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The anatomy of mice and rats is identical so we believe we will be successful. The point lengths we use for mice (4mm, 5mm, & 5.5mm) are not long enough to draw sufficient amounts of blood from rats, their skin and tissues are thicker than mice and require a longer point. We will post notice on this web page as soon as our experiments are complete. Please come back to this web page periodically for updates. You can use Goldenrod Lancets on the Saphenous Vein of rats, see below. |
MEDIpoint is currently testing Goldenrod Animal Lancets on RATS.
Goldenrod Animal Lancets work very well drawing blood from the Saphenous Vein of Rats and Guinea Pigs, better and less expensive than a hypodermic needle. We recommend using the 5mm point length.
Unanesthetized rats can be manually restrained for access to the saphenous vessel.
One rear leg is isolated and a scalpel blade used to bluntly remove hair over the vessel.
A small amount of Puralube ® ointment is applied topically prior to pricking the vein with a 3mm MEDIpoint Goldenrod Animal Lancet (Fig 1). The Puralube ointment allows the blood drop to remain localized and away from the skin and hair on the leg (Fig 2).
Approximately 4 - 5 drops of whole blood (~100 µl) can then be directly collected into a collection tube, prior to sample analysis (Fig 3).
Blood flow can be stopped at any time by applying a compress to the site for a few moments.
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.
How to Draw Blood from the Saphenous Vein of Rats & Guinea Pigs
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
For Taking Blood Samples from small animals
Draw blood from 1000 Rats for only $45 dollars
MEDIpoint, Inc.
MEDIpoint International, Inc.
