Blood sampling in sheep

Purdue University Department of Animal Sciences Introduction Scientific advances have helped sheep producers genotype sheep for potential susceptibility to scrapie. They can also determine if the animal is a carrier of the spider lamb gene. To run a DNA test on sheep, the most common and effective method is to submit a blood sample to the laboratory doing the analysis. Producers can get blood samples drawn by using an animal health care professional or by learning to perform the task themselves. Blood sampling in sheep is fairly straightforward, and most producers, with experience, can become proficient at drawing blood. Sheep are one of the easier animal species from which to draw blood. It is easier if animals are properly restrained, the sampling site is correctly prepared, adequate assistance is available, and all necessary equipment is gathered. Once the sample has been drawn, proper care and handling is important so that a high-quality representative sample is sent to the laboratory for evaluation.