IACUC / LARC STANDARD PROCEDURES

RETRO-ORBITAL BLEEDING OF RODENTS

This procedure is to be performed by or under close supervision of experienced personnel.

Animals must be fully anesthetized. Standard heparinized or non-heparinized micro-hematocrit capillary tubes can be used. The donor animal is held by the back of the neck and the loose skin of the head is tightened with thumb and middle finger. The tip of the capillary tube is then placed at the medial canthus of the eye under the nictitating membrane.

A short thrust past the eyeball will enter the slightly resistant membrane of the sinus. The eyeball itself remains uninjured. As soon as the sinus is punctured, blood enters the tubing by capillary action. When the desired amount of blood is collected, the tube is withdrawn and slight pressure with a piece of gauze on the eyeball is used to prevent further bleeding.

Episodes of retro-orbital bleeding should be every other week only. Repeated bleedings should use alternate eyes.

Should you have any questions regarding the above technique, please contact the LARC on-call veterinarian at 502-8687.