ANSC-lecture 15-bleeding the cattle

Supplies needed to bleed the cattle

•A 18G x 1” or 20G x 1” collection needle

•Can use a 1 ½’’ length as well

•A vacutainer hub (or collar)

•Collection tubes

•Plasma (green or purple) or serum (red)

•Can also use a syringe with needle

•18G x 1”

•20G x 1”

Location for drawing blood?

• which is more common?

•Neck

•Jugular vein

•Need to restrain animal with a head catch

•Need halter –more work controlling animal

•

•Tail

•Coccygeal vein

•Used more often–less work controlling animal (minimal restraint; don’t have to head catch just get access to tail)

collection in the neck

•Run cattle through the chute

•Use a halter and turn the head to the side

•Use a quick release knot

•Apply pressure along the jugular groove until you can visualize swollen vein

•Can tap once swollen to know where to stick

•Insert needle at a slight angle; can be more perpendicular since vein is larger (less chances it goes all the way through compared to sheep & goats)

•Place tube into hub à Collect blood needed

•Remove needle & apply pressure at the injection site

•Remember to invert tube immediately after collection

collection from tail

•Run animal through the chute

•Place a metal pipe behind the legs for added safety

•Raise the tail vertically and straight up

•If not straight it will be more difficult

•Clean area with napkins if needed

•Place the needle in between the vertebra and in the center or midline where the coccygeal vein runs (feel with your fingers)

•If it feels like you hit bone you have hit the vertebra- readjust

•Work further away from tail head and move closer if hematoma occurs

•Once hub and needle are in place insert tube and hold until full

•If animal moves, leave hub and needle in place & worry about getting the tube in

start far out in case of a hematoma

Be aware

•Placing a halter might be difficult

•Some cattle are not used to a halter

•When you stick the needle, the animal will move

•If you are collecting with a hub and needle you can let go of the hub once it is in the neck or tail

•Go back in to place the tube into the hub and collect

•Using a syringe & needle you will need to stay with it after you stick

•Syringe is too heavy and will fall if not held