---
title: Mouse Microsampling | Blood Sampling | Instech Labs
description: Consider placing a catheter in the jugular vein or carotid artery of mice and connecting it to a transcutaneous skin button when taking repeated samples. This method is an animal welfare improvement over other stress-inducing methods. Learn more.
image: https://www.instechlabs.com/hubfs/assets/images/applications/blood-sampling/mouse_sampling_from_catheter2.jpg
---

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# Mouse Microsampling

When you need to take repeated small blood samples from a mouse, consider placing a catheter in the jugular vein or carotid artery and connecting it to a transcutaneous skin button. This method is a refinement over stress-inducing tail snips, retro-orbital bleeds or other [peripheral methods](https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/mouse-decision-tree-blood-sampling), and the Vascular Access Button™ creates a closed system with [five times greater patency than an externalized catheter](https://www.criver.com/sites/default/files/resource-files/SP-AALAS-17-jugular-vein-catheters-cd-1-igs-mice.pdf).

Furthermore, with a protective aluminum cap, mice can be **group housed**, a welfare benefit that is not possible with animals with externalized catheters.

Access the button with a standard syringe fitted with the mating PNP3M injector. Collect precise microsample volumes directly into [Sarstedt capillary collection tubes](https://www.instechlabs.com/products/tubing-connectors-pinports/pinports/capillary-tubes) by using the PNP3MS connector (arterial pressure is required for best results — for example, from a carotid artery catheterization). Use the magnetic handling tool to hold the mouse and minimize forces on the animal. Always use [positive pressure technique](https://www.instechlabs.com/blog/vab-and-positive-pressure-technique-can-improve-patency-of-rodent-catheters) when accessing small mouse catheters.

To reduce stress even further, collect samples outside the cage: [hands off sampling](https://www.instechlabs.com/applications/blood-sampling/mouse-outside-cage).

[View Products](https://www.instechlabs.com/applications/blood-sampling/mouse-microsampling#products)

## Typical Application Setup

A typical application setup is listed below. Add all the pieces to your quote, build your quote piece by piece, or call one of our experienced team members to help guide you through the system best suited for your needs.

###### [![Patency of Jugular Vein Catheters in CD-1® IGS Mice](https://www.instechlabs.com/hubfs/assets/design/icons/icon-post.svg) Poster Patency of Jugular Vein Catheters in CD-1® IGS Mice Evaluation of Three Catheter Maintenance Schedules in Standardly Externalized Catheter and Transcutaneous Buttons See Poster](https://www.criver.com/sites/default/files/resource-files/SP-AALAS-17-jugular-vein-catheters-cd-1-igs-mice.pdf)

###### [![Surgical Service Providers](https://www.instechlabs.com/hubfs/assets/design/icons/icon-guide.svg) Resource Surgical Service Providers See Providers](https://www.instechlabs.com/resources/surgical-service-providers)

###### [![VAB™ and Positive Pressure Technique Can Improve Patency of Rodent Catheters](https://www.instechlabs.com/hubfs/assets/design/icons/icon-video.svg) Video VAB™ and Positive Pressure Technique Can Improve Patency of Rodent Catheters Watch Now](https://www.instechlabs.com/positive-pressure-technique)

###### [![Use of the Vascular Access Button™ in Mice](https://www.instechlabs.com/hubfs/assets/design/icons/icon-video.svg) Video Use of the Vascular Access Button™ in Mice This 73 second video demonstrates the use of the Vascular Access Button™ in Mice from surgery to blood sampling, infusion, and group housing. Watch Now](https://www.instechlabs.com/view-video-mouse-vab-use)

###### [![Simple, Low-Stress Capillary Blood Sampling](https://www.instechlabs.com/hubfs/assets/design/icons/icon-video.svg) Video Simple, Low-Stress Capillary Blood Sampling Watch how to combine the VAB™ and PinPort™ with the Sarstedt capillary and centrifugation tubes for precise, stress free blood microsampling. Watch Now](https://www.instechlabs.com/view-video-capillary-tubes)

###### [![Mouse Catheterization Training](https://www.instechlabs.com/hubfs/assets/design/icons/icon-education.svg) Online Learning Mouse Catheterization Training Learn the procedure necessary to implant a Vascular Access Button™, as well as keys to maintain and improve patency. Learn More](https://www.instechlabs.com/education/online-training/mouse-catheterization-training)

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