Gentle blood sampling from tortoises (Testudines) to detect blood parasites

Blood can be drawn from the jugular, brachial, femoral, ventral and dorsal coccygeal veins, occipital venous sinus, and heart from most species of tortoises and aquatic turtles. An alternative method for obtaining high-quality blood samples from tortoises of the genus Testudo for the detection of blood parasites by blood extraction using a medicinal leech ( Hirudo medicinalis ) has been proposed. One or two leeches were placed on each individual, depending on the body weight of the turtle. The time spent by leeches on blood sucking took from 20 minutes to 1 hour (average 35 minutes). After the pumped leeches fell off, they were immediately placed in sterile double-dish, where they contacted with a cotton swab moistened with ethyl alcohol in order to cause regurgitation of the sucked blood. In a comparative study of microscopic specimens prepared from blood samples of the spur-thighed tortoise obtained by two methods of exsanguination: cardiopuncture and medical leeches, no qualitative differences were found. In all specimens, blood cells and intraerythrocytic stages of blood parasites were equally suitable for identification. This method of exsanguination is also effective, as well as traditional methods of blood sampling from turtles, but in contrast to them, it is simple to perform, more humane and safer for these animals.