1. Prepare the Collection Area

• Use electric shears to shave an area approximately 4 inches wide by 8 inches long on the animal’s neck.

• Shaving makes the jugular vein easier to see and provides a clean collection area.

2. Restrain the Animal Safely

If you are new to drawing blood, having someone assist you is recommended.

With assistance:

• Have the assistant hold the animal under the jaw and gently turn its head approximately 30 degrees away from the collection side.

• A second assistant or blocking stand may be helpful if the animal’s body also needs to be restrained.

Without assistance:

• This method is best for handlers who are comfortable drawing blood.

• Straddle the animal and position your knees behind its shoulders.

• Back the animal into a corner or against a wall to help control its hindquarters.

• Use your elbow and upper arm to hold the animal’s head approximately 30 degrees away from the collection side, leaving both hands available.

Always handle the animal gently and patiently. If the animal becomes difficult to control, pause and ask for assistance to protect everyone involved.

3. Locate and Clean the Jugular Vein

• Imagine a line running from the middle of the animal’s eye down the side of its neck.

• Apply gentle pressure with your thumb or fingers in the groove beside the trachea, below the midpoint of the shaved area. This should make the jugular vein easier to see and feel.

• Apply surgical scrub to clean gauze and squeeze out any excess.

• Begin cleaning at the center of the collection area and move outward. Do not wipe back across an area that has already been cleaned.

4. Prepare the Needle and Tube

• Use a new blood collection needle for every animal to prevent cross-contamination.

• Screw the Vacutainer needle onto the needle holder.

• Insert the tube into the holder until the stopper touches the back of the needle, but do not puncture the stopper yet.

5. Collect the Sample

• Continue applying pressure to the vein with one hand while guiding the needle toward the center of the vein with the other.

• Use only enough pressure to pass through the skin and enter the vein.

• When blood appears near the tube stopper, push the tube fully onto the needle to create the vacuum.

• Keep the needle beneath the skin while the tube fills. If suction is lost, use a new tube.

• Collect at least 2 cc (2 mL) of blood. Smaller samples cannot be tested.

If blood does not appear, gently pull the needle back until the tip reaches the outside wall of the vein, then carefully reposition it.
 

6. Remove and Label the Sample

• Release pressure from the vein before removing the needle.

• Gently withdraw the needle and press a fingertip over the collection site for several seconds to encourage clotting. 

• Follow Sample Submission Instructions for next steps.