Venipuncture
Synonym(s): Blood collection, phlebotomy
Introduction
- Essential to investigate health and disease, eg hematology, biochemistries, serology, etc, treat conditions, eg fluid therapy, and perform veterinary procedures such as anesthesia, contrast injection in a CT scan, etc.
- Good technique and proper restraint are required.
- Jugular vein → rapid, unobstructed flow of blood but restraint can be stressful and may require sedation.
- Marginal auricular vein: easy to catheterize, but blood collection a bit more challenging due to easy collapse of the vein. The use of the central auricular artery is controversial, as clot formation can cause ischemic necrosis of the ear tip.
- Peripheral veins, eg cephalic and saphenous: slow blood flow may produce sampling artefacts (hemolysis and microclots), but easier to locate than jugular and restraint is less stressful.
- This section predominantly covers phlebotomy; for further information see Intravenous catheter placement Intravenous catheter placement.
Uses
- Biochemistry Blood biochemistry: overview/hematology Hematology.
- Serology.
- Toxicology.
- Fluid Fluid therapy /drug administration - particularly useful to maintain IV access during anesthesia.
Advantages
- Simple technique.
- Provides important diagnostic information.
Disadvantages
- Restraint may be stressful to animals not used to handling.
- Sedation may be required in some patients or for some venipuncture sites.
- Assistant usually required to restrain rabbit and raise vein.
Technical problems
- Slow blood flow in marginal ear vein, saphenous vein and cephalic vein may complicate the procedure.
Time required
Preparation
- Few minutes to clip and prepare skin.
- Up to 30 min is required for full skin thickness anesthesia using local anesthetic ointment Anesthesia: local, eg EMLA® .
- If sedation is used, onset time varies between drugs and route of administration Sedation.
Procedure
- Few minutes for phlebotomy.
- 10 min for intravenous catheter placement Intravenous catheter placement.
Decision taking
Criteria for choosing test
- Blood volume of healthy rabbit is 55-75 ml/kg.
- Sample volume should not exceed 10% of blood volume.
- Between 5.5 and 7.5 ml can be safely drawn from a healthy rabbit.
Requirements
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Preparation
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Technique
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Aftercare
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Ward M L (2006) Physical Examination and Clinical techniques. In: Manual of Rabbit Medicine & Surgery. 2nd edn. Eds: Meredith A & Flecknell P. BSAVA, Gloucester, England. ISBN: 978-0-905214-96-2. pp 18-36.
- Mader D (2004) Basic Approach to Veterinary Care: Clinical techniques. In: Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery (Includes sugar gliders and hedgehogs) 2nd edn. Eds: Quesenberry K E & Carpenter J W. W B Saunders, St, Louis, USA. ISBN: 0-7216-9377-6. pp 150-151.
- Brown F (2002) Textbook of Rabbit Medicine. Eds: Harcourt-Brown F. Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, England ISBN: 0 7506-4002-2. pp 246.
Other sources of information
- Ward M L (2006) Physical Examination and Clinical techniques. In: Manual of Rabbit Medicine & Surgery. 2nd edn. Eds: Meredith A & Flecknell P. BSAVA. pp 18-36.
- Harcourt-Brown F (2002) Textbook of Rabbit Medicine. Butterworth Heinemann.