Cephalic venipuncture - dog

SOP Description
Blood Draws
Job Level (Who should be able to perform the task)
Veterinary Technicians
Veterinary Assistants
Special Skills Needed
Understanding of anatomy
Knowledge of diagnostics being run
Approximate Time Needed
5 minutes
Equipment and Supplies MSDS Required YES NO
Syringe – size dependent on sample needed *
Needle – size dependent on sample needed *
Cotton ball *
Pressure wrap *
Alcohol *
Saline *
Blood tubes *
Pen/marker *

Instructions (step-by-step)

1. Have your restraining partner hold off the vessel or hold off the vessel yourself depending on the vessel being used. Palpate the vessel to isolate it (gloves are not required, but they are recommended).
2. If needed, apply alcohol to the vessel – this can be done by using a squeeze bottle directly on the skin or by applying alcohol to a cotton ball and using this to wet the skin. Do not use alcohol on broken skin and do not use spray bottles. Water or saline can be used instead of alcohol.
3. Lay your thumb next to vessel or stretch the vessel between your fingers to keep it from moving and rotate the syringe until the bevel of the needle is facing up. Pull back on the plunger to break the seal of the syringe then push the plunger all the way to 0ml.
4. Align the syringe to be close to parallel to the vessel (10-20% angle) and insert needle into the vessel. Draw back the plunger until you have the sufficient amount of sample.
5. Have your restraining partner let off pressure then remove the needle from the vessel. Put pressure on the venipuncture site with a cotton ball or a pressure bandage.
6. Fill your blood tubes to the level indicated on the tube. For glass tubes, pierce the top with the needle and allow the vacuum to pull out the blood. Do not push down on the plunger while filling the tube, this will lyse the cells. For plastic tubes, remove the lid of the blood tube and removed the needle from the syringe prior to filling the tubes. The fill order of tubes listed by Abaxis is as follows – sodium citrate, no additive, lithium heparin, EDTA.
7. Label your blood tubes with the patient’s name on the side of the tube and the doctor’s initials on the lid of the tube if applicable.

Person responsible for additional questions or information
Angie or Michelle