Mouse Tail Vein Blood Collection

Preparation

• Warm the mouse for 5–10 minutes to dilate tail veins:
• Use a heating pad (37–40°C) or warm water bottle.
• Alternatively, place the mouse in a warming chamber (<42°C).

Prepare materials:

• 25–27G needle or lancet
• Capillary tubes or microvette collection tubes
• 70% ethanol
• Gauze or cotton swabs
• Restraint device (mouse restrainer or manual restraint with towel)

Collection Procedure

• Gently restrain the mouse to expose the tail.
• Clean the tail with 70% ethanol to remove debris and improve visibility.
• Locate the lateral tail vein (runs along both sides of the tail).
• Nick or puncture the vein using a sterile needle or lancet about one-third from the tail tip.
• Collect blood into the capillary tube by capillary action or allow droplets to fall into a collection tube. Typical sample volume: ≤ 50 µL for small sampling