Preparation
Your pet will need venipuncture if a veterinarian has determined it needs either a blood test, or fluids or medication through an intravenous (IV) method. The vet will sedate your pet with ketamine hydrochloride so he can find the best site to draw blood or insert an IV. Puncture sites vary depending on the type of animal and the quality of its blood vessels. Common sites include the front leg and neck. The area around the site will be shaved so the vet will have a better view of the underlying veins. He will choose a vein by feeling around and finding a prominent vein that will be easy to puncture. He will then apply a topical disinfectant containing iodine to the shaved area.
Procedure
Once your pet has been prepped, the vet will open a fresh IV kit that contains a sterilized needle, syringe and IV tube. He will squeeze the chosen vein between his fingers and slowly and carefully insert the needle. Blood will fill the back of the needle when it has successfully penetrated the vein. It may take two or three attempts. The vet will tape the needle in place to prevent it from shifting and attach the syringe or IV tube to the end of the needle. A syringe is used if a blood sample is needed or medication is being administered. The IV tube will be used to deliver fluids. After blood is drawn, the syringe or IV tube will be removed and the needle left in place if multiple samples or medications are needed. The vet will wake your pet up by administering yohimbine to counteract the ketamine. The needle will be withdrawn and the site disinfected again with iodine. A small bandage will then be placed over the puncture site.
Recovery
There are few side effects to venipuncture. There may be slight swelling or redness around the puncture site that usually clears up within hours. Your vet may want to keep your pet in the office for 30 minutes afterward to ensure it does not have an allergic reaction to any of the medications. Reactions are rare but they can lead to shock and even death. Symptoms of a reaction are shaking, stumbling and convulsions. The vet will administer a dose of adrenalin to counteract shock if your pet has a reaction.
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