• Technique
• Summary
• Resources and references
• Saphenous vein technique in other animals
• All blood sampling techniques in the hamster

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

Technique

Sampling from the lateral saphenous vein is a relatively quick method of obtaining blood samples from hamsters. It does not require the animal to be warmed for sample collection.

Slides and videos of restraint and sampling for this technique are available on the websites of the Norwegian Reference Centre for Laboratory Animal Science and Alternatives and the University of Bergen.

Blood is collected from the lateral saphenous vein which runs dorsally and then laterally over the tarsal joint.   

Conscious hamsters should be restrained either manually or using a restraint tube. This can cause stress and therefore the duration of restraint should be minimised. Where a restraint tube is used, it should be appropriate for the size of the hamster. All forms of restraining equipment should be frequently washed to prevent pheromonally-induced stress or cross-infection.

To collect blood, the hind leg should be immobilised in the extended position by applying gentle downward pressure immediately above the knee joint. This stretches the skin over the ankle, making it easier to clip and immobilise the saphenous vein. Please note that hair removal by shaving with a scalpel blade is no longer recommended as it removes the epidermal layers of the skin. An aseptic technique should be used. Anaesthesia is not necessary but may be used on welfare grounds for animals that are difficult to hold. Where sedatives contain peripheral vasodilators, doses should be low to avoid prolonged bleeding from the puncture site. The number of attempts to take a blood sample should be minimised (no more than three needle sticks in any one attempt). Blood is collected by capillary action into a haematocrit tube or passively into a tube.

Blood flow can be stopped by gentle finger pressure over the puncture site, or simple relaxation of the operator's grip on the animal's leg. Animals should not be returned to their cage before the blood flow has stopped.

No more than four blood samples should be taken within any 24-hour period. If more samples are needed, then temporary or surgical cannulation should be considered. The scab or blood clot is removed for multiple samples.

Hamsters may show temporary favouring of the opposite limb following sampling from the saphenous vein.

Summary

Resources and references

• Hem A, Smith AJ, Solberg P (1998). Blood collection using the saphenous vein: An alternative to retro-orbital collection, Vivarium and the University of Bergen
• Diehl KH, et al (2001). A good practice guide to the administration of substances and removal of blood, including routes and volumes. Journal of Applied Toxicology 21.1: 15-23
• van Herck H, et al (2001). Blood sampling from the retro-orbital plexus, the saphenous vein and the tail vein in rats: comparative effects on selected behavioural and blood variables. Laboratory Animals 35(2): 131-139
• Luzzi M, et al (2005). Collecting blood from rodents: a discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum. Animal Technology and Welfare 4 (2) 99-102
• Abatan OI, Welch KB, Nemzek JA (2008). Evaluation of saphenous venipuncture and modified tail-clip blood collection in mice. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 47(3): 8-15
• Hem A, Smith AJ, Solberg P (1998). Saphenous vein puncture for blood sampling of the mouse, rat, hamster, gerbil, guinea pig, ferret and mink. Laboratory animals 32(4): 364-368