Blood Disposing and Handling

1. Blood Disposing and Handling Michael Lavoie Veterinary Assistant Program Middlesex Community College 12/19/12

2. Blood Vessels 1. Arteries --carry blood away from the heart --usually spurt blood when cut --all except the pulmonary artery carry oxygenated blood --thick walled and elastic pulse: expansion and contraction of the artery walls in response to the heartbeat

3. Veins --carry blood toward the heart --contain valves --closer to the body surface than the arteries --all except the pulmonary vein carry deoxygenated blood --thinner, less muscular and elastic than arteries --depend upon muscle and diaphragm movements for blood flow

4. Capillaries --most numerous vessels --connect arteries to veins --microscopic, one cell thick walls --site of much exchange between the blood and the intracellular fluid (lymph) by diffusion

5. Blood Composition • Plasma 55% (liquid part of the blood); Blood Cells 45%

6. The Parts of Blood • Plasma =carries everything 2. Red Blood Cells=(RBC) gas exchange 3. White blood Cells =(WBC) fight infection 4. Platelets = clotting

7. 55% plasma 45 % RBC, WBC and platelets

8. Plasma- nonliving • Yellow liquid (92% H2O) • 8 % nutrients, salts, urea, hormones • Carries: RBC, WBC, Platelets, Carbon dioxide, food and waste

9. BLOOD CELL TYPES • Red Blood Cells: • most numerous • biconcave disc shaped • smaller than white blood cells, larger than platelets • no nucleus when mature • produced in the red marrow of long bones • destroyed in the liver and spleen • contain the iron protein compound HEMOGLOBIN whose chief function is to combine with oxygen and carry it to the cells

10. Red Blood Cells-living • 5 million in 1 drop of blood (most common) • Shape = donut Draw here: • Made in bone marrow • Live approximately 120-125 days Hemoglobin = oxygen containing pigment • Binds to oxygen and carries it to the cells • Gives red blood cells its red color

11. White blood cells-living • AKA- Lymphocytes or Leukocytes • White blood cells are larger than red blood cells, but there are less of them. • 8000 in one drop of blood Function of White Blood Cells • surround and digest bacteria • Attack bacteria and viruses **Pus = WBC + dead bacteria YouTube - White Blood Cell Chases Bacteria

12. White Blood cells --largest blood cells--several different types --about 8,000 per drop of blood --most are formed in the bone marrow or in the lymph tissue --most protect the body against diseases by forming antibodies or engulfing bacteria

13. Main White Blood Cell Types • Phagocytes-- engulf bacteria and viruses by phagocytosis --able to leave the bloodstream and move between the cells of the body by squeezing through the capillary walls

14. 2. Lymphocytes--produce antibodies which clump bacterial poisons or bacteria (antigens) (antigens--foreign substances in the body)

15. Platelets-living • Bits of cells • Live for approximately 10days Function of Platelets • creates fibrin= enzyme that helps clot blood (tiny threads seal cuts)

16. 3. Platelets --smallest blood cells (fragments) --150,000 to 300,000 per drop of blood --needed for clotting

17. Clotting: Involves a series of enzyme controlled reactions resulting in the formation of protein fibers that trap blood cells and form a clot.

18. Restraint • Dogs, Cats, and Sheep: usually require only physical restraint to collect blood. • Swine: may require only physical restraint if they have been trained to the procedure. Otherwise, chemical restraint or sedation is recommended. • Rabbits, Mice and Rats: may be placed in appropriate restraining devices or chemically restrained with anesthetics or sedatives. • Birds: usually require only physical restraint to collect blood.

19. Blood Drawing • Cats and dogs can have blood drawn in many ways • Jugular • Cephalic • Saphenous veins

20. Dogs- Cephalic • Blood samples can be collected from the cephalic vein which is superficial and easily accessible. • The technique is quick and appropriate for taking small blood samples. • Blood is collected from the forelimb, starting distally (near the paw) and working proximally (away from paw). • Where multiple samples are taken, the use of the forelegs should be alternated

21. Cephalic • Aseptic technique should be used, including clipping the hair around the sampling site. • Blood should not be taken from a vein that has been used to administer intravenous drugs.

22. Volume • 3 - 5 ml of blood can be collected per sample and, depending on sample volume. • Normally no more than eight samples in a 24-hour period; more frequent sampling can cause the forelegs to become bruised. • The number of attempts to obtain blood should be minimized to a maximum of three needle sticks for each sample. • Bleeding should be stopped, before the dog is returned to its pen, by finger pressure to the sampling site for approximately 30 seconds.

24. Jugular Vein Restraint • The dog is usually in the sitting position. • The restrainer elevates head with one hand wrapped around muzzle and the nose directed upward.  • The front legs may also need to be controlled.  • The person taking blood in this case will hold off the jugular vein with one hand and draw the blood with the other hand.

25. The dog is restrained manually. • Sampling sites are alternated between the two jugular veins, starting distally at the base of the neck and moving towards the head along the jugular groove. • The vein is raised by compressing it just dorsal to the thoracic inlet, ventral to the venepuncture site. • Aseptic technique should be used, including clipping the hair around the sampling site.

26. 2- 20 ml of blood can be taken per sample and, depending on sample volume, up to eight samples in a 24-hour period; more frequent sampling can cause bruising. • The number of attempts to obtain blood should be minimized to a maximum of three needle sticks for each sample. • Bleeding should be stopped, before the dog is returned to its pen, by finger pressure to the sampling site for approximately 30 seconds.

