Abstract

Blood collection from small exotic pocket pets can be difficult to achieve. The individual collecting the blood must know both the anatomy and behavior of the species to obtain suitable amounts of blood for diagnostic testing. Given the animals' small size, it is often difficult to collect large volumes of blood. A clinician serious in developing an exotic small mammal practice should understand the limitations of blood sample collection and the risks involved with the procedure. Unlike domestic animals, these pets are often not comfortable with being handled and are often prone to induced complications when presented to a veterinary clinic and restrained for examination. For some cases, the clinician will have to determine if the risk of getting the sample is better achieved by anesthetizing the patient, and if doing so will have a detrimental effect on the animal. One will also need to consider the effect of the anesthetic versus the stress the restraint may have on the blood results.

The size of many small exotic pocket pets seen in private veterinary practices can make diagnostic blood sample collection problematic. It is often difficult to access veins or arteries of adequate size to collect sufficient blood for diagnostic testing. However, with the advent of in-house analyzers that can measure hematologic and blood chemistry parameters from small volumes of whole blood (50-100 µL; 0.05-0.1 mL), it is now possible to pursue diagnostic blood work on many of these exotic small mammals.

The majority of the small exotic mammals that present to veterinary clinics are prey species by nature, with the ferret (Mustela putorius furo) being an exception. Therefore, these animals are easily stressed when handled, anesthetized, or transported. Furthermore, while at the veterinary clinic, these animals are often exposed to bright lights and loud noises and can hear, smell, and see predators such as dogs and cats which are disturbing to these often nocturnal and crepuscular species. If one can minimize or eliminate the effect that outside stressors have on these animals, they can reduce these effects on stress-sensitive blood parameters.

Understanding the animal's natural behavior and making appropriate accommodations is also helpful when collecting blood samples from exotic small mammals. For species such as sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps), which are mainly nocturnal, it is preferable to schedule the examinations early in the morning when they are less active and when the clinic is quiet. However, if you want to observe the same animal's activity levels, the appointment should be scheduled in the early evening when they are more active. On arrival at the clinic, these animals should be brought directly into a warm (70-72°F, 21-22°C) examination room with subdued lighting, away from other disturbing sights, sounds, and smells that are associated with veterinary hospitals.¹