Whatever means of restraint is used (see Handling/Restraint of Cattle) it should cause minimal distress and should be quick and safe for both the animal and the person drawing the blood.

Blood can be collected from the jugular vein in all ages of cattle and from the tail vein in older cattle

• Restrain the animal with the head elevated and the jugular groove exposed.
• Raise the jugular vein by applying pressure at the base of the jugular groove.
• Insert the needle through the skin and into the vessel at about a 20 degree angle and withdraw the blood sample.
• Remove the needle and apply pressure to stop the bleeding.

• Restrain the animal to prevent it from moving away during the procedure. (See Handling and Restraint of Cattle)
• Raise the tail vertically with one hand until it is horizontal with the ground.
• Approximately 150 mm from the base of the tail locate the groove lying in the ventral midline of the tail.
• Midway along the body of a tail vertebra, insert a 20 gauge needle (attached to a syringe) perpendicularly to the surface of the skin to a depth of a few millimeters and withdraw the blood sample.
• Apply pressure to the site of the venipuncture after withdrawal of the needle, to stop the bleeding.