Comparison of results of haematological and clinical chemical analyses of blood samples obtained from the cephalic and external jugular veins in dogs.

The study was performed to investigate the difference in the concentration of several haematological and clinical chemical blood components in blood obtained from the cephalic and external jugular veins in 23 dogs. A total of 17 laboratory tests were analysed and, except for two clinical chemical blood components, there was no decisive difference in the test results obtained in blood samples collected from the cephalic and external jugular vein in dogs. For creatinine and potassium, however, there was a significant difference in the test results between the two veins, the highest results in general being measured in jugular venous blood. These findings indicate that it may be advisable to establish standardised procedures when collecting blood samples and make adjustments for the difference in test results when interpreting them.