Método de extracción de sangre en camaleones
Resumen del artículo Comparison between tail and jugular venipuncture techniques for blood sample collection in Common chameleons (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) Cuadrado M., Molina-Prescott I. & Flores L. 2003. Veterinary Journal 166, 93-97.
ABSTRACT. The most common technique used for collecting blood samples from chameleons, ventral tail caudal venipuncture, (Frye, 1991), sometimes presents undesired effects. Here we compared tail versus jugular vein venipuncture techniques in the common chameleon. In the first experiment, we collected 0.25% of the chameleon´s body mass in blood from either tail or jugular sites in size-matched pairs of animals to check for secondary effects. In a second experiment, we measured white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), total plasma protein and uric acid in blood samples collected from both sites in the same individual. We found few secondary effects following the use of either venipuncture site although skin darkening was observed in few specimens when using the ventral tail vein. Blood profiles were similar between samples. The repeatability of measurements was similar in RBC and WBC counts but remarkably low. Despite the few differences recorded, we recommend jugular venipunction in chameleons as skin darkening is unlikely, blood volumes are easily obtained and collection time is shorter.
Key words: blood sampling techniques, haematological profiles, Chamaeleo chamaeleon