Blood Draw

Question 1

why do we draw blood?

Answer 1

• Basic preventive care- Heartworm, FIV/FeLV (cats)
• check organ function
• check RBCS, WBC, platelets
• send off panels- thyroid, allergy testing, phenobarbital levels

Question 2

Venipuncture Locations

Answer 2

• Cephalic ( front leg)
• Saphenous (back leg)
  lateral- Canine
  medial- feline
• jugular (neck)

Question 3

supplies needed for a blood draw

Answer 3

• items to clean the area
• clippers if shaving
• gloves
• needle
• syringe
• Vacutainer
• blood tubes
• gauze
• tape

Question 4

types of needles for injection

Answer 4

• 14 gauge (biggest)
• 15 gauge
• 16 gauge
• 18 gauge
• 20 gauge
• 21 gauge
• 22 gauge
• 23 gauge
• 25 gauge
• 27 gauge ( smallest)

Question 5

Procedure overview

Answer 5

• gather all supplies before attempting blood draw
• clean venipunture site with alcohol
• have restrainer occlude the vein
• visually and feel the vein
• insert the needle and syringe with the bevel up into the vein
• pull back on plunger during this process, blood will begin to fill your syringe
• once complete, pull out needle and have restrainer hold off area for 30- 60 second
• if collecting blood for tubes, quickly place blood into tubes the proper way ( via autofill or taking needle off)
• always invert tubes after adding blood ( avoid shaking)
• check patient to ensure bleeding has stopped. clean area with hydrogen peroxide if needed

Question 6

Cephalic Venipuncture ( Restraint)

Answer 6

• sternal, sitting, or standing
• if standing ensure patient cannot back up
• ensure head is restrained

Question 7

Cephalic Venipuncture ( leg extension)

Answer 7

• place hand behind elbow to ensure arm doesn’t retract

Question 8

Cephalic Venipuncture ( Occlusion)

Answer 8

• restrainer to occlude with thumb at elbow level
• roll vein from medial to lateral, then push forward slightly

Question 9

Saphenous Venipuncture - Lateral (Restraint)

Answer 9

• lateral recumbency or standing (large dogs)

Question 10

Saphenous Venipuncture - Lateral (occlude)

Answer 10

• grasp upper leg at stifle and place circumferential pressure

Question 11

Saphenous Venipuncture - Medial (restraint)

Answer 11

• lateral recumbency, kitty burrito

Question 12

Saphenous Venipuncture- medial (occlude)

Answer 12

• occlude vein with a “karate chop” at the proximal area of leg
• remember less is more with cats, don’t go straight to scuffing- try treats

Question 13

Jugular Venipuncture (restraint)

Answer 13

• sternal, sitting, or standing (make sure they can’t back up)
• hold head up to give visualization to the neck

Question 14

Marginal Ear Venipuncture

Answer 14

• purpose check for erythroparasites and monitor blood glucose

Question 15

Marginal Ear venipuncture procedure

Answer 15

• clean ear pinna
• nick marginal ear vein w/ 25 gauge needle or lancet
• massage area for a drop of blood
• apply pressure after for 15- 30 sec

Question 16

Arterial Blood sample collection

Answer 16

• used to assess pulmonary function by testing blood gas
• must have blood gas analyzer to run (iSTAT)
• most common artery used is dorsal metatarsal (pedal) arteries