How to inject a dog at the withers: step-by-step instruction, expert advice

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Treatment of pets is usually trusted by experienced veterinarians, as in the clinic a specialist will select the exact dosage of a particular drug and carry out the procedure in accordance with all the rules. But is this approach appropriate if the therapy involves several injections? In this case, it is more reasonable to carry out treatment at home, but only on the condition that you know exactly how to inject a dog in the withers.

Injection tool

Depending on the dose of the drug, its properties, as well as the dimensions of the animal, a syringe of a certain volume is selected. Often use a tool for 2 and 5 ml. In this case, you should carefully dial the medicine, paying attention not only to the numbers located on the scale, but also to the divisions between them.

Before you inject the dog subcutaneously at the withers, you should choose the right tool. It is better for representatives of small breeds to administer the drug with a syringe, the volume of which is 2 ml. Some choose insulin syringes. They are more preferable, as they have a thin needle, which, when injectedcauses minimal discomfort. For animals of large breeds, this option is not suitable, since they have rough skin, and therefore a thin needle can bend or simply break. But if the drug is viscous, then in any case, the injection should be done with a 5 ml syringe: its needle will allow the solution to penetrate the skin much faster.

Aseptic and antiseptic rules

The skin of the dog does not require treatment before the administration of the medicine: they do not wipe it with an antiseptic, since the natural lubricant has antimicrobial properties, and the hair is not shaved. But at the same time, the skin must be clean and without serious damage.

In some cases, veterinarians still recommend antiseptic treatment. In these situations, it is necessary to clarify what exactly to apply for this purpose. This is due to the fact that alcohol, which we usually use for disinfection, is not suitable for animal skin. In extreme cases, when it is not possible to consult a specialist, you can wipe the injection site with Betadine.

To prevent infection from entering the wound, when you give two injections from one syringe, you must use interchangeable needles. They, like the syringe itself, must be new.

Self security

If you are giving an injection to an unfamiliar animal, then in this case, protect your hands with gloves. And in any case, before injecting a dog in the withers, it would be right to put a muzzle on it: even the calmest pet can react to paincustom.

Medication for injection: how not to harm your pet

Medicine for injection should be stored in a closed ampoule. If its contents are designed for two times, then it is necessary to immediately distribute the medicine into separate syringes. The second dose is stored in the refrigerator (if allowed by the manufacturer, which must be indicated in the instructions), covering the needle with a cap. Do not draw up all the drug in one syringe and inject half the dose: the dog may twitch, because of which you will inject more medicine than required.

Remember that not every drug can be stored for a long time. In most cases, the shelf life is limited to five days, but if the medicine is based on live bacteria, then its shelf life will be no more than 72 hours.

In situations where there is no exact information about the storage rules, it is more expedient to dispose of the remains, and each subsequent time to open a new ampoule. Otherwise, the drug may deteriorate, and at best you will inject the animal with a solution that has already lost its medicinal properties