Guideline for tick antiserum production in dogs

Animal Research Review Panel Guideline 11

revised September 2025

Introduction

The following guidelines have been produced by the Animal Research Review Panel (ARRP) to assist producers of dog tick antiserum in developing their own guidelines or standard operating procedures, to be approved by the supervising animal ethics committee (AEC).

Records

In addition to the routine record keeping required for all research animals inclusive of daily husbandry, monitoring, vaccinations, routine health checks and veterinary examinations, for dogs used in the production of tick antiserum detailed records should be kept of:

Frequency, duration and numbers of ticks applied and any adverse reactions
Pre-blood collection health checks
Blood volumes collected, frequency, and any complications observed
Results of complete blood counts and full screen biochemistry tests.

Selection of suitable animals

The selection of dogs used in tick antiserum production should be based on proven tick resistance, temperament compatible to the tick antiserum production process, health and conformation inclusive of adult weight > 24kg.

Tick antiserum production procedures

Dogs should be trained with consent-based handling to confidently participate in the tick placement and blood collection processes. Co-operative care approaches should be used for all procedures, with dogs being invited to “opt-in” in exchange for a reward that is meaningful to that individual (e.g. high value food, play with a preferred toy, social interaction with handler).

Blood should be collected from healthy adult dogs aged 1-7 years of age

Induction of hyper-immunity

Ticks should be placed by an experienced operator or under the supervision of an experienced operator using minimal or no restraint
Ticks should be introduced to dogs in gradually increasing numbers over several weeks using as few as possible to induce hyper-immunity
Dogs showing adverse reactions should be closely monitored and treated if necessary
*Dogs that persistently exhibit adverse reactions, tick-removal behaviour, or show signs of aversion to the tick placement or bleeding procedures despite behavioural support and veterinary care should be retired from the program, with rehoming arranged as required.

Collection of blood for hyperimmune serum production

Collection procedure

Blood collection and, where utilised, sedation or anaesthesia, should be undertaken using best practice approaches. All personnel involved in blood collection must be trained in the required techniques and animal handling to minimise stress to the animals.

Pre-collection screening:

Before the first collection, animals should be clinically examined, weighed, and have a complete blood count performed
Animals with a haematocrit (HCT) or packed cell volume (PCV) of less than 35% should not be used
Ongoing pre-collection checks should include weight, temperature, pulse, and respiration rate measurements, as well as a repeat mini blood profile (PCV/Total plasma protein (TPP) values).

Anaesthesia:

Where utilised, sedation and general anaesthesia should be undertaken with short acting agents to facilitate rapid recovery, avoiding agents that may interfere with platelet function or induce significant hypotension.

Blood collection:

The site for blood collection (jugular vein preferred; saphenous or cephalic veins as alternatives) should be prepared aseptically to minimise infection risk
Blood should be collected over a period of 5–10 minutes.

Maximum volume:

20mL/kg per bleed, depending on the acute and long-term response of individual animals.

Frequency:

Blood collection should not be repeated more than once every 4 weeks pending an individual animal’s response including HCT or PCV/TPP.

Monitoring during collection

Donor dogs must be continuously monitored throughout blood collection for early indicators of hypovolaemia, including mucous membrane colour, capillary refill time, pulse quality, blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate
Blood collection must be stopped immediately if the animal exhibits signs of cardiovascular or respiratory compromise (e.g. pallor, weakness, collapse, tachypnoea, or hypotension).

Supportive therapy:

Isotonic fluids (e.g., saline or lactated Ringer's solution) intravenously or subcutaneously should always be available to help restore circulating volume if animals show signs of hypovolaemia.
An oxygen supply must be readily available for immediate administration to any donor showing clinical signs of hypoxia or hypotension, in conjunction with fluid therapy as indicated.

Post -Collection Care

Ensure haemostasis at the venipuncture site
Provide ongoing water access during the post-collection recovery and food immediately post-collection if no sedation or anaesthesia or once fully recovered from sedation/anaesthetic.
Monitor the animal for complications such as:
- Bruising at the venipuncture site
- Irritation at the clipped/prepped area
- Signs of hypovolaemia (e.g., pale mucous membranes, lethargy).

Rehoming

All reasonable steps must be made to rehome dogs kept for research by accredited research establishments and the holders of animal research authorities at the end of their use in research (maximum three years without an approved extension). Establishments can also refer to the ARRP Guideline for compliance with the Animal Research Amendment (Right to Release) Act 2022.

Other relevant guidelines

Further information is available on the Animal Ethics Infolink regarding guidelines for institutions keeping dogs for use in research including the supply of dogs and cats for use in research, the care and housing of dogs in scientific institutions and rehoming dogs after use in research.

References

Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice, Vol 19, No 2 (May), 2004: pp 55-62; Collection and Preparation of Blood Products. R.L. Lucas, LVT, K.D. Lentz, LVT, and A.S. Hale, DVM

Diehl KH, Hull R, Morton D, Pfister R, Rabemampianina Y, Smith D, Vidal JM, van de Vorstenbosch C; European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries Association and European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods. A good practice guide to the administration of substances and removal of blood, including routes and volumes. J Appl Toxicol. 2001 Jan-Feb;21(1):15-23. doi: 10.1002/jat.727. PMID: 11180276.

Principles of Canine and Feline Blood Collection, Processing, and Storage. Anthony C. G. Abrams-Ogg and Shauna L. Blois. In Schalm's Veterinary Hematology, 7th Edition Marjory B. Brooks (Editor), Kendal E. Harr (Editor), Davis M. Seelig (Editor), K. Jane Wardrop (Editor), Douglas J. Weiss (Editor) ISBN: 978-1-119-50052-0 February 2022; Wiley-Blackwell.

Foy DS, Friedrichs KR, Bach JF. Evaluation of Iron Deficiency Using Reticulocyte Indices in Dogs Enrolled in a Blood Donor Program. J Vet Intern Med. 2015 Sep-Oct;29(5):1376-80. doi: 10.1111/jvim.13598.

Maier-Millar KK, Farrell KS, Epstein SE. Evaluation of Iron Status and Hematologic Parameters in Canine Blood Donors With Various Donation Frequencies. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2025 Jul-Aug;35(4):353-360. doi: 10.1111/vec.70005.

Animal Research Review Panel Guideline 11