Download the doc version here

I. Purpose

The purpose of this guideline is to provide recommended blood sampling volumes and guidance on a variety of acceptable blood collection techniques.

II. Scope

This guideline applies to all personnel collecting blood samples from agricultural animals.

III. Guidance

  1. General Information
    1. The acceptable quantity and frequency of blood sampling is determined by the circulating blood volume and the red blood cell (RBC) turnover rate.
    2. For optimal health, blood draws should be limited to the lower end of the range. Maximum blood volumes should be taken only from healthy animals.
    3. The approximate circulating blood volume of an animal is 55-70 ml/kg. A blood volume estimate for a single species may not reflect differences among individual breeds or variations due to age, size, or illness. In older or obese animals, circulating blood volume can be decreased as much as 15%.      

                     Of the circulating blood volume, the following collection volumes and recovery periods listed in Table 1                               below should be applied.

                Table 1: Collection Volumes & Recovery Periods

Blood Volume Amount
Recovery Period
          No More than 1% blood volume
24 hours
No More than 7.5% blood volume
1 week
10% blood volume
10 days
15% blood volume
15 days

 

Table 2: Circulating Blood Volume & Examples of Maximal Survival Collection Calculation.

Species
Circulating Blood Volume (ml/kg)
Average Adult Body Weight
Blood Volume
Maximum Survival Collection Volume (10% of circulating blood volume)
Pig (large)
65
110 kg
7.15 L
715 ml
Sheep
60
60 kg
3.6 L
360 ml
Goat
70
45 kg
3.15 L
315 ml
Cattle
60
520 kg
31.2 L
3.12 L
Horse
75
400 kg
30 L
3 L
Chicken
60
2.5 kg
150 ml
15 ml

 

Table 3: Blood collection sites for multiple species.

Species
Site
Pig
Marginal ear vein, jugular vein, cephalic vein cranial vena cava
Sheep
Jugular,cephalic, and femoral veins
Goat
Jugular, cephalic and femoral veins
Cattle
Jugular and coccygeal veins
Horse
Jugular, transverse facial, cephalic, and saphenous veins
Chicken
Brachial and jugular veins

 

               4. Fluid Replacement 

                   If replacement fluids are provided (equal volume of blood removed) (0.9% saline, Lactated Ringer’s                                       solution), up to 15% of circulating blood volume may be collected at one time. A 4-week recovery period                             is required before additional blood can be collected.

               5. Although blood volume is rapidly restored in an animal after blood collection, the recovery periods                                       required for blood constituents (e.g., red blood cells, platelets, clotting factors) to be regenerated by the                             body. Hemostasis after collection can be achieved by using a silver nitrate stick, Quick Stop powder or                                 by applying a gauze sponge over the site with gentle pressure until the bleeding stops.       

AACUC Approval Date: November 21, 2022

Review Date:  November 21, 2022

Issue Date:  December 2, 2022