Comparing Blood Sampling Techniques in Canines: A Pilot Study Using Oclacitinib

Pharmacokinetic studies are critical to assess drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in companion animals. Blood collection methods such as direct venepuncture or indwelling catheters could influence pharmacokinetic outcomes and animal welfare. A direct comparison of drug concentr...

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Main Authors: Emily Ryman, Merilyn Dobbs, Leslie Gabor, Abishek Santhakumar, Brian Cassar, Nidhish Francis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Veterinary Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/6/543
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author Emily Ryman
Merilyn Dobbs
Leslie Gabor
Abishek Santhakumar
Brian Cassar
Nidhish Francis
author_facet Emily Ryman
Merilyn Dobbs
Leslie Gabor
Abishek Santhakumar
Brian Cassar
Nidhish Francis
author_sort Emily Ryman
collection DOAJ
description Pharmacokinetic studies are critical to assess drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in companion animals. Blood collection methods such as direct venepuncture or indwelling catheters could influence pharmacokinetic outcomes and animal welfare. A direct comparison of drug concentrations of two blood sampling methods was investigated in this study to identify any potential differences and their impact on animal welfare. Four canines (male = 3, female = 1) were treated with Apoquel<sup>®</sup> (oclacitinib 0.4–0.6 mg/kg) and blood samples were obtained via direct venepuncture into the jugular and a cephalically placed catheter. The drug distribution and cortisol concentration were examined over several time points (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h post treatment). Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences (<i>p</i> > 0.05) in the concentration of the drug between the two collection methods, indicating that both methods are acceptable in generating reliable results for pharmacokinetic data. Nevertheless, cortisol levels indicated a trend suggesting catheter collection may be associated with reduced stress compared to direct venepuncture (Catheter = 201 ± 91; Direct venepuncture = 208 ± 96. This study provides evidence to use a less invasive blood collection such as via a catheter during intensive bleeding schedules that are required in early drug development, thereby improving the overall welfare for the animal.
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series Veterinary Sciences
spelling doaj-art-8dc1605e8f2749f3acc745e7dfb8d9552025-08-20T03:26:53ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812025-06-0112654310.3390/vetsci12060543Comparing Blood Sampling Techniques in Canines: A Pilot Study Using OclacitinibEmily Ryman0Merilyn Dobbs1Leslie Gabor2Abishek Santhakumar3Brian Cassar4Nidhish Francis5Elanco Animal Health, 245 Western Road, Kemps Creek, NSW 2718, AustraliaElanco Animal Health, 245 Western Road, Kemps Creek, NSW 2718, AustraliaElanco Animal Health, 245 Western Road, Kemps Creek, NSW 2718, AustraliaSchool of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, AustraliaElanco Animal Health, 245 Western Road, Kemps Creek, NSW 2718, AustraliaSchool of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, AustraliaPharmacokinetic studies are critical to assess drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in companion animals. Blood collection methods such as direct venepuncture or indwelling catheters could influence pharmacokinetic outcomes and animal welfare. A direct comparison of drug concentrations of two blood sampling methods was investigated in this study to identify any potential differences and their impact on animal welfare. Four canines (male = 3, female = 1) were treated with Apoquel<sup>®</sup> (oclacitinib 0.4–0.6 mg/kg) and blood samples were obtained via direct venepuncture into the jugular and a cephalically placed catheter. The drug distribution and cortisol concentration were examined over several time points (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h post treatment). Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences (<i>p</i> > 0.05) in the concentration of the drug between the two collection methods, indicating that both methods are acceptable in generating reliable results for pharmacokinetic data. Nevertheless, cortisol levels indicated a trend suggesting catheter collection may be associated with reduced stress compared to direct venepuncture (Catheter = 201 ± 91; Direct venepuncture = 208 ± 96. This study provides evidence to use a less invasive blood collection such as via a catheter during intensive bleeding schedules that are required in early drug development, thereby improving the overall welfare for the animal.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/6/543canine blood collectionvenepuncturecanine cathetercortisolpharmacokinetics
spellingShingle Emily Ryman
Merilyn Dobbs
Leslie Gabor
Abishek Santhakumar
Brian Cassar
Nidhish Francis
Comparing Blood Sampling Techniques in Canines: A Pilot Study Using Oclacitinib
Veterinary Sciences
canine blood collection
venepuncture
canine catheter
cortisol
pharmacokinetics
title Comparing Blood Sampling Techniques in Canines: A Pilot Study Using Oclacitinib
title_full Comparing Blood Sampling Techniques in Canines: A Pilot Study Using Oclacitinib
title_fullStr Comparing Blood Sampling Techniques in Canines: A Pilot Study Using Oclacitinib
title_full_unstemmed Comparing Blood Sampling Techniques in Canines: A Pilot Study Using Oclacitinib
title_short Comparing Blood Sampling Techniques in Canines: A Pilot Study Using Oclacitinib
title_sort comparing blood sampling techniques in canines a pilot study using oclacitinib
topic canine blood collection
venepuncture
canine catheter
cortisol
pharmacokinetics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/6/543
work_keys_str_mv AT emilyryman comparingbloodsamplingtechniquesincaninesapilotstudyusingoclacitinib
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AT lesliegabor comparingbloodsamplingtechniquesincaninesapilotstudyusingoclacitinib
AT abisheksanthakumar comparingbloodsamplingtechniquesincaninesapilotstudyusingoclacitinib
AT briancassar comparingbloodsamplingtechniquesincaninesapilotstudyusingoclacitinib
AT nidhishfrancis comparingbloodsamplingtechniquesincaninesapilotstudyusingoclacitinib