Venipuncture of dogs and cats

• Proper & Safe Restraint• Where To Find A Vein

Alana C. McQuarry, DVM, MPVMDrAlanaDVM@gmail.com July 25, 2011 Consumnes River College

SAFETY FIRST!

Avoid injury

Jugular Vein

Cephalic Vein

Evans. Anatomy of the Dog p.686

Sites for venipuncture• Cephalic veins

(front of front legs)– Easiest with

holder to hold front leg & restrain head• Hold behind

elbow • Use thumb to

roll vein to outside

• While rolling, push down firmly with thumb

Dyce. Veterinary Anatomy p. 287

Sites for venipuncture• Lateral saphenous veins (outside

lower rear legs)– Useful for head shy or anxious dogs

Sites for venipuncture• Medial saphenous veins (inside upper rear legs)– Good site for collecting blood sample from cats

Sites for venipuncture• Jugular veins (neck)– Holder is critical: • neck position makes

this very easy or very hard to do

Questions?