As I await my annual herd disease test results, I figured I would post a little ‘how to’. A friend helped the hubby and I last Sunday and took some good pictures & video. I don’t think I will post the video, as it has to go on YouTube and the goat SCREAMS bloody murder during ‘the best’ video. She is actually yelling about the restraint and being dramatic about the poke, but I don’t want to give haters any fodder.
First thing first, a container for the blood sample. The required collection vial/tube depends on the test being performed, as different ‘color’ tubes have different additives and/or preservatives. The lab will specify what color tube is required. For disease and/or pregnancy testing, in my experience, a ‘red top’ tube is required. Also of note is the sample size, in mL, required by the lab. Three (3) mL seems to be standard for a disease panel and/or pregnancy testing. I usually purchased the 4 mL tubes off amazon but they (amazon) are increasingly becoming a pain in the butt with their ‘medical supply’ rules. It should be noted that a 3 mL tube will work for a 3 mL sample, but I don’t recommend it… and I bet the lab doesn’t like it. If you only have a few goats, you’ll probably want to buy tubes from a vet or friend as the tubes are commonly sold in large quantities and have an expiration date. A 100 count box of 4 mL red top tubes is around $30 (today’s prices).
Next, what to use to draw the blood. I like 3 cc syringes with 1”, 21 gauge needle. (FYI - a cc and mL are equivalent volumes). I buy a 100 count box online for about $25 (today’s prices), but I have 60+ goats and go through 2 boxes a year. Some tests, typically vitamin/mineral panels, require ‘no rubber’. In that case, the needle that connects directly to the vacuum tube (called a Vacuette) is required (like at the ‘people doctor’).
Before we get to drawing blood, the MOST IMPORTANT JOB - HOLDING THE GOAT. I cannot stress the need for a ‘good holder’ enough. It is super frustrating to locate the vein, time after time, only to have the goat jump as soon as the needle touches the skin. I have, also, stabbed myself when my holder sucked at their job. I find it works best if the holder straddles the goat and uses their legs to hold the front shoulder in place. The holder should have their legs at or slightly behind the goat’s front legs so you can access the goats neck without feeling up your holder’s groin area 😳. The goat should be positioned with a wall or gate behind them so they cannot back up. If the goat is naughty, we put their butt in a corner (watch out because they’ll only be able to go forward if/when they freak). The holder should control the goat by the head, holding the goat’s nose up but in a comfortable position. If they force the nose up too much, the goat hates it and tenses their neck. A tense neck or neck with too much bend makes hitting a vein more difficult. For large bucks, you’re going to need two big guys.
Finally, DRAWING BLOOD! This is actually easier than a lot of people think. I don’t shave necks, nor do I recommend it. Trying to locate a vein visually is very deceptive. Once you get ‘the feel’ of the vein, you get more info tactically than you would visually - how deep, how big, how prone to ‘rolling’. The side of the neck doesn’t matter, there is a jugular vein on both sides. I am right handed so I prefer the goat’s left (right side of animal as I face them). If one side seems hard to locate or the vein keeps rolling away, try the other. The location of the jugular vein varies. The trachea (“windpipe”) is centrally located, with the thumb of your non-dominant hand, apply gentle pressure to the left or right of the trachea. This will cause the jugular vein to bulge and make it easier to locate. Begin palpating the area on the same side as you are applying pressure with the tip of your index finger. The jugular vein will feel soft and ‘spongy’ or ‘bouncy’ compared to the surrounding area. Once you think you have found it, flip the hair back. You will often be able to see the vein once you have located it by feel. As a side note, sucking lice often congregate at the jugular vein so keep an eye out for lice and nits. Once you have located the jugular vein, you want to enter the vein in an upward direction (for blood draws, downward for a catheter) with a very small angle (near parallel to neck). Because of the small angle, much of the needle’s length will be used. With too much angle, you will likely go through the vein. If you get a bit of blood but then it stops, angle is often the cause. You can pull the needle back a bit to see if you can get blood again. If you don’t get any blood but think you are close, the vein probably rolled away and you can move the needle around a bit without withdrawing it to see if you can find the vein. I can feel when the needle enters the vein. There is a slight increase in resistance followed by a pop into less resistance. If the goat stars to freak, don’t immediately pull the syringe out. I often just drop the syringe and it will stay in their neck. Then I can just gently grab it again and try to locate the vein when the goat settles down. After about the 5th poke, a needle will be too dull and you should use a new one. Obviously use a new one if it hits the ground for any reason.
Once you get the required 3 mL of blood, inject into the tube, label as required by the lab and get ready to ship! I’ll do another post about packaging and shipping… stay tuned!
Both types of ‘red top’ tubes are acceptable - the smaller ones are glass, bigger are plastic. I prefer the 4 mL plastic ones.