Drawing Blood From Jugular Vein
 

OMG, I found this article on the dangers of drawing blood from the jugular vein on dogs. I know it doe not happen often but after what happen to Rose's baby it scares me to death. The following link gives a horrifying story of what happened to an adult dog.

Vet Botches Blood Test

Rose, I am so sorry for the loss of your baby but perhaps he did not die in vein and his story may save the life of many other precious babies. ((hugs))

This is yet another reason to NOT Bat test puppies under the age of 6 mths unless they have symptoms. It is a very difficult blood draw even for an adult. Thank you for sharing this link.

Rose - Teasers death was definatley not in vain he is continuing to help so many people. Huggs!

Mine get their blood drawn every year for wellness checks. Now I am worried. I may not let them do it anymore. I didnt know the blood was taken from the juglar

Not all blood is taken from the jugular, sometimes they take it from the leg.

Oh that is good to know. Ill ask where they take it from. They always take them in another room when they take it. I am going to ask that they stay in the room with me

Mine have been BAT for the past 1.5 yrs. Each time was from their leg. The last time I picked them up from a BAT was over the winter, it was cold, so I left sweaters on them. I picked them up and Roxy legs was bleeding a little bit, no big deal, came home, took off their sweaters quickly and now I needed to wash their faces, b/c the food they fed them was smashed all in their face, I wondered if they even ate any with the amount on their faces :mad: - I was holding TJ over the sick washing his face hair and the water was red, my hand was red, I grabbed the towel and put it on him and it was covered with blood. I looked at his neck and it was bleeding and soaked in blood :mad: - NOW I WAS SO MAD. I called that Vet office and said I am coming to pick up their records.

What happened was my "normal" Vet had left to go to another practice, so god knows who drew the blood. But now all is good we found our normal Vet and all is well.

As with all blood draws or surgeries there will be a risk and yes some may be botched and the unthinkable will happen just as in life in humans but just know your vet, know your health history on your animals. Sometimes a blood draw from the jugluar is necessary as with BAT testing. Sometimes tests are necessary if the animal is sick but with life comes risk unfortunately. I know the risk but in order to find out what's wrong I would take that risk on a "sick" puppy or an adult. There are definently other ways to draw blood for rountine exams but sometimes it does require the jugluar vein.
Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

I know blood work is necessary at times but one does still worry. I trust my vet for doing spays but I do know that he has lost some on the operating table. I think these freak accidents can happen with any vet. I just think many of us were led to believe that it is unethical to sell a pup without a BAT test and also it has been advised to spay females at a very young age and now we are finding evidence that both of these procedures are risky and not necessarily in the best interest of the dog. I feel it is necessary to spay females that are not going to be bred but I feel it is not necessary to spay them before they are fully developed. I still would like to know the statistics of how many healthy adults have BATs ran and a liver shunt is found. I keep reading that BAT tests are not always accurate. Like you said, people just have to know their lines, be honest with anyone buying a puppy from them and have a good health guarantee. I don't think one breeder should try to cram their beliefs down another breeders throat and call the other breeder unethical just because they don't do things exactly like the other breeder. JMHO

TLC....thanks for sharing your story. I would be really pissed too. I am glad your baby was okay.

Do you think it is excessive for a vet to do wellness bloodwork once a year every year? My Vet does it when they have their annual shots

I honestly can't answer that. Some will say yes. I do not have blood work done unless a dog is sick, if I need a full blood panel or if the dog is going to undergo anesthesia.

BAT tests aren't always accurate but as I've stated before it's the only thing we've got right now until a genetic marker is found. I don't spay and neuter until 6 months of age nor do I recommend it being done at a younger age but of course that is how I do things and of course every breeder has their own right to do their breeding program as they see fit :) As long as a breeder is doing right by the breed itself then that breeder shouldn't worry about what anyone else has to say :) Every breeder does things differently of course.
I don't BAT test my puppies at a young age and do not recommend it but of course if the new puppy buyer wants it done they can take to their vet and have it ran and if the puppy survives the test then I will pay for that test. But personally if the parents are tested and cleared and the puppy is healthy I see no reason to BAT test a healthy puppy until after he is 6 months old and at a healthy weight. I would only run a BAT test on a younger puppy if signs warrant it. If you as a breeder are doing all the right things and stand behind your breeding program and health guarantee then no need to defend it :) Not picking on you as a breeder but generally speaking :) As I've stated many times I stand behind my breeding program and I feel no need to defend it nor do I let others influence how I do my breeding program on a public forum. I go by the research I've done, my vet recommendation, my mentors and more experienced breeders.
Please don't think I've picked on you I was usuing your post to answer the questions :)
Donna

i am horri:(fied:eek::eek:

I know, me too. I'm so sorry. (((hugs)))

Tucker has only had blood taken from his Jugular once. He was perfectly fine, but I passed out. and because of THAT, they now take it out of his leg. :p