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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|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)]]
===Ventral Tail Vein===
Ensure that the lizard is adequately restrained. When anaesthetised position in dorsal recumbency.
Unsedated iguanas can be placed on an examination table with the tail held over the edge and approached from below or hung from a wire cage door.
Follow these steps:
*Prepare skin aseptically.
*Use needle size - 21 to 25 gauge.
*Direct needle at 45 to 90 degrees at ventral midline.
*Advance the needle while maintaining slight negative pressure until blood is observed or contact is made with the ventral surface of the vertebrae.
*If not successful, withdraw slightly or redirect the needle so that it is definitely in the midline.
===Ventral Abdominal Vein===
===Ventral Abdominal Vein===
The heart is not recommended for cardiocentesis because of the risk of haemopericardium.
The heart is not recommended for cardiocentesis because of the risk of haemopericardium.
===Ventral Tail Vein===
==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 (Weigh accurately and make the calculations before blood is withdrawn!)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.
==Blood handling==
Requirements for blood handling: two blood collection tubes with lithium heparin (a 0.5 ml orange top tube and a 1.0ml green top tube with gel) and four microscope coverslips (or three microscope slides). Put 0.5 ml of blood into the 0.5 ml tube (for haematology) and 1.0 ml into the 1.0 ml tube (for biochemistry). From the small amount of blood left in the needle make two blood films. Air-dried thin smears give superior cell morphology compared to samples with anticoagulants; EDTA may lyse cells and heparin gives a bluish tinge. 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.