Using the illumavein on CANINES
INSTRUCTIONS:
  1. Gather illumavein, lancet, meter and test strip.
  2. Insert test strip into meter and confirm it is ready.
  3. Get canine into comfortable and accessible position.
  4. If using "hairy" side of ear, you may want to shave hair.  Others
    choose to flip ear over and use "hairless" side.  
  5. Insert ear in between arms of the illumavein.
  6. Rotate adjustable clamp so vein is clamped in 1 location. (see blood
    flow section for more information)
  7. Clamp down with gentle pressure to activate light.
  8. The light will illuminate the vein.
  9. Rotate adjustable clamp if necessary.
  10. While applying pressure, wait for a few seconds before
    puncturing.  This will allow vein to enlarge with blood.
  11. Puncture vein with lancet.
  12. Let blood accumulate into droplet and collect into test strip.
  13. Release clamp.
Venous blood flow on ears begins at tip of ear and
travels back towards head.
It is important to place the device with the opening
of the rotating clamp so the blood is flowing "into"
the device (or so the arrows would be pointing in).  
This will allow blood to flow into the vein and fill
with blood.  
INCORRECT
CORRECT
Blood is flowing away from device. (Arrows
are pointing away and leaving the area of
puncture.)
Blood is flowing into the device. (Arrows
are pointing in and entering the area of
puncture.)
Only clamp vein in 1 location.  This will allow the vein
to enlarge and allow more blood to continuously fill
the vein.  If the vein is clamped in 2 locations, blood
flow is stopped and no blood droplet will form upon
puncturing.  
CLAMPING THE VEIN
CORRECT
INCORRECT
The vein is shown in red.
Vein is clamped in 1 location.
The vein is shown in red. Vein is clamped
in 2 locations.  (Vein is sectioned.)
CLICK ON PICTURES BELOW TO ENLARGE IMAGE.