Collecting Blood

This is not easy.  Most pigs are not used to being handed.

They become very vocal when caught and will not settle easily.

 

Piglets to 30 kg weaner

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Avoid the left hand side as it is possible to damage the left recurrent laryngeal nerve

Adult

 

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Grower and finisher pigs may be bled out of the jugular with a vaccutainer and a 30 mm (1 inch) needle.  Most adults can be bled with a 40 mm 18 gauge (1.5 inch) needle.  Keep the needle perpendicular to the skin and vertical.  Do not try too hard by moving the needle lateral and medial searching for the jugular.  Most problems occur because needle is not in deep enough and the needle tip is bouncing off the jugular.