28. Saphenous Vein Draw • The vein is located on the lateral hind leg above the hock joint, this vein collapses easier than others  and is used as a last resort usually.  • The patient may be standing or lying on it's side for the venipuncture.  • The vein is held off at or slightly below the stifle joint  by wrapping one hand around the leg and applying pressure, the other hand and arm are used to restrain the patient. • The person taking the blood steadies the lower leg and does the venipuncture with their other hand.

29. 3 - 5 ml of blood can be collected per sample and, depending on sample volume. • Normally no more than eight samples in a 24-hour period; more frequent sampling can cause the forelegs to become bruised. • The number of attempts to obtain blood should be minimized to a maximum of three needle sticks for each sample. • Bleeding should be stopped, before the dog is returned to its pen, by finger pressure to the sampling site for approximately 30 seconds.

31. Jugular on Cats • The jugular vein maybe the vein of choice depending on future medical procedures or the condition of other veins. • It is the largest peripheral vein.  • The cat is usually positioned over the edge of the table, a towel can be placed under the cat for comfort. • The restrainer is positioned behind and to the side of the patient. The front legs are held together (split finger position) and pulled downward with one hand.

32. The head is held and positioned with the other hand. • The position of the head is very important so that the jugular vein is adequately exposed. • The hand is wrapped around the head to keep the mouth closed and the nose is pointed upward.  • The jugular venipuncture can also be performed with the cat in dorsal recumbency (lying on it's stomach) in this case the cat is usually restrained in a bag or towel.

33. The cat is restrained manually. • Sampling sites are alternated between the two jugular veins, starting distally at the base of the neck and moving towards the head along the jugular groove. • The vein is raised by compressing it just dorsal to the thoracic inlet, ventral to the venepuncture site. • Aseptic technique should be used, including clipping the hair around the sampling site.

34. 3- 12 ml of blood can be taken per sample and, depending on sample volume, up to eight samples in a 24-hour period; more frequent sampling can cause bruising. • The number of attempts to obtain blood should be minimized to a maximum of three needle sticks for each sample. • Bleeding should be stopped, before the cat is returned to its pen, by finger pressure to the sampling site for approximately 30 seconds.

36. Cephalic Vein in Cats • Feline cephalic venipuncture is very similar to that of the dog. • The cat is placed in ventral recumbency (it can be in a bag or towel if needed). • A front leg is extended and the vein rolled outward and pressure applied to hold it off. • The head is controlled with the other hand and back legs controlled by the restrainer's body.

37. Blood samples can be collected from the cephalic vein which is superficial and easily accessible. • The technique is quick and appropriate for taking small blood samples. • Blood is collected from the forelimb, starting distally (near the paw) and working proximally (away from paw). • Where multiple samples are taken, the use of the forelegs should be alternated

38. Aseptic technique should be used, including clipping the hair around the sampling site. • Blood should not be taken from a vein that has been used to administer intravenous drugs.

39. 3 - 5 ml of blood can be collected per sample and, depending on sample volume. • Normally no more than eight samples in a 24-hour period; more frequent sampling can cause the forelegs to become bruised. • The number of attempts to obtain blood should be minimized to a maximum of three needle sticks for each sample. • Bleeding should be stopped, before the dog is returned to its pen, by finger pressure to the sampling site for approximately 30 seconds.

41. Femoral Blood draw on Cats • The femoral vein is located on the inside of the hind leg. • It is quite easily palpated and  superficial to the artery. • This vein is easily collapsed and easily double punctured.  • It is used for intravenous injection and small volume blood collection.

42. The cat is placed in lateral recumbency (usually in the stretch or scruff and stretch positions). • Blood is taken from the down leg (on the table). • The "up leg" and tail are held out of the way. • The heel of the hand holding the "up" leg is placed in the groin area to occlude the femoral vein (pressure is applied at the femoral triangle proximal to venipuncture site). • The restrainer holds the scruff and holds off the vein, the venipuncture "down" leg is held by the person taking the blood.

43. 3 - 5 ml of blood can be collected per sample and, depending on sample volume. • Normally no more than eight samples in a 24-hour period; more frequent sampling can cause the forelegs to become bruised. • The number of attempts to obtain blood should be minimized to a maximum of three needle sticks for each sample. • Bleeding should be stopped, before the dog is returned to its pen, by finger pressure to the sampling site for approximately 30 seconds.

45. Mouse and rat Blood sampling • The lateral tail vein is usually used and 50 ul to 0.2 ml of blood can be obtained per sample depending on the size of the animal and specific requirements. • .1-2ml of blood can be obtained from rats • The tail may need to be washed with diluted Hibiscrub (1%) in order to see the blood vessel. • To avoid bruising and damage to the tail, normally no more than two blood samples should be taken per session and in any one 24-hour period. • The number of attempts to take a blood sample should be minimized (no more than three needle sticks in any one attempt) and sufficient time should be given for the tail to recover between blood sampling sessions. • Alternate sides of the tail should be used and successive needle punctures moved towards the tail base.

46. Tail vein sampling is suitable for all strains but is more difficult in black or pigmented mice.  • t is quick and simple to perform for competent individuals.  • This technique may require the animals to be warmed in order to dilate the blood vessel prior to taking the sample. • This may be stressful and can cause dehydration due to salivation, in addition to increasing metabolic rate, which may affect the experimental data.

47. Saphenous vein draw • To collect blood, the hind leg should be immobilized 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 shave, and immobilizes the saphenous vein.  • Aseptic technique should be used.

49. Hamster Blood Draw: Saphenous • Conscious hamsters should be restrained either manually or using a restraint tube. • This can cause stress and therefore the duration of restraint should be minimized. • 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.

50. Saphenous vein • To collect blood, the hind leg, should be immobilized 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 shave, and immobilizes the saphenous vein. • Aseptic technique should be used.