
What is the best vein to draw blood from a dog?
As shown in the figure, the major sites of blood collection in your pet is jugular vein, cephalic vein and saphenous vein. Depending on certain cases like, if you need large quantity of samples, then collection from jugular vein is preferred, as it’s a big vein and carries large quantity of blood from the body.
Where to collect blood from a pet for blood collection?
Sites of Blood Collection… As shown in the figure, the major sites of blood collection in your pet is jugular vein, cephalic vein and saphenous vein. Depending on certain cases like, if you need large quantity of samples, then collection from jugular vein is preferred, as it’s a big vein and carries large quantity of blood from the body.
Can you use a syringe to draw blood from a dog?
If you have an anemic dog, draw from the cephalic vein only (no jugular vein) because the dog will bleed easily and the cephalic vein will not bleed as fast as the jugular vein would. Take care in handling the syringe and needle as you could potentially stab yourself with the needle.
How do you get a blood sample from a dog?
In some situations, getting a blood sample must be done quickly and there may be a large amount of stress on you as a technician to do this. A useful method for obtaining a blood sample for the beginning veterinary technician is to draw it from the cephalic vein. Restrain the dog so that taking the blood sample does not become a fight.

What are the three main blood collection sites in dogs?
As shown in the figure, the major sites of blood collection in your pet is jugular vein, cephalic vein and saphenous vein. Depending on certain cases like, if you need large quantity of samples, then collection from jugular vein is preferred, as it's a big vein and carries large quantity of blood from the body.
How do they draw blood from a dog?
0:421:47How to Do a Canine Cephalic Vein Blood Collection - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipShe's going to hold off the vein while rolling outward so that it kind of puts the vein along theMoreShe's going to hold off the vein while rolling outward so that it kind of puts the vein along the top of the leg. When I wet the vein with alcohol.
Does taking blood from a dog hurt?
Relax, don't worry when your pet is having a blood draw; most blood draws are quick and painless. Occasionally there may be some bruising and a temporary bandage is placed over the blood draw site.
Do they draw blood from a dog's neck?
Most blood samples are taken from the jugular vein in the neck. This vein is large enough to provide a good sample and allows us to collect the blood as quickly as possible. This is important as blood will start to clot if it is not collected swiftly and this can affect the results.
Where do they draw blood?
Most of the time, blood is drawn from a vein located on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). An elastic band is put around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area. This makes the vein below it swell with blood.
How do vets do blood tests on dogs?
Blood tests Samples are usually taken from a vein in the leg or neck using a hypodermic needle and syringe. A patch of fur over the vein is shaved and the skin disinfected with surgical alcohol to clean the skin and allow your vet to see the vein more easily.
How do you draw blood from a difficult dog?
To train for drawing blood, position yourself next to your dog's back leg while they are standing. Gently squeeze their leg below the knee and treat and release. Next, squeeze their leg, stroke the skin above their hock with the fingers of your other hand, and treat and release.
Are dogs still used in animal testing?
On average, more than 60,000 dogs are used in experiments each year. In 2021, laboratories reported having 43,685 dogs in their possession, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Should dogs eat before blood work?
If possible, do not feed your pet for about 6 hours before your appointment. Fasting helps to clear the blood of lipemia, fat droplets that appear after eating. Lipemia can interfere with some blood tests and make the results difficult to interpret. Keep water available.
How do vet techs draw blood?
1:543:54Vet Tech Tips and Ticks | Drawing Blood - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt is on the neck. You can draw blood for cats or dogs in this same location we do both at theMoreIt is on the neck. You can draw blood for cats or dogs in this same location we do both at the animal hospital we also use the lateral Safinaz. Which is on the outside of the leg.
Do they shave dogs to take blood?
To take the sample, a patch of hair is shaved over the jugular vein which runs down the side of the neck, to one side of the windpipe and a needle is inserted to collect the blood. Most animals tolerate this quite well with the gentle yet firm restraint that we green fairies have down to a fine art.
Where is my dogs jugular vein?
1:173:08How to Do a Canine Jugular Venipuncture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAegis is kind of fluffy all around but you can sort of see he's got calyx. Here often times you willMoreAegis is kind of fluffy all around but you can sort of see he's got calyx. Here often times you will be able to find the jugular vein along those calyx.
How long does a blood test take for a dog?
