Avian Blood Collection

Anatomic differences necessitate the modification of venipuncture techniques between avian species and selection of appropriate blood collection sites. Moreover, a venipuncture site in an individual patient should only be selected after considering a number of important clinical and anatomic factors. The volume of blood required for collection dictates whether a relatively small or large blood vessel is sampled. The patient's physical status, ranging from healthy to critical, influences how the patient is restrained for blood collection, and thereby determines which vein is selected. History of recent venipuncture in a particular vessel may preclude the clinician from sampling that same vessel again. Risk of hematoma formation should be considered by the phlebotomist because there is variation of this iatrogenic trauma between blood collection sites. Coagulopathies may be associated with certain diseases, including liver failure and aflatoxicosis, and may influence the location of blood collection from an avian patient. Furthermore, for veterinarians who perform phlebotomies in an examination room with the bird's owner present, the client's perception and acceptance of the venipuncture site must be considered. Finally, the clinician's experience also plays a role in the site selected. Several common and uncommon blood collection sites are described.