Technical Procedures 2 Flashcards
Collection of Blood and Other Samples
What are the ranges of safe blood collection volumes for the species discussed in class?
mice - =< 0.3 ml; rat - =< 3 ml; hamster - =< 1 ml; rabbit - =< 30 ml
Why may the use of a vacutainer for blood collection in rodents may not be successful?
It may collapse the vessel and prevent collection of blood
What are the common vessels used for tail blood collection? For what animals?
lateral tail veins (rats and mice)
What are the common vessels used for ear blood collection? For what animals?
marginal ear vein, central artery (rabbits)
What are the common vessels used for face blood collection? For what animals?
submandibular and facial veins (rats and mice)
What are the common vessels used for eye blood collection? For what animals?
retro-orbital sinus (rats, mice, hamsters)
What are the common vessels used for front legs blood collection? For what animals?
cephalic vein (rabbit)
What are the common vessels used for hind legs blood collection? For what animals?
lateral and medial saphenous veins (rats, mouse, hamster, gerbil); metatarsal vein (gerbil, guinea pigs)
What are several methods for promoting vasodilation to facilitate blood collection?
warm the whole animal or the area where the blood will be collected using a heating pad, heat lamp, warm water in glove, or dipping the tail in warm water
Why is indwelling catheter maintenance required?
It maintains sterility and prevents clots (thrombus) formation, contamination and release of emboli (piece of plaque of blood clot)
What are the steps are necessary to prevent thrombus formation?
after administration or blood collection, use a “heparin lock” solution to prevent clot formation. This a needle opening where the blood can be accessed and this process involves sterile saline/heparin solution to flush the catheter.
