the third and fourth heart sounds in clinically healthy cattle. This preliminary study was undertaken to find out the incidence of these sounds in clinically healthy cattle.