Some might take 30, 45 minutes, but they are essentially immediate. And then, if we send those out, some have a 24 to 48-hour turnaround, and some might have a two-week turnaround. So, it depends on the test.
Where is the jugular vein on a dog?
NARRATOR The central vein that is commonly used for blood collection is the jugular vein. This vein runs along either side of the neck. The handler can stand on either side of the animal when collecting a sample from the jugular.
Where is my dogs jugular vein?
1:173:08How to Do a Canine Jugular Venipuncture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAegis is kind of fluffy all around but you can sort of see he's got calyx. Here often times you willMoreAegis is kind of fluffy all around but you can sort of see he's got calyx. Here often times you will be able to find the jugular vein along those calyx.
What is a jugular draw?
0:036:04How to Draw Blood From a Dog's Jugular Vein - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt i'm going to close off both thoracic inlets so the blood is backing up and it's filling up theMoreIt i'm going to close off both thoracic inlets so the blood is backing up and it's filling up the veins on both sides and that helps it stand out so we'll wet it down with a little rubbing. Alcohol.
What is venipuncture in veterinary?
As a veterinary technician, you must understand the process of drawing blood, also known as venipuncture. In some situations, getting a blood sample must be done quickly and there may be a large amount of stress on you as a technician to do this. A useful method for obtaining a blood sample for the beginning veterinary technician is to draw it ...
Where to shave a dog's leg?
Shave the area just below the elbow on the top of the leg. Find the olecranon process and where the leg bends at the elbow joint, shave where the cephalic vein is most prominent. In some dogs, the cephalic vein is not as prominent and you may have to draw from the jugular vein. If drawing a sample from the jugular vein, ...
How to pulsate a leg?
Your assistant can do this by letting up on the pressure exerted by her thumb on the cephalic vein and then quickly reapplying the pressure so that the vein will fill with blood again.
What needle is best for blood draw?
Typically, a 22G needle (blue needle) works for most blood draws. In larger breed dogs, an 18G needle will be better and the blood sample will be obtained much more quickly. Advertisement.
How to stop a dog from moving its leg back?
Occlude the cephalic vein by having your helper hold off the vein. This is done by placing your hand under the elbow so that the dog cannot move its leg back and taking your thumb over the top of the leg and applying pressure so that the cephalic vein will fill with blood and become more visible.
How long to apply pressure to venipuncture site?
Apply pressure over the venipuncture site for 30 seconds and then apply a cotton ball and vetwrap around the area to maintain pressure over the site.
What to do if you don't have a blood sample?
If you have no help to obtain a blood sample, apply a tourniquet and muzzle on the dog. Taking blood samples is an important aspect of veterinary medicine. Many diseases are diagnosed based on serum biochemistry. As a veterinary technician, you must understand the process of drawing blood, also known as venipuncture.
How often can you donate blood to a dog?
Just as with humans, animal donors are checked for infectious diseases and must meet a weight requirement. They can only donate once every couple of months. Apparently some veterinarians used to keep a few dogs and cats in their facilities for the express purpose of blood donation in emergency situations. There are now national, regional and local veterinary blood banks. And some people make their pets available as local donors.
How many blood types do dogs have?
Dogs have about a dozen blood type groups and cats have three groups with some variation within each group. Generally the donor and recipient animals must be matched, though dogs with A negative blood are universal donors. Cats have no universal donors, but almost all domestic shorthair cats have type A blood. Certain purebred cat varieties tend to have Type B blood or, rarely, type AB.
Can animals donate blood?
I used to work as a veterinary technician and to be honest with you, I had never heard of this before. Turns out animals donate and receive blood transfusions from others of their species, and the process is very similar to human transfusions. But you can’t exactly call the donors “volunteers” and they probably aren’t offered juice and cookies.
Is there artificial blood for dogs?
There is now an artificial blood on the market for dogs. “Oxyglobin” is derived from cattle blood and costs $150 a unit. The FDA approved it in 1998 and at some point such a product may be available for humans, too.
Who writes the staff report?
STAFF REPORTS ARE WRITTEN BY THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD, CECIL'S ONLINE AUXILIARY. THOUGH THE SDSAB DOES ITS BEST, THESE COLUMNS ARE EDITED BY ED ZOTTI, NOT CECIL, SO ACCURACYWISE YOU'D BETTER KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED.
