Disclosed are improved methods for creating a uniform vascular wound in a zebrafish larva or zebrafish. The methods illustratively include subjecting a zebrafish larva to laser irradiation in an amount and for a period of time effective to cause a uniform vascular wound in the zebrafish larva; or exposing a zebrafish to water containing sodium hydroxide in an amount and for a period of time effective to cause a uniform vascular wound detectable in the gills of the zebrafish.