Recommendations for venipuncture sites in native wildlife

Question 1

venipuncture defintion

Answer 1

where to draw their blood from

Question 2

badgers river otters, skunks,coyotes,foxes,raccoons,bobcats,lynx venipuncture

Answer 2

medial saphenous vein, lateral saphenous vein, jugular vein, cephalic vein, ventral coccygeal vein, femoral vein, cranial vena cava (in otters)

Question 3

Opossums venipuncture

Answer 3

lateral coccygeal and ventral til vein/artery, cephalic vein, saphenous vein, pound vein in females

Question 4

rabbits and hares venipuncture

Answer 4

jugular vein, cephalic vein, femoral vein, lateral saphenous vein

Question 5

wild rodents

Answer 5

small rodents often require cranial vena cava venipuncture under anesthesia; larger species have accessible jugular veins, cephalic veins, and medial and lateral saphenous veins; beavers have accessible tails vein

Question 6

birds of prey

Answer 6

jugular vein (right is larger), basilica vein in either wing, medial metatarsal vein (use caution when working near talons

Question 7

passerines, woodpeckers, doves, etc

Answer 7

right jugular vein is preferred; jugular vein and basilica veins are alternative site

Question 8

Waterfowl, pelagic, and wading birds

Answer 8

medial metatarsal vein is preferred, jugular vein and basilica veins are secondary sources

Question 9

insectivorous bats

Answer 9

heart (snakes >200 g; dorsal recumbency; insertion of needle under central abdominal scale at 45 degrees angle caudal to heart; perpendicular fluid contamination can occur), or ventral coccygeal vein; venomous snakes should only be handled by professionals using appropriate equipment (tongs, hooks, clear snake-handling tubes)

Question 10

chelonians

Answer 10

jugular, dorsal venous sinus/dorsal coccygeal vein, subcarapacial venous sinus; less commonly used vessels include brachial venous plexus, femoral venous plexus, and femoral vein; all sites except the jugular vein may be subject to lymph contamination

Question 11

lizards

Answer 11

ventral coccygeal vein (accessed laterally or ventrally), jugular, ventral abonminal/ coelomic vein)