How to give a dog an intramuscular injection in the thigh

What is important to know about injections for dogs

At the first sign of a pet’s illness, do not rush to treat it yourself. The first thing you need to do is take your dog to the vet. He will conduct a detailed examination and then prescribe treatment.

Minor ailments can be eliminated with tablets. More serious diseases are already treated with repeated injections.

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An experienced veterinarian will tell you in detail all the nuances of how to give a dog an injection, at what time of day, and other secrets.

Having remembered the doctor's instructions, it would also be a good idea to study the instructions presented on the medicine wrapper.

Only after careful preparation can you begin the procedure.

Types of injections

Before carrying out the manipulations, it is important to decide where to inject the dog: intramuscularly or subcutaneously.

An intramuscular injection is placed in the pet's thigh or shoulder, which is quite rare.

Subcutaneous injections are most often given at the withers or in the area of ​​the shoulder blade.

Let's look in detail at the rules for introducing each of them.

How to give a dog an intramuscular injection in the thigh?

The hip is a less sensitive place, so the procedure will not seem so painful for the dog.
Make sure that before you give your dog an intramuscular injection, make sure that the muscle is in a relaxed state. If you feel a little tension, lightly massage the area where you will prick with your hand. Knead until the dog relaxes.

During manipulation, bend your paw slightly and place the needle at an angle.

For small breeds the needle is inserted at a distance of 0.7 to 1.5 cm. For large dogs - from 1.5 to 3.5 cm.

Large doses of the drug are administered very slowly.

What syringe will you need?

To select a syringe, you will have to take into account several important factors. These include:

1. Age and size of the animal
   . An insulin syringe with a volume of 1 ml is suitable for puppies and small breed dogs. For an adult and large dog weighing more than 10 kg, it is better to choose a more substantial tool. A short needle will simply pierce the skin without reaching the desired muscle, or even bend.
2. Features of the administered drug
   . Oily substances are not suitable for small syringes, as they quickly clog the outlet. Focus on a 5 ml volume, aligning it with a 2 ml needle. This trick will help reduce pain.
3. Dosage
   . Make sure that the recommended amount of the drug fits into the selected instrument. Too many injections are a real challenge even for brave pets.

When working with puppies you need to be extremely careful. In their case, it is better to insert even the smallest needle only partially.

Sequence of actions before injection

It is possible that most dog breeders are familiar with such treatment procedures. They cope with this task without any problems. But not all novice breeders are trained before dealing with four-legged friends.

Before giving your dog an injection intramuscularly or under the skin, you need to:

1. Select a suitable syringe.
2. Decide on the dosage.
3. Prepare the animal for the injection.
4. Follow the rules for handling medications.

Choosing a syringe

Using the correct syringe is important in this procedure.

What to consider when choosing:

• animal size;
• pet's age;
• the amount of medication administered;
• properties of the drug.

The owner of a large or medium-sized dog breed, for example, a German shepherd or Rottweiler, should choose a 2-cc syringe and inject 1 ml of the drug.

It is advisable to inject small breeds, for example, Spitz, Yorkie, Chihuahua, with an insulin syringe. This will make the procedure less painful.

If it comes to puppies, then an insulin syringe is also taken here, but the needle is not inserted completely.

There are situations when it is necessary to administer an oil-based medicine to your pet. In this case, using an insulin syringe will not bring the desired result. Oil often clogs a thin needle and is difficult to inject under the skin. It is better to choose a syringe with a thicker needle, but, again, do not insert it all the way.

When choosing a syringe based on the volume of the drug that needs to be administered, it is better to plan right away: inject your pet twice or it is better to choose one syringe with a larger capacity. After all, even the most patient dog does not always withstand such unpleasant procedures. And if you manage to give an injection the first time, then the second time the dog will already understand that it is unpleasant.

Deciding on the dosage

This issue can be discussed with your veterinarian. In addition, there are also standards that indicate the maximum volume of the medicine. They are based on the weight of an adult pet.

For puppies, the dosage is usually indicated on the drug packaging.

If the amount of the drug that needs to be administered as prescribed by the doctor exceeds the norm, then it must be divided into two syringes and injected into different parts of the body.

The above standards apply exclusively to intramuscular injections. In the case of hypodermic injections, several syringes can be attached to one needle. In this case, the amount of medication should not be higher than 80 ml per kg of pet.

Details

For small breeds, it is better to take an insulin syringe, since it is just enough for many drugs in volume, and its needle is low-traumatic and reduces the stress of the procedure. In cases where you need to inject yourself into the withers of a large breed dog or a breed with thick skin, choose syringes with a regular thin needle. A thick needle is used only if the viscosity of the drug requires it.

The volume of the syringe is always chosen with a reserve, since it is better to insert the needle once and inject it than to catch the animal several times and aggravate the stress. Injecting a dog at the withers subcutaneously, when placed correctly, does not bring long-term pain to the animal.

