A novel method for the rapid bleeding of rats from the tail vein.

A method for bleeding rats from the tail vein was developed. Sufficient vasodilation of the tail was accomplished by the use of a specially designed warming device. With the help of a physical restrainer, up to 5 ml of blood can be collected from the tail vein and no anaesthesia is required. This bleeding procedure is fast, simple to perform, and imposes practically no risk to the animal.