Jugular vein venipuncture technique in small lizard species: Letter to the Editor

In small lizard species, venipuncture for blood collection or drug delivery is challenging. A commonly advised site is the ventral or lateral coccygeal vein (Murray 2000), but it should not be used in species that can undergo caudal autotomy. The ventral abdominal vein is also suggested but the risk of vessel and viscera lacerations must be considered (Redrobe & MacDonald 1999, Sykes & Klaphake 2015). Moreover, cardiac venipuncture is not safe in lizards (O'Malley 2005). In contrast, a common venipuncture site in small birds is the jugular vein (Campbell 1994) and this technique could be safely adapted to small lizard species. The lizard is properly restrained with the head and neck extended; the index and middle fingers of the operator is placed behind the head, in contact with mandibular branch. The head is slightly left-rotated, exposing the jugular area, and the needle can be inserted with an angle less than 45° to the skin. (Fig 1B, C). In our practice, this technique has been useful in Agamids, Chameleons, Iguanids, Lacertids and Geckos weighing less than 100 g, in which other venipuncture sites are difficult or unreachable, and is safe, allows rapid drug delivery and little lymph-dilution. M. Di Giuseppe Centro Veterinario Animali Esotici, 90129, Palermo, Italy M. Morici Department of Veterinary Science, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Messina, Polo Didattico Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy A. Martinez Silvestre Catalonian Reptile and Amphibian Rehabilitation Center (CRARC) 08783, Masquefa, Barcelona, Spain F. Spadola Department of Veterinary Science, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Messina, Polo Didattico Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy