• Technique
• Summary
• Resources and references
• Abdominal/thoracic sampling in other animals
• All blood sampling techniques in the guinea pig

Please read the general principles of blood sampling page before attempting any blood sampling procedure.

Technique

Appropriate for all strains, this is a suitable technique to obtain a single, large, good quality blood sample from a euthanised guinea pig or a guinea pig under terminal anaesthesia. A sample volume of 10 - 15ml can be collected depending on the size of the guinea pig. As the heart is not punctured, this technique can be used where it is necessary to avoid cardiac damage.

Blood is collected either from the abdominal aorta, caudal or dorsal aorta or vena cava via a laparotomy or thoracotomy. Removal of connective tissue and application of finger pressure may be necessary to dilate the vessel. Blood should be withdrawn slowly to prevent the vessel collapsing. Deep surgical anaesthesia is necessary and correct aseptic technique should be used.

Summary

Resources and references

• Parasuraman S, Raveendran R, Kesavan R (2010). Blood sample collection in small laboratory animals. Journal of pharmacology & pharmacotherapeutics, 1(2): 87
• Morton DB, Jennings M, Buckwell A, Ewbank R, Godfrey C, Holgate B, Verschoyle R (2001). Refining procedures for the administration of substances. Laboratory animals, 35(1): 1-41

Abdominal/thoracic sampling in other animals

All blood sampling techniques in the guinea pig