Numerology In The Veterinarian’s Examination Room
A funny thing happens in the Examination Rooms in our veterinary hospital every day.
As I listen to hearts and lungs (and sometimes other sounds in pets’ chests) a pattern emerges.
I call it the “rate of the day”. For reasons I can’t begin to explain a run of pets all in a row will have the same heart rates, sometimes with the same breathing rates, too.
This morning’s outpatients had heartbeat rates of 124 and breathing rates of 24. There were three in a row until I mentioned the pattern to an off-duty employee who had brought her new pug, Emma, in for booster vaccinations.
Of course, saying it aloud broke the spell. Emma’s heart rate was 128.
Almost every day there will be a number that establishes a trend, and I don’t have any idea why that happens.
Just another one of those fun things to watch for as we practice every day.
See you tomorrow, Dr. Randolph.
Related posts:
- To Veterinarians, Patients Are Special
- Conversation Overheard in a Veterinarian’s Waiting Room
- Physical Examination For Dogs and Cats
