Saphenous vein puncture for blood sampling of the mouse, rat, hamster, gerbil, guinea pig, ferret and mink.

A method is described for blood collection from the lateral saphenous vein. This enables rapid sampling, which if necessary can be repeated from the same site without a need for new puncture wounds. The method is a humane and practical alternative to cardiac and retro-orbital puncture, in species where venepuncture has traditionally been regarded as problematic.