The fact is that the withers or scruff of the neck is the place with the least sensitivity not only in canines, but also in cats. Remember, it is precisely this place, the easily moved skin above the shoulder blades at the base of the neck, that mothers carry their puppies.

Preparing your pet for the procedure

Before injecting a dog intramuscularly or subcutaneously, it is important that the pet is in a state of calm at the time of the procedure. If the dog is too active, there is a chance that the needle may get stuck or break. This will harm the animal, since it will be impossible to remove the needle yourself.

Pets are often afraid of injections. In this case, it is better to carry out the procedure together: place the dog on its side and, holding its paws, give the injection.

The moral preparation of a pet is also important. To calm the dog, you need to lightly stroke him and distract him. After the manipulation, you can give a treat for encouragement.

It is important to maintain your calm. Then the dog will trust you, and his anxiety will go away.

Recommendations for preparation

Before giving your dog an intramuscular injection, you need to:

• Make sure that the name of the drug written on the ampoule corresponds to the product prescribed by the veterinarian.
• Wash your hands with soap.
• Wipe the ampoule with a swab moistened with alcohol.
• File the neck of the ampoule and break it.
• Remove the syringe and needle from the paper packaging, then, taking the needle by the base, put it on the syringe.
• Draw the solution from the ampoule into a syringe.
• Turn the syringe with the needle up and remove air from it by pressing on the piston. An indicator that the air has completely escaped is the appearance of a solution at the end of the needle.

There is no need to wipe the injection site with an antiseptic: the skin of dogs is covered with a protective layer of natural lubricant that has antibacterial properties.

An important step in preparing for an injection is to create a positive psychological mood for the dog. If your dog is afraid and anxious, his muscles will be tense and it will be more difficult to insert the needle. Therefore, veterinarians strongly recommend that before the injection, sit next to the pet, caress it, and treat it with something tasty.

It is believed that the optimal time for such a procedure is after a walk and food. Your pet will be in a good mood and half asleep, and then the injection can be done quickly and accurately. If the dog has an aggressive character, it is recommended to put a muzzle on it and use the help of one of the family members - the dog needs to be held and stroked.

How to Handle Injectable Medicines

The ampoule with the medicine is opened with an auxiliary nail file, which is included with the medicine. Also, such cones are often marked with a special place, by clicking on which you can open the drug.

After breaking the ampoule, you should not miss one important point: moisten the cotton wool with alcohol and wipe the edges of the break. This removes any unwanted bacteria that may have passed from your hands. After all, even thoroughly washed palms do not guarantee sterile cleanliness.

In addition, you need to follow several rules:

1. Each administration of the medicine should be carried out with a new sterile needle.
2. It is forbidden to touch the needle with abuse.
3. Ampoules should not be stored, even if the drug is not fully used.
4. Wash your hands before and after each manipulation.

Hint: if there is medicine left in the ampoule and it will be used within the next 2-3 days, then the medicine can be drawn into a syringe and left in the refrigerator. The syringe must be closed with a needle with a cap.

When the drug is drawn up, be sure to turn the syringe with the needle up to remove air bubbles.

There are also general rules for using injections:

1. Before giving a subcutaneous or intramuscular injection to a dog, the dog’s skin does not need to be disinfected with alcohol. The animal's skin is already endowed with an antibacterial layer.
2. Before opening the ampoule, the medicine should be slightly warmed to room temperature.
3. The area of ​​skin where the injection will be given must be clean and free of any skin damage. You need to examine your dog especially carefully in case of a subcutaneous injection. The dog can scratch the punctured area and cause an infection.
4. When giving an intramuscular injection, do not forget about the nerve endings.

Where to inject - choose and prepare the place

“Giving” an intramuscular injection is not easy, especially when the owner has no experience in carrying out this procedure. Everyone is scared for the first time - what if I inject in the wrong place, what if I puncture a nerve, what if I damage a bone or vessel with a needle. Psychologically, it is also very difficult to stick a syringe into a pet’s paw. Here it is important to understand that you are not torturing the animal, but on the contrary, you are prolonging its life and taking care of its health. Following our instructions, you can inject your dog. So:

Injections are given intramuscularly in the hind leg. Carefully examine your pet's paw from the side, assessing the volume of muscles, thickness of bones and skin. The picture below clearly shows the area that should be carefully palpated.

The blue dot is the right place

The burgundy lines are the pelvic bone, femur bone, tibia (small and large). The dog needs to give an intramuscular injection into the thigh muscle, approximately where we see the blue dot in the picture.

Important! The safest area is from the femur on the right, if you look at the left paw, if at the right, then vice versa. It is in this part that there are no large blood vessels, tendons, or nerve endings; the bone is located far from the site of needle insertion. Therefore, even without experience, there is no chance of harming anything to the dog.

