Which artery locations can be used to palpate a pulse in a dog or cat?

• A. Femoral, digital, sublingual, coccygeal, tarsal, carotid and brachial arteries.
• B. Only the carotid artery can be used.
• C. The pulmonary artery is used for peripheral pulse.
• D. The aorta is used for peripheral pulse.

Answer: (A)

Palpating a pulse comes from feeling the arterial surge as the heart contracts. In dogs and cats there are several accessible arteries you can use: the femoral artery in the inner thigh; the digital arteries in the paws; the sublingual artery under the tongue; the coccygeal artery at the base of the tail; the tarsal (dorsal pedal) artery near the ankle; the carotid artery in the neck; and the brachial artery along the forelimb. These sites are practical because the arteries run close to the surface at these points, giving a palpable pulse even in small or unwell animals and allowing you to estimate heart rate and assess perfusion.

The pulmonary artery isn’t used for a peripheral pulse since it’s part of the heart–lung circulation and its pressures aren’t measured or felt peripherally; palpating there wouldn’t provide a reliable, usable peripheral pulse. The aorta is a central vessel whose pulsations aren’t accessible or practical to feel at the body surface during routine exams.