Which device is used to measure blood pressure in small animals?

• A. Ultrasonic Doppler flow detector
• B. Pulse oximeter
• C. Thermometer
• D. Stethoscope

Answer: (A)

Measuring blood pressure in small animals is done indirectly by detecting when arterial blood flow returns as a cuff is deflated. A Doppler ultrasonic flow detector is used because its probe can pick up the tiny, pulsatile flow in small peripheral arteries (like a tail artery in rodents) and identify the exact moment flow resumes. That moment corresponds to the systolic pressure. This method is quick, noninvasive, and reliable for small animals, where listening with a stethoscope is impractical and where devices like thermometers or pulse oximeters are used for temperature or oxygen saturation, not blood pressure.