Reptiles can easily have weak bones due to metabolic bone disease , and are susceptible to fracturing during the handling process. From this radiograph it is easy to understand their susceptibility to fracturing while trying to obtain blood. Ill birds are highly susceptible to problems while obtaining blood. They are usually weak and having a difficult time breathing. Most of the time they are subtle.
Many birds have to be stabilized prior to blood sampling.
Restraint in birds is just as important as in reptiles. This bird's leg was fractured when someone at a pet store that was performing a nail trim did not use proper restraint. Small birds do not contain much blood. This is not enough blood for the lab to run a full panel, so we have to prioritize the tests. This checks for anemia and gives us an idea of the protein level in the bloodstream.