Can you draw blood from a rabbit?
Drawing blood from a rabbit is often time-consuming, because it can be difficult to utilize either the jugular vein in the neck or the cephalic vein in the front leg, common sites (with strong blood flow) for drawing blood from cats and dogs. Although these sites are possible with rabbits, assuming that 1-3 cc's are required...
Can you draw blood from a rabbit cephalic vein?
The cephalic vein is accessible for a blood draw depending on the size of the rabbit. Due to the short antebrachial length and small vein size drawing blood from a cephalic vein is easier on larger breeds of rabbits. Restraining a rabbit for a cephalic blood draw is similar to a cat or dog.
Where do you phlebotomize a rabbit?
Although these sites are possible with rabbits, assuming that 1-3 cc's are required (as they usually are for a chemistry and CBC), the most convenient place to phlebotomize the rabbit is the ear, using either the large veins or the central artery.
How do you restraint a bleeding rabbit?
Restraint involves firmly holding the rabbit on its side and extending the rear leg while simultaneously holding pressure around the stifle to facilitate blood collection. If necessary, the rabbit should be wrapped in a towel “bunny burrito” style.
How do you collect blood from a rabbit?
Extend the ear away from the rabbit's head to provide a flat surface and insert the needle into the artery. Once blood begins to flow, lower the ear and position the receptacle under the needle for blood collection. Occasionally, the artery may constrict during the collection process, shutting off the flow of blood.
What veins can be used to collect blood from a rabbit?
The marginal ear vein is the most common site for collection of small blood samples in the unanesthetized rabbit and can be used for single or repeat samples of 1–5 ml. The rabbit should be restrained as described above and the ear warmed by gentle stroking or using a lamp.
Can you take blood from rabbit jugular?
Common sites used for venipuncture in rabbits include the jugular vein, the lateral saphenous vein, the cephalic vein, the marginal ear vein and the central ear artery. The cephalic vein is usually preserved for IV catheter placement (Graham and Mader, 2012).
What area do you draw blood from?
antecubital fossaThe most common vein is the antecubital fossa; however, the median cephalic and median basilic vein are also used. Place a tourniquet and clean the area for 30 seconds with an alcohol wipe.
Where is the jugular vein found?
The jugular veins are found in the neck. There is a pair of internal jugular veins (right and left) and a pair of external jugular veins. They are the main path for deoxygenated blood returning from the cranium back to the heart.
Where is the jugular vein?
neckJugular Vein. The jugular veins include three pairs of veins in your neck. The three pairs are the interior, exterior and anterior veins. These veins are important because they return blood from your brain back toward your heart.
How much blood is in a rabbit?
The blood volume of a healthy rabbit is approximately 55 to 65 mL/kg, and 6% to 10% of the blood volume may be safely collected.
Do rabbits have arteries?
rabbit's coronary arteries are a predominant- ly intramyocardial course of even the main trunks, and an early divergence of both the main right and left coronary arteries from the AV sulcus.
What is lateral saphenous vein?
Specifically, the lateral saphenous vein is a “superficial vein of the lower hind limb that wraps proximally from the cranial aspect of the tarsus across the lateral surface of the leg to the caudal aspect of the stifle.”2 A small to moderate volume of blood can be collected from the lateral saphenous vein of rodents.
What are the 5 sites for venipuncture?
23: Anatomy for VenipunctureDorsum of the Hand.Wrist.Forearm.Antecubital Fossa.Foot.
What is the easiest way to find veins?
Tips and Tricks for Accessing Problem VeinsGet warm. When the body is warm, blood flow increases, dilating the veins and making them easier to find and stick. ... Use gravity. Increase blood flow to your arm and hand by letting gravity do the work. ... Hydrate. When the body is properly hydrated, veins become more dilated. ... Relax.
What is the most critical error a phlebotomist can make?
What is the most critical error a phlebotomist can make? Misidentifying the patient or patient sample.
What is lateral saphenous vein?
Specifically, the lateral saphenous vein is a “superficial vein of the lower hind limb that wraps proximally from the cranial aspect of the tarsus across the lateral surface of the leg to the caudal aspect of the stifle.”2 A small to moderate volume of blood can be collected from the lateral saphenous vein of rodents.
What is rabbit blood used for?
Defibrinated rabbit blood is ideal for blood agar plate preparations. Blood Agar is a general purpose enriched medium often used to grow fastidious organisms and to differentiate bacteria based on their hemolytic properties.
Where do you put a catheter in a rabbit?
Commonly, catheters are placed in the cephalic or the lateral saphenous vein as these are the most accessible to place a catheter in. In the small rabbit use 24 or 26 gauge peripheral catheters and 22 gauge peripheral catheters in larger rabbits. Usually it is necessary to anesthetize the rabbit for catheter placement.
What is the vein behind the ear?
The posterior auricular vein is the name for a vein that is formed via the collection of several venous tributaries situated behind the ear.
Can rabbits draw blood?
