BioPryn Blood PG test -- alternate method for blood draw?

[Kathie in Thorp]

Sorry, folks. Don't want to wade through miles of discussion that I know has already been discussed. But in using the BioPryn blood draw for PG test . . . you had a better idea than using their kit draw unit. What size needle? Thx.

 

[Kingfisher]

It doesn't really matter. They all going to work.

 

[slick4591]

I use a 19g X 1" on a syringe, then transfer to the blood tube.

 

[bse]

I use 18X1with 3cc syringe then into tube.

 

[Alan]

I use a 18 to 20 but always find the easiest is to go under the tail for a blood draw.

 

[Bigfoot]

I use an 18 gauge 1 inch needle. A couple of Saturday's ago, I gave up on drawing blood from one. I had poked and prodded all I was going to.

 

[Kathie in Thorp]

I use an 18 gauge 1 inch needle. A couple of Saturday's ago, I gave up on drawing blood from one. I had poked and prodded all I was going to.

We had one of those a couple years ago, Bigfoot . . . . she sucked her tail in so tight, and got noth'n from her!

 

[Jessica06]

There's a pretty good vein in the ear if you give up on getting it out of the tail.

 

[bird dog]

I use the 20 gauge x 1" with a 3 cc syringe. You can get them from the Air-Tite folks for a .10 a piece with the needle installed. Vacutainers are about .20 each. You have to buy 100 of each.

I bled 17 last week and had an easier time than before. I realized I wasn't going high enough up the tail. I am now going about 5" from the base. You have to remember that the vein is just under the skin so keep the needle pointing upward. To many times before I would poke the needle all the way through the vein with bad results.

 

[milkmaid]

I like an 18-20 ga x 1-1.5" needle and the tail vein on most cows. You don't need a big needle and larger diameters makes a huge hematoma on the tail likely - that also makes it difficult to draw blood next time. Blood draws on groups, I use supplies similar to what BioPryn provides:

http://www.biotracking.com/store/cattle100

Just less stuff to carry, clean up and throw away. I don't use syringes unless I can't get a sample with the vacutainer.

I usually go at one of the first three vertebral junctions from the base of the tail - it's easier to hit lower down - remember if you hold the tail too tight/high the vein is stretched and doesn't flow well. There's always a jugular, ear, and facial veins that can be accessed in a pinch, but the tail is by far the safest and quickest.

 

[muleskinner]

For tail bleeding on a beef cow you need a 1.5" needle especially if there fat. You can get away with an 1" needle on a dairy cow.

 

[hopalong]

only once have I had a problem drawing from the tail, for some reason she just wouldn't let me find it or maybe it was just pure me. , decided to try the next day Bingo, 18 ga 1" seems to work best for me ad as someone said the vein is not very deep very seldom do I go 1" into the tail, I like the syringe method the best drawing about 3 cc and transferring,,, just my opinion for what that is worth

 

[UG]

We use the Vacuette blood collection needles that screw into the tube holder. This system has a neele on each end; one end goes into the cow and the other end goes into the blood tube. We get them from our BioPryn provider along with the tubes and tube holders.