The mentolabial approach is a novel, safe, and effective method of blood collection in rats (Rattus norvegicus) and Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus).

Authors

Haley Johnson, Jaturun Luapan, Melissa Seiberlich, Cory Brayton, Isabel A Jimenez

Published in

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Pages 1-8. Aug 21, 2026. Epub Aug 21, 2026.

Abstract

To assess the safety, efficacy, and repeatability of a novel technique, mentolabial blood collection, in rats (Rattus norvegicus), Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus), and long-tailed chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) and to characterize the associated anatomy through dissection and histopathology.
A prospective study was conducted in rats (n = 10), Chinese hamsters (10), and long-tailed chinchillas (12) from February 2026 to March 2026 to evaluate mentolabial blood collection. Animals were chemically restrained, and a needle was inserted through the skin below the inferior labium, targeting the gingival vein. Success was defined as a blood sample of ≥ 0.1 mL. A subset of Chinese hamsters (n = 6) underwent serial venipuncture, and hematology values were compared at days 0, 7, and 14. An additional 2 rats, 2 Chinese hamsters, and 1 long-tailed chinchilla were included for anatomical characterization.
The success rate of the mentolabial approach was 100% (10 of 10) in rats and Chinese hamsters and 75% (9 of 12) in long-tailed chinchillas. No animals experienced clinical complications, and histopathology in rats and Chinese hamsters did not reveal adverse effects. In Chinese hamsters, hematologic parameters remained within reference range with no significant differences over time.
Mentolabial blood collection is safe in sedated or anesthetized rats, Chinese hamsters, and long-tailed chinchillas and is highly effective in rats and Chinese hamsters, yielding clinically relevant blood volumes with precise control and minimal risks.
The mentolabial approach may facilitate more routine bloodwork analysis in rodents by veterinarians and, in research settings, may improve animal welfare and contribute to refinement and reduction.

PMID:
42633771
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 24 Aug 2026.

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