A recent visit to the vet left David Revoy frustrated with the need to monitor his cat’s pulse rate at home. To solve this problem, he created a digital stethoscope using a cheap one and a basic lavalier USB microphone. By cutting the silicone tubing from the stethoscope head and sticking the microphone into it, he was able to get an accurate recording of his cat’s heartbeat.
David found that traditional palpation methods were difficult due to his cat’s normal heart rate in the 140s. He successfully recorded a clean audio signal using software, then counted up the peaks to determine the beats per second. The hack is simple yet impactful, making it suitable for those who want to monitor their pet’s health without investing in expensive smart stethoscopes.
This DIY solution has sparked interest among enthusiasts, with suggestions for using similar hacks for diagnostics and monitoring pumps and other activities. With a little creativity, anyone can build a functional digital stethoscope for their cat or even themselves, providing a convenient and cost-effective alternative to traditional medical equipment.
Source: https://hackaday.com/2025/04/27/quick-and-easy-digital-stethoscope-keeps-tabs-on-cat