Abdominocentesis, teat cannula placement, horse

After aseptic preparation of the insertion site, a small subcutaneous bleb of local anesthetic is placed to the right of the horse's midline to avoid the spleen. A stab incision thorough the skin and superficial fascia of the rectus abdominis muscle is made with a No. 15 blade and a cannula introduced aseptically. Gauze is used to prevent contamination of the sample from small skin vessels. An assistant collects the fluid.