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Subtopic 1 - Activity

The level of difficulty for this activity would be considered moderate.  Prior knowledge of basic avian anatomy and physiology is required, as well as a knowledge of the safe methods of physical restraint in the avian species.  It is also helpful for the student to have skills in blood withdrawal on domestic mammalian species such as the dog or cat.

Instructions

1. This activity will be to participate in a wet lab. Venipuncture will be performed on the right jugular vein, the cutaneous ulnar vein and the caudal tibial vein. 
2. Demonstrate your understanding of this lesson by successfully performing the above blood withdrawal techniques for the instructor.

Materials & Equipment

The materials below should be fully assembled prior to restraining the bird for the procedure in order to reduce stress on the animal.

• A healthy bird from which to obtain the sample.  Pigeons and chickens are readily available and seem to handle stress better than psittacines. A healthy bird is preferred when initially doing an avian differential as there will be normal cells to identify
• A fellow student to restrain the bird for blood withdrawal
• Alcohol or water to wet the feathers for better visualization
• 1cc syringe with a 25gauge needle for each site blood is to be withdrawn
• A microcollection tube containing lithium heparin
• Water-moistened gauze for hemostasis
• Sharps container
• Disinfectant to clean work surface
• Hand disinfectant

Procedure for Jugular Blood Withdrawal

1. Wash hands.
2. Assemble the materials to be used.
3. Have your partner restrain the bird on its back with the head turned to the left to expose the right jugular vein that in most species is larger and more easily accessible than the left vein.
4. Use alcohol or water to wet the feathers so the vein can be visualized.
5. Use your thumb to hold off the vein in the jugular furrow, causing the vein to rise.
6. Collect the blood from the vein using a very small amount of pressure on the syringe barrel to prevent the vein from collapsing.
7. After a 1cc sample is collected, have your assistant hold off the vein with moistened gauze as you withdraw the needle to prevent hematoma formation.
8. After removing the needle to prevent hemolysis, put the sample into the microcollection tube with the lid removed.
9. Gently invert the tube three or four times to mix the blood with the anticoagulant.
10. Discard the needle and syringe in the sharps container.
11. Disinfect the work surface.
12. Wash hands with the hand disinfectant.

Procedure for Cutaneous Ulnar Vein Blood Withdrawal

1. Wash hands.
2. Assemble the materials to be used.
3. Have your partner restrain the bird on its back with one wing restrained at the shoulder joint and gently extended.
4. Moisten the feathers with alcohol or water to visualize the vein that crosses the humeral-radioulnar joint. (Elbow)
5. Use your thumb to hold off the vein on the proximal side of the joint, causing the vein to rise.
6. Collect the blood from the vein using a very small amount of pressure on the syringe barrel to prevent the vein from collapsing.
7. After a 1cc sample is collected, have your assistant hold off the vein with moistened gauze as you withdraw the needle to prevent hematoma formation.
8. After removing the needle to prevent hemolysis, put the sample into the microcollection tube with the lid removed.
9. Gently invert the tube three or four times to mix the blood with the anticoagulant.
10. Discard the needle and syringe in the sharps container.
11. Disinfect the work surface.
12. Wash hands with the hand disinfectant.

Procedure for Caudal Tibial Blood Withdrawal

1. Wash hands.
2. Assemble the materials to be used.
3. Have your partner restrain the bird in an upright position, with one leg extended gently.
4. Moisten the feathers with alcohol to visualize the vein, which runs on the medial side of the lower leg, just above the tarsal joint. 
5. Use you thumb to hold off the joint just proximal to the joint, causing the vein to rise.
6. Collect the blood from the vein using a very small amount of pressure on the syringe barrel to prevent the vein from collapsing.
7. After a 1cc sample is collected, have your assistant hold off the vein with moistened gauze as you withdraw the needle to prevent hematoma formation.
8. After removing the needle to prevent hemolysis, put the sample into the microcollection tube with the lid removed.
9. Gently invert the tube three or four times to mix the blood with the anticoagulant.
10. Discard the needle and syringe in the sharps container.
11. Disinfect the work surface.
12. Wash hands with the hand disinfectant.