📝 STANDARD DESCRIPTION:
Standard IV / Sample Veins:
• Jugular vein — large animals (cattle, horse, sheep, goat, camelid). Located in jugular furrow.
• Cephalic vein — dog & cat. Cranial forearm.
• Recurrent (Lateral) Tarsal vein — dog & cat. Lateral side of hock.
• Femoral vein — dog (catheter, sample).
• Median caudal (coccygeal) vein — cattle (tail bleeding).
• Subcutaneous abdominal ('Milk') vein — last-resort in dairy cow when jugulars fail.
• Wing vein (basilic / ulnar) — bird.
• Marginal ear vein — pig, rabbit.
Common Injection Sites:
• IV — see veins above.
• IM — neck, gluteals, semitendinosus.
• SC — loose skin behind shoulder, inguinal fold.
📚 DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
VENEPUNCTURE & INJECTION SITES BY SPECIES
JUGULAR VEIN — LARGE ANIMAL STANDARD:
• Located in the jugular furrow (groove between brachiocephalicus and sternomandibularis muscles).
• In cattle: upper third of furrow is safe.
• In horse: upper third only — middle and lower thirds are too close to the common carotid artery and vagosympathetic trunk.
• Distended by occluding low in the furrow.
• 14-16 G needle for adult cow.
CEPHALIC VEIN — SMALL ANIMAL STANDARD:
• Cranial midline of forearm; runs proximally over biceps brachii to median cubital → brachial.
• Distended by occluding above elbow.
• Standard IV catheter site in dog & cat.
RECURRENT TARSAL VEIN (Lateral Saphenous):
• Lateral aspect of hock.
• Useful in dogs when cephalic is not accessible.
MEDIAN COCCYGEAL VEIN — CATTLE TAIL BLEED:
• Ventral midline of the tail, ~10 cm from tail base (Cy3-Cy4).
• Quick and easy; minimal restraint needed.
• 18-20G needle, perpendicular to tail.
'MILK VEIN' (Subcutaneous Abdominal Vein):
• Prominent S-shaped vein on ventral abdomen of lactating cow.
• Used only when jugulars are scarred/thrombosed — risk of severe haematoma.
• Compress firmly after needle withdrawal.
FEMORAL VEIN — DOG:
• Medial thigh, alongside femoral artery.
• For long-term IV catheter or quick blood sample.
WING VEIN — BIRD:
• Basilic / cutaneous ulnar vein on medial aspect of wing (under ulna).
• Standard avian venepuncture site.
SAPHENOUS VEIN — KITTEN/PUPPY: Medial aspect of leg.
MARGINAL EAR VEIN — PIG, RABBIT: Lateral edge of pinna; useful for catheterization.
OTHER LARGE-ANIMAL ALTERNATIVES:
• Lateral thoracic vein.
• Cephalic vein (adult bovine).
• Median vein (medial radius).
// COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
| CATTLE |
Jugular + Coccygeal + Milk vein. Avoid carotid by staying high in jugular furrow. |
| HORSE |
Jugular high in furrow; carotid lies deep & medial — never aim downward. |
| DOG |
Cephalic > Lateral saphenous > Femoral > Jugular (anaesthetised animal). |
| BIRD |
Wing vein, jugular (right is bigger), or medial metatarsal vein. |
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Jugular Thrombophlebitis: From rough or repeated venepuncture. IV Catheter Care: Sterile placement, regular flushing, change every 72 hours. Hematoma Prevention: Compress for 60 sec after withdrawing needle.
