Transilluminated Jugular Blood Sampling in the Common Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon)
Blood collection in chameleons is indicated in clinical cases and research studies and is commonly performed from the ventral tail vein. However, this venipuncture site can be associated with a greater degree of technical difficulty, adverse effects, and artifactual changes in the test results. The jugular vein is often suggested as a preferred alternative sampling site, but can also be technically challenging in smaller lizards. A transillumination method of the cervical region that reveals the jugular vein can be used for more accurate venipuncture, increased sampling success, as well as reduced handling time and soft tissue damage to adjacent anatomical structure. The technique described in this report can be used to collect blood from common chameleons (Chamaeleo chamaeleon).Abstract
A typical ventral tail vein venipuncture approach in a common chameleon.
Common chameleon restrained for jugular venipuncture. While in a lateral position, the head and body are slightly extended to the left by another handler and the needle is inserted at a 45-degree angle along an imaginary line drawn from the angle of the mandible to the shoulder (red line). This angle can be adjusted by directly viewing the vein using transillumination.
Common chameleon restrained for jugular venipuncture as described before (a). Note the visibility of the jugular vein (white arrow) when transilluminated from behind the cervical region (b).
Hemodilution is noted in this sample, which was collected from the jugular vein using a blind technique.
