Post by wyomama on Sept 18, 2004 11:26:39 GMT -5
You'll need a helper and have all your necessary equipment right at hand. Also throw away the needle you used to to try tailbleeding -- it will be too dull now (been there, done that!)
Put her in a headgate or stanchion.
Have the helper pull her head all the way around to her right side, exposing and stretching the left side of her neck, and snub the rope down (don't tie it, if she struggles and falls, you'll want to be able to release her immediately).
These instructions are for a right-handed person, reverse if you're left-handed.
With your left hand pinch off the vein (and keep it pinched until you remove the needle). I put my hand around their throat, and use my thumb to pinch off the vein.
As the vein starts to swell, use your right hand to swab it with alcohol. Holding your syringe in the palm of your right hand, firmly slap the vein a couple of times with the BACK of your right hand to tighten and firm the walls. Slapping the vein also reduces the sting of the needle and will make for an easier blood draw.
Insert the needle at a 45' angle, the skin will be very resistant, so you'll have to give a bit of a jab. When the skin gives way and the needle goes in, you should be in the vein. Hold the syringe with your index and middle fingers while pulling the plunger back with your thumb and ring, or little, finger. If you don't get blood, push the needle in further (it's a HUGE vein, more likely to not be all the way in it, than have gone through it). The syringe will fill quickly, the blood comes out under pressure. When your syringe is full, release the vein first and then withdraw the needle. Swab again with alcohol.
I draw blood with a 3cc 18 guage 1-1/2" needle, then deposit the blood into the vacutainer. I never could get all the movements down to draw the blood with the vacutainer holder!
Ann B
Put her in a headgate or stanchion.
Have the helper pull her head all the way around to her right side, exposing and stretching the left side of her neck, and snub the rope down (don't tie it, if she struggles and falls, you'll want to be able to release her immediately).
These instructions are for a right-handed person, reverse if you're left-handed.
With your left hand pinch off the vein (and keep it pinched until you remove the needle). I put my hand around their throat, and use my thumb to pinch off the vein.
As the vein starts to swell, use your right hand to swab it with alcohol. Holding your syringe in the palm of your right hand, firmly slap the vein a couple of times with the BACK of your right hand to tighten and firm the walls. Slapping the vein also reduces the sting of the needle and will make for an easier blood draw.
Insert the needle at a 45' angle, the skin will be very resistant, so you'll have to give a bit of a jab. When the skin gives way and the needle goes in, you should be in the vein. Hold the syringe with your index and middle fingers while pulling the plunger back with your thumb and ring, or little, finger. If you don't get blood, push the needle in further (it's a HUGE vein, more likely to not be all the way in it, than have gone through it). The syringe will fill quickly, the blood comes out under pressure. When your syringe is full, release the vein first and then withdraw the needle. Swab again with alcohol.
I draw blood with a 3cc 18 guage 1-1/2" needle, then deposit the blood into the vacutainer. I never could get all the movements down to draw the blood with the vacutainer holder!
Ann B