Drawing blood from a rabbit is often time-consuming, because it can be difficult to utilize either the jugular vein in the neck or the cephalic vein in the front leg, common sites (with strong blood flow) for drawing blood from cats and dogs. Although these sites are possible with rabbits, assuming that 1-3 cc's are required (as they usually are for a chemistry and CBC), the most convenient place to phlebotomize the rabbit is the ear, using either the large veins or the central artery.
Can you rest your ear for a few minutes?
Several attempts are sometimes necessary to get enough blood, but the supply can be increased by "resting" the ear for a few minutes to let the veins refill. Actually, it is not always necessary to hold off the auricular veins at all; I have recently had success getting stronger blood flow by not doing so.
Can you anesthetize a rabbit?
There is no reason to anesthetize the rabbit for this procedure, since as long as it is performed gently and slowly, rabbits tolerate it well. Restraint usually involves leaning lightly on the rabbit's back while encircling the body with one arm. If necessary, the rabbit can be wrapped gently in a towel. To make the rabbit feel more comfortable, the assistant can rub the rabbit's forehead with one hand while holding off the vein at the base of the ear with the other.
How to draw blood from rabbit ears?
Rabbits are unique in having very accessible options on their ears for blood collection. You can use either the central artery or the marginal vein for a blood draw. You can also get a more than ample sample from the ear on your larger breeds, which is not the case with small breeds or young patients. Restraining for an ear draw is usually quite simple. Your assistant should lightly place a towel over the patient and let them stay in a sternal position. Using two fingers you can hold off the vein proximal to the venipuncture site and obtain your sample. If the blood collection is slow consider using a heparinized syringe. Once you have obtained your sample and removed your needle hold pressure on the site for 3-5 minutes and monitor the ear for bleeding over the next 15-20 minutes. The ear vein and artery have a tendency to develop thrombi leading to vascular ischemia, which ultimately causes necrosis of the affected area. Possible ear trauma may occur any time an ear is used for a blood draw; consider this prior to drawing blood.
Why is it so hard to do venipuncture on rabbits?
The difficult challenge of rabbit venipuncture can be due to either the patient or the phlebotomist. Not all rabbits are used to be handled which makes performing diagnostic tests difficult. On these patients consider either sedation with butorphanol or short term anesthesia with isoflurane.
What supplies are needed for a rabbit blood draw?
Supplies needed include hair clippers with fresh blade, alcohol, 1cc syringe with 23-27 gauge needle, blood collection tubes, +/- heparin, dry gauze pad, a towel, +/- sedation/anesthetic drugs and an assistant. The cephalic vein is accessible for a blood draw depending on the size of the rabbit.
Can you stretch rabbit legs for blood draw?
Restraining for a saphenous blood draw is similar to restraining a cat. The main difference is that you do not need to stretch them on their sides. Most rabbits will sit sternal and let you extend out one of their hind legs for the blood draw. It is a good idea to have a towel lightly draped over the patient.
Can rabbits be restraining?
The difference would include lightly wrapping them in a towel and always gently restraining their head s. The saphenous vein is located across the lateral aspect of the tibia and is accessible in most breeds.
Can rabbits draw blood from a cephalic vein?
The cephalic vein is accessible for a blood draw depending on the size of the rabbit. Due to the short antebrachial length and small vein size drawing blood from a cephalic vein is easier on larger breeds of rabbits. Restraining a rabbit for a cephalic blood draw is similar to a cat or dog.
Do you let a patient out of the towel?
Remember to let the patient out of the towel as soon as you are finished since they do have the tendency to overheat easily. As far as the phlebotomist goes, a cooperative patient, proper supplies, a good assistant and practice is the only way to go. There are several sites that can be used for blood collection.
What is needed for a cannulation?
Requirements include animal, anesthetic agent, cotton, 25G needle, animal warming chamber and blood sample collection tubes. Usually a temporary cannulation is made in the tail vein and used for a few hours. The animal is restrained and local anesthetic cream is applied on the tail (1 – 2 cm above the tail tip).
How is 23G collected?
A 23G needle is inserted into the blood vessel and blood is collected using a capillary tube or a syringe with a needle. In case of difficulties, 0.5 to 1 cm of surface of the skin is cut open and the vein is pricked with bleeding lancet or needle and blood is collected with a capillary tube or a syringe with a needle.
How to shave the back of the hind leg?
The back of the hind leg is shaved with electric trimmer until saphenous vein is visible. Hair removal cream can also be used.
What color are jugular veins?
The neck region of the animal is shaved and kept in hyperextended position. The jugular veins appear blue in color and is found 2 to 4 mm lateral to sternoclavicular junction.
How many attempts are made to get a symlink?
no more than three attempts are made
What needle is used to puncture dorsal pedal vein?
The foot is cleaned with absolute alcohol and dorsal pedal vein is punctured with 23G/27G needle.
How is blood collected in a vein?
The vein is punctured using a 20G needle and enough volume of blood is collected with a capillary tube or a syringe with a needle. The punctured site is compressed to stop the bleeding. While collecting blood: