The use of lignocaine-prilocaine local anaesthetic cream for pain-free venepuncture in laboratory animals.

An assessment was made of the effects of topical application of a eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics (EMLA cream) in a number of species of laboratory animals. Application of EMLA cream enabled percutaneous insertion of catheters into the cephalic vein in dogs and cats and the marginal ear vein in rabbits without causing any detectable pain or discomfort. Application to the tail in rats prior to percutaneous cannulation of the lateral tail vein did not produce a significant reduction in the behavioural responses to venepuncture. EMLA cream represents a useful refinement of current techniques for intravenous injection in some species, and is especially valuable when the procedure is to be undertaken by an inexperienced operator.