Please read the general principles of blood sampling page before attempting any blood sampling procedure.

Technique

Snipping the tail surgically is a crude method of sampling and should be avoided as it involves the removal of soft tissue from the tip of the tail using a scalpel, resulting in permanent damage to the tail and pain to the mouse. An additional limitation of the technique includes contamination, with the sample containing tissue fluid as well as blood. The saphenous vein and tail vein are more appropriate routes of sampling for most studies and strains of mice. 

Tail snip technique in other animals

The tail snip technique is not appropriate for use in other species.  

All blood sampling techniques in the mouse