venipuncture for collection of blood samples

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Association of Avian Veterinarians Venipuncture for Collection of Blood Samples Author(s): Keven Flammer Source: Journal of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, Vol. 3, No. 2 (Summer, 1989), p. 79 Published by: Association of Avian Veterinarians Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/30134918 . Accessed: 16/06/2014 05:30 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. . Association of Avian Veterinarians is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Journal of the Association of Avian Veterinarians. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded from 195.34.79.228 on Mon, 16 Jun 2014 05:30:06 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

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Association of Avian Veterinarians

Venipuncture for Collection of Blood SamplesAuthor(s): Keven FlammerSource: Journal of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, Vol. 3, No. 2 (Summer, 1989), p. 79Published by: Association of Avian VeterinariansStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/30134918 .

Accessed: 16/06/2014 05:30

Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at .http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp

.JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range ofcontent in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new formsof scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected].

.

Association of Avian Veterinarians is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access toJournal of the Association of Avian Veterinarians.

http://www.jstor.org

This content downloaded from 195.34.79.228 on Mon, 16 Jun 2014 05:30:06 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

Continues

labs to run eosinophil counts due to the processing and handling of blood samples. For these veterinarians, I would recommend they train someone to do the eosinophil count and send the rest of the white blood cell count to the lab - a simple enough system - and you could get immediate access to a very significant parameter, the total heterophil population.

A final point: there must be some practicality in a clinical prac- tice. We do have patients that we feel fortunate to harvest 2 drops of blood without killing them in the process. A blood smear and microhematocrit assessment is cer-

tainly be of value in these cases. It just shouldn't be used as the primary evaluation of white blood cell counts. - David McCluggage, DVM, Boulder, Colorado

Nail Clipping for Collection of Blood Samples

The nail clip technique still re- mains our preferred method for taking routine blood samples. This is less stressful than venipuncture and enables one to do repeated blood samples in order to monitor cases. Hemostasis is easy and sure with chemical cautery.

Low blood pressure can make it more difficult. Experience makes it easy once one learns how to relax the leg by locking the ankle, etc. Urinary residues can influence values but if the nail is visibly clean, this doesn't happen. Values are essentially the same as with venipuncture.

Venipuncture has its place but is

definitely more stressful and less appealing to the client. It can be difficult for beginners and can result in hematoma formation

especially if liver disease is pre- sent (which occurs in the vast ma- jority of sick birds). The last thing a sick bird needs is to be stretched out, then held for long periods of time to prevent hematoma forma- tion. Venipuncture also ruins the veins for therapy. I'd rather use the veins for IV injections than waste them on diagnostics. Using veins greatly limits our ability to repeat tests in hospitalized cases. Some of these cases may require IV fluids, antibiotics and 4 to 5 CBC's. - Walter J. Rosskopf, Jr., DVM, Hawthorne, California

Venipuncture for Collection of Blood Samples

I prefer to collect blood samples by venipuncture, preferentially of the jugular vein. As compared to nail clipping, venipuncture yields a more consistent sample and is the accepted procedure for all other species. I also find it quicker, less painful, and less stressful to the patient. Adequate amounts of unclotted blood can quickly be collected by venipunc- ture with minimal stress to the host. The disadvantages of venipuncture are the need for an additional person for restraint and hematoma formation (which can be minimized by proper procedure).

The major problem I've en- countered with samples collected from clipped nails is the presence of microclots (which often form

even when freely flowing blood is collected directly into heparanized tubes). These microclots interfere with hemacytometer blood cell counts, leaving only inaccurate estimated counts as an alternative. Nail clipping can also potentially alter both hematological and chemistry results by introducing tissue fluids and forcefully ex- truding cells from the capillary bed. - Keven Flammer, DVM, North Carolina State University, Raleigh

We would like to present point/counterpoint views on con- troversial avian topics in each issue. Because the Fall, 1989 issue will highlight avian therapeutics, readers are invited to address one side of a subject for which differing opinions have been ex- pressed. For example:

Vitamins in water vs. vitamins by other means. Intravenous fluids vs. subcutan- eous fluids. Antibiotics in water vs. inject- able antibiotics. Use of collars vs. not using col- lars, etc.

Contact AAV Education Office, 5770 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, FL 33463 (407) 439-2421.

VOL.3 NO.2 1989 79

This content downloaded from 195.34.79.228 on Mon, 16 Jun 2014 05:30:06 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions