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This is the first year that we are testing our koi for Koi Herpes Virus (KHV). The koi are tested in Japan before we buy them but it is a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that isn’t as accurate as the Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) or the Virus Neutralization Antibody Assay (VN) serology test that is done here in the USA.

Our koi are quarantined in several individually filtered systems. We select koi from each system and also from each breeder that we purchased koi from. I set up a clean koi tub with water from the system that’s holding the koi we are about to test. I put anesthetic in the water to knock the koi out.

At this point the koi bowl is labeled with the reference number that indicates the tank and breeder that the koi has been kept in. We photograph it so the koi and reference number can be seen in the picture for future reference.

I use a 2 ½ “, 22 gauge spinal needle with a 3ml syringe. After the blood is drawn into the syringe it is put into a Microtainer tube that already contains the anticoagulant lithium heparin .

After the koi has been knocked out it is laid down on towels that are rolled up to support the koi, belly up.

With the koi completely anesthetized and laying flat on its back I pull the anal fin to the side and slide the needle under the scale so I don’t pull out it off when I remove the needle.

Once I’m under the scale I hold the needle perpendicular to the koi and push it straight in until I hit the spine. I pull the syringe back at this point and as I’m doing this I’m pulling back on the syringe plunger to start the drawing of blood.

In this picture you can see the blood flowing into the syringe. Sometimes the blood will flow and then stop so you might have to move the syringe in and out slightly to get the blood flowing.

It takes several koi to get used to doing this at least it did for me. If you happen to remove a scale it isn’t the end of the world because the location can’t be seen from above but the down side is it can be hard to see this location if it was to become infected from the injection. After we remove the needle we swab a little antibiotic on the area.