>I can't believe you said that Anne.  That is EXTREMELY painful for the
>ferret and totally unthinkable.  This is NOT the way to get blood from a
>ferret.  You know from grooming accidents that it makes a ferret vocalize
>in pain, and as stoic as they are that's a horrid experience when they
>scream out.
 
Bob-
 
This is how United instructs vets to collect the samples.  From United's
"Counterelectrophoresis (CEP) Testing For Aleution Nisease in Ferrets"
 
1. Clip the toenail above the vein line (pink area of toenail).  It is a
good idea to use disinfectant between ferrets.  Wipe the clippers on a
clean cloth after disinfecting.
 
2. Fill each capillary tube 3/4 full by holding it in the drop of blood
from toenail at a slight downward angle.
 
3. Plug one end of the tube with sealing clay to a depth of 1/4 inch.
 
4. Lay the tubes onto the grooves on top of the cardboard as illustrated.
 
5. Write the animal ID number or name of each sample on the white tape
using a black or blue permanent ink pen.
 
6. Roll cardboard into tight roll and secure with a rubber band.
 
7. Refridgerate samples until the day of shipment.  Do not keep samples
more than three days prior to shipping.
 
The guidelines are actually two pages, with other information.  But I just
wanted to respond that this is how UNITED says to do it.  This is how vets
are supposed to do it.  This is not some half-assed idea I came up with.
If you have questions, concerns or complaints, I suggest you direct them
to the proper party.
 
Anne
[Posted in FML issue 2918]