What is venipuncture used for in veterinary practice?

Venipuncture is primarily used to puncture a vein for the purpose of collecting blood or administering intravenous fluids and medications. This procedure is fundamental in veterinary practice because it allows for essential diagnostic testing, such as blood tests that can provide insights into an animal's health status. Additionally, venipuncture facilitates the administration of treatments that may need to be delivered directly into the bloodstream, ensuring rapid absorption.

Although vaccinations are an important part of veterinary care, they typically involve intramuscular or subcutaneous injections, not venipuncture. Surgical procedures require a different skill set and different methods for accessing veins, while checking an animal’s heartbeat generally involves auscultation rather than any invasive procedure. Hence, the correct answer accurately encompasses the primary purpose of venipuncture in veterinary medicine.