The needle should be inserted into the most powerful part of the muscle; it can be easily felt - you will always feel how the muscles roll during palpation. Above/below the muscle is thinner, it is taut and hard. It is extremely undesirable to stab into these places - it will hurt the animal, and you can damage a nerve, bone, or joint.

During the procedure, the muscle must be relaxed. You can relieve tension if you lightly massage the injection site when the paw is in a bent position. Before inserting a needle, it is not necessary to treat the injection site with alcohol - the dog’s skin is distinguished by the presence of a reliable antibacterial layer.

Consequences of unsuccessful injections

It is possible that erroneous manipulation can negatively affect the pet’s health and cause unwanted problems. And it absolutely does not depend on whether you injected the dog intramuscularly or under the skin.

What could be the consequences:

1. Lameness. After the injection, the pet may slightly press its paw, because the injection slightly injures the tissue. It may be common for a dog to pull his paw for several days. But, if the lameness is prolonged, then you have hit the nerve endings. In this case, you need to contact a veterinarian.
2. Heavy bleeding. By giving an injection, you violate the integrity of the blood vessels. Therefore, you should not be afraid of a slight bleeding. You can apply something cold. If the bleeding does not stop, call the veterinarian.

Keep calm and everything will work out for you!

Possible complications from injections

Unfortunately, even with the most responsible approach to the use of injections, side effects from the injections received by the dog are possible. The most common options are allergies, the development of lameness, the appearance of infiltration, the formation of abscess and tissue necrosis, and vascular embolism. Each case has its own reasons for the occurrence of a violation.

Allergy

Many medications have an irritating effect on the dog’s body, so it is not surprising that particularly sensitive individuals may develop allergic reactions. The first manifestations of trouble will be noticeable within 20–30 minutes after the administration of the medicinal composition, expressed in redness and swelling of the injection site, itching and restless behavior of the pet. The worst consequence is anaphylactic shock, which may well be fatal.

Lameness

Lameness is a completely natural result of a needle getting into a bundle of nerves. Often, dogs limp on their paws only in the first hours or days after the injection, and the severity of the symptom always gradually decreases. However, if after several days there is still no improvement, you should contact a veterinarian: you may need to take a course of novocaine blockade.

Appearance of infiltration

Infiltration is indeed one of the most common complications after intramuscular or subcutaneous administration of a drug, which is often explained by the following reasons:

• using a syringe with a blunt needle;
• the use of a short needle for intramuscular injection, used for subcutaneous or intradermal administration of medication;
• frequent punctures of the skin in one place;
• violation of disinfection requirements.

Externally, the infiltrate is presented in the form of a lump formed by an accumulation of lymph cells. Over time, it becomes inflamed and begins to hurt, but it goes away just as quickly without additional treatment. This process can be accelerated by periodically applying dry, warm compresses to the affected areas of the dog’s body.

Abscess

“Abscess” is a purulent inflammatory process in the soft tissues of a dog’s body, characterized by the formation of a free subcutaneous space filled with pus. The reasons for the appearance of this violation are the same as in the case of infiltrates, except that violation of the rules of asepsis is much more relevant here. In case of serious suppuration, only surgical cleaning of the damaged tissues, followed by the use of antibiotics, can alleviate the suffering of the animal.

It will be useful for you to know the causes, symptoms and treatment of abscesses in dogs.

Tissue necrosis

Necrosis (tissue death) usually develops after an unsuccessful puncture of a vein or accidental injection of a large amount of a highly active drug into the subcutaneous space (for example, calcium chloride solution). Also, from the list of root causes of the problem, you should not exclude the possibility of a through puncture of a vein or a “misfire” when trying to get into it. The main symptoms of necrosis usually include redness or bluish discoloration of the skin at the injection site, with a simultaneous increase in the temperature of a specific area of ​​the body.

In the event that the medicine does go into the subcutaneous space, it is important to apply a tourniquet above the injection site as quickly as possible, and lubricate the skin around it with a 0.9 percent sodium chloride solution. Just 50–80 ml can significantly reduce the existing concentration of an incorrectly administered solution.

Vascular embolism

There are drug-induced and air embolism of blood vessels, as a result of giving injections to dogs. The basis for the development of the first type of disorder is the introduction of oil solutions under the skin or into the muscle, with their further entry into the vessel. Once in the artery, the oil will certainly block its lumen, which will lead to disruption of the nutrition of neighboring tissues and their necrosis. Along with the blood flow, it can also enter the pulmonary vessels, and then the owner begins to notice a sudden attack of suffocation in the dog, severe coughing, blue discoloration of the upper body and associated restless behavior. Symptoms of the air type embolism appear even faster than the drug type and in some cases it takes only 2-3 minutes.