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  • Clinical Techniques
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Cardiac blood sample collection from snakes

Abstract

Snakes are used in various investigations of the effects of their venom on human physiology. Blood sampling is frequently an important part of these investigations. The heart is the most commonly used venipuncture site in snakes because it yields a reasonably large sample. This column describes cardiocentesis for blood sample collection in the snake.

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Figure 1: Anatomy and orientation for cardiocentesis in the snake.

Lisa Dowaliby

Figure 2: Cardiac immobilization for large snakes.

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Correspondence to Cyndi Brown.

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Brown, C. Cardiac blood sample collection from snakes. Lab Anim 39, 208–209 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban0710-208

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/laban0710-208

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