Figure 5.

Blood donor positioning for blood collection largely depends on the preference of the phlebotomist. (a) Here the sedated blood donor is in a sternal position. (b) This sedated donor has been placed in lateral recumbency with the neck extended. Blood pressure is being evaluated and monitored at the tail base, an intravenous catheter has been inserted in the cephalic vein and a whole blood sample has been collected (not shown) to check the donor’s packed cell volume (or haemoglobin concentration). The cat lies on a warming blanket and has a needle inserted to provide subcutaneous fluids after the donation. (c) Here the blood donor is in dorsal recumbency; the jugular vein site is being clipped ready for blood collection, with the jugular vein clearly visible. The venepuncture site is then prepared using an aseptic technique. Image (a) courtesy of Sophie Adamantos; image (c) reproduced, with permission, from Rudd ⁸⁴