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[[Image:Lizard_bloodsites2.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Blood collection sites in a lizard''' (Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]

[[Image:Lizard_bloodsites2.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Blood collection sites in a lizard''' (Copyright © RVC)]]

[[Image:Bloodtake_1.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Blood taking from the ventral tail vein''' (Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]

[[Image:Bloodtake_1.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Blood taking from the ventral tail vein''' (Copyright © RVC)]]

The ventral tail vein is the preferred site of venipuncture in lizards but be very careful in species that are capable of [[Autotomy|autotomy]]. Analysis of blood include [[Lizard and Snake Haemotology|haematology]] and [[Lizard and Snake Biochemistry|biochemistry]].

The ventral tail vein is the preferred site of venipuncture in lizards but be very careful in species that are capable of [[Autotomy|autotomy]]. Analysis of blood includes [[Lizard and Snake Haemotology|haematology]] and [[Lizard and Snake Biochemistry|biochemistry]].

==Sites==

==Sites==

===Ventral Abdominal Vein===

===Ventral Abdominal Vein===

The ventral abdominal vein is a large vein 1-2 mm within the coelomic cavity on ventral midline between the umbilical scar and pelvic inlet. Care is advised since the coelomic cavity has a large capacity if there is continued bleeding after venipuncture.

The [[Ventral abdominal vein|ventral abdominal vein]] is a large vein 1-2 mm within the coelomic cavity on ventral midline between the umbilical scar and pelvic inlet. Care is advised since the coelomic cavity has a large capacity if there is continued bleeding after venipuncture.

===Toenail Clip===

===Toenail Clip===

==Amounts==

==Amounts==

In reptiles the total blood volume varies with species but is approximately 5-8% bodyweight. The maximum that can be drawn safely is 10% of the total blood volume. A 100 g reptile can therefore have 0.5 ml safely taken. (Weigh accurately and make the calculations before blood is withdrawn!). Though microtechniques for biochemistry are available in some laboratories, it is generally advisable to take 1.5 ml of blood for complete haematology and biochemistry.

In reptiles the total blood volume varies with species but is approximately 5-8% bodyweight. The maximum that can be drawn safely is 10% of the total blood volume. A 100 g reptile can therefore have 0.5 ml safely taken. (Weigh accurately and make the calculations before blood is withdrawn!). Though microtechniques for biochemistry are available in some laboratories, it is generally advisable to take 1.5 ml of blood for complete [[Lizard and Snake Haemotology|haematology]] and [[Lizard and Snake Biochemistry|biochemistry]].

==Blood handling==

==Blood handling==

*Slide smears are adequate but coverslip smears are superior.  

*Slide smears are adequate but coverslip smears are superior.  

*Centrifuge the 1.0 ml tube and harvest the plasma which is above the gel while the cells are below it.

*Centrifuge the 1.0 ml tube and harvest the plasma which is above the gel while the cells are below it.

[[Category:Lizard Specimen Collection|B]]

 

[[Category:Lizard Diagnostics|B]]