Chelonian Venipuncture Techniques
Assoc Reptilian Amphibian Vet 9[1]:26-27 Spring'99 Review Article 1 Refs

- Blood collection for analysis is a basic facet of clinical management of vertebrates. The goal of this technique series is to demonstrate basic phlebotomy techniques to enhance the clinical management of reptiles by taxonomic group. The goal of this article is to outline venipuncture techniques for terrestrial and fresh water chelonians. The diversity of turtles and tortoises precludes any single dependable venipuncture site. By using knowledge of multiple sites, the clinician may select the best technique for the morphology of individual species. Because of the proximity of lymphatic vessels in chelonia, blood samples may contain lymph. Chelonian jugular venipuncture may be least likely to be lymph contaminated. Biochemical parameters may need to be evaluated with this consideration.