EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES (cont)
Very small quantities of blood can be collected from lightly anesthetized rats by quickly snipping off a toenail and then cauterizing the area with silver nitrate or an electric cautery. Blood can also be obtained by clipping the tip of the tail in rats. For humane reasons, these procedures should be done at extended intervals.
Rodents often can be stimulated to urinate several drops if the genital region is gently rubbed with cotton moistened with warm water.
Larger amounts of urine can be collected most conveniently from rodents with the use of metabolism bowls which are designed to separate urine and feces.
Rodent metabolism bowl