Blood Collection in Ferrets

All but the weakest ferrets can be challenging to restrain for blood collection. Consider sedation or general anesthesia, particularly if the handler or phlebotomist is relatively inexperienced; however remember that anesthesia can affect ferret hematology.

Use this video clip or article with still images to review equipment needed, and potential venipuncture sites including the jugular vein, cranial vena cava, lateral saphenous vein, and cephalic vein . . .


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References

Brown C. Blood collection from the cranial vena cava of the ferret. Lab Anim 35(9):23-24, 2006.

Dyer SM, Cervasio EL. An overview of restraint and blood collection techniques in exotic pet practice. Vet Clin North Am Exotic Anim 11(3):423–443, 2008.

Hem A, Smith AJ, Solberg P. Saphenous vein puncture for blood sampling of the mouse, rat, hamster, gerbil, guinea pig, ferret and mink. Lab Anim 32(4):364-368, 1998.

Joslin JO. Blood collection techniques in exotic small mammals. J Exotic Pet Med 18(2):117-139, 2009.

Marini RP, Callahan RJ, Jackson LR, et al. Distribution of technetium 99m-labeled red blood cells during isoflurane anesthesia in ferrets. Am J Vet Res 158(7):781–785, 1997.

Marini RP, Jackson LR, Esteves MI, et al. Effect of isoflurane on hematological variables in ferrets. Am J Vet Res 55(10):1479–1483, 1994.

Mitchell MA, Tully TN (eds). Manual of Exotic Pet Practice. St. Louis, Missouri: Saunders; 2009.

Murray MJ. Rabbit and ferret sampling and artifact considerations. In: Fudge AM editors. Laboratory Medicine Avian and Exotic Pets. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2000: 265–268.

Quesenberry KE, Orcutt C. Basic approach to veterinary care. Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Saunders; 2012. Pp. 17-18.

To cite this page:

Pollock C, Echols MS. Blood collection in ferrets. March 17, 2013. LafeberVet Web site. Available at https://lafeber.com/vet/blood-collection-in-ferrets/