For Taking Blood Samples from
small animals
*Always Use the Shortest Point Possible To Draw the Amount of Blood You Need
YOU CAN USE THE SUPERFICIAL TEMPORAL VEIN OR THE SAPHENOUS VEIN
For Use on Rats
Below Is a Recommended Point Length Chart for Rats and Various Other Animals
POINT LENGTHS*
MICE
3 MM - FOR ONLY 1 OR 2 DROPS
4 MM - UNDER 2 MONTHS
5 MM - 2 TO 6 MONTHS
5.5 MM - OVER 6 MONTHS
RATS
5.5 MM OR 6 MM - UNDER 3 MONTHS
6 MM OR 7 MM-3 TO 4 MONTHS
7 MM OR 8 MM - OVER 5 MONTHS
CHICKENS - 4 MM
PIGS - 5 MM
PRIMATES - 3 MM OR 4 MM
TATTOO IDENTIFICATION - 3 MM
To Draw Blood from the Superficial Temporal Vein, see the Video Below.
We thank John Arzadone, LVT, LAT for the Video Below, and his work in developing techniques for using Goldenrod Animal Lancets to draw blood from rats.
Saphenous Vein Blood Draw
Goldenrod Animal Lancets also work very well drawing blood from the Saphenous Vein of Rats and Guinea Pigs. Goldenrod lancets are better and less expensive than a hypodermic needle. We recommend using the 5mm point length.
MEDIpoint thanks Stender RN, Engler WJP, Braun TM, and Hankenson FC for their work in using Goldenrod Animal Lancets on rats and the information and pictures on this page. For more information please see their article, “Establishment of Blood Analyte Intervals for Laboratory Mice and Rats by Use of a Portable Clinical Analyzer. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 46(3): 47-52, 2007.