Cattle blood sampling: rules and 3 execution techniques, possible mistakes

Treatment and preventive measures, as an integral part of veterinary supervision in the livestock industry, require close attention and regularity. Taking blood for analysis from cattle is an important preventive procedure, the technique of which depends on the reliability of the study, the safety of others and the further productivity of cows.

Preparing the animal

Blood sampling from cows is carried out to study its biochemical composition, exclude infectious diseases or confirm the alleged diagnosis. Venous blood is needed to test for leukemia, brucellosis, tuberculosis.To take material from a cow without causing harm to the he alth of the animal, it is necessary to properly prepare for the procedure. The optimal time for sampling is in the morning before the first feeding. After eating, it is not recommended to take blood for analysis within 5 hours.

The place for sampling is freed from hairline and, if necessary, cattle is fixed, after which the area is treated with an antiseptic. For disinfection, 70% ethyl alcohol solution, 1% salicylic acid alcohol solution, 5% iodine alcohol solution are suitable.

Methods that do not require forced fixation of the body position are more easily tolerated by animals. The stress of the procedure can lead to a decrease in milk yield. It is not recommended to take blood from females 3 weeks before calving and within 3 weeks after birth.

In order to avoid complications, it is necessary to follow the technique of taking blood, choosing the option that is less traumatic for the cow and safe for humans.

Technique for taking blood from cattle

Blood sampling from cows is carried out from the jugular, tail or milk veins. Work in each zone has its own characteristics, due to the different location and speed of blood flow.

From the jugular vein

In accordance with the common and well-established method of taking blood from the jugular vein of cows, a bloodletting needle and a sterile test tube are used, into which fluid is drawn along the wall. The vessel is located in the lower third of the animal's neck. The head needs to be fixed, which becomes a stress factor for the cow.

Jugular vein sampling technique:

1. Fix the head of the animal in a fixed position.
2. Prepare the lower third of the cervical area, removing excess hair, disinfect the surface of the skin with an alcohol solution.
3. Clamp the vessel with the thumb.
4. The needle is inserted into the vein at an acute angle to the surface towards the head. Insertion depth is 1 centimeter.
5. Collect blood in a test tube.

Material collected in this way is not sterile, liquid may splatter.

From the milk vein

The milk vein is located on the belly of the cow on both sides, on the side of the udder. It is clearly visible in adult females, but the sampling process is complicated by the high sensitivity of this area of the body and the deeper location of the vein than it seems visually.

The cow must be securely restrained and held, which often requires more than one person.

Breast vein blood sampling technique:

1. Fix and hold the animal.
2. Remove hair from the area adjacent to the vein.
3. Treat the area with an alcohol solution.
4. The venous tubercle is probed with fingers.
5. Insert the needle into the vessel parallel to the surface of the skin.
6. Biomaterial is collected.

The procedure is unpleasant for the cow and can cause a decrease in milk yield as a result of the resulting stress. A complex and traumatic method for an animal is rarely used in modern conditions.

From the tail vein

Blood sampling from the tail vein is quick, does not require forced fixation of the animal and is usually easily tolerated. Modern techniques are aimed at developing devices for taking material from this particular area of the cow's body.

Rules for taking blood from the tail vein:

1. They take the tail of a cow in the middle of its length and lift it up.
2. Disinfect the area of 2-5 vertebrae and adjacent areas with an alcohol solution.
3. Take a sterile needle or a ready-made special system in one hand, hold the tail with the other.
4. The needle is inserted perpendicular to the center of the width of the tail at a distance of about 10 centimeters from its base. Insertion depth is 0.5-1 centimeter.
5. Getting material.

The procedure eliminates human contact with the biological fluids of livestock, which is considered one of the main advantages. Difficulties in sampling are created by slow blood flow in the vessel, but modern vacuum systems solve this problem, making the procedure safe and effective.

Features of vacuum blood sampling

The use of modern vacuum systems for blood sampling allows the cattle procedure to be carried out quickly and safely. The vacuum method works well on the tail vein. The process does not injure the cow, excludes direct contact of humans and other animals with the biomaterial.

The system consists of a needle and a syringe container. The needle, which has an optimal diameter (usually 0.9 mm), is equipped with a valve that prevents fluid from escaping, which reduces the likelihood of possible complications. The syringe, which simultaneously functions as a transport container, is made of durable plastic. Serum can be isolated in it or an anticoagulant can be added.

Advantages of the vacuum method:

• no need to fix the animal;
• minimize cow stress;
• exclusion of direct human contact with the material;
• receiving a sterile sample;
• avoid unforeseen risk of spread of infection;
• Ease of use without pouring the sample into the shipping container.

Vacuum labeling includes practical color coding to help sort samples taken.

Possible errors

When performing the standard method of taking blood from the jugular vein, there is a high probability that the material will fall on a person and surrounding objects. If the animal is infected, there is a risk of spreading the infection. The open method takes a lot of time, requires preparation and utmost accuracy.

If the rules of asepsis and blood sampling technique are violated, the resulting sample may not meet the requirements, the cow may experience complications in the form of abscesses, hematomas. It is not recommended to force sampling to avoid partial hemolysis of blood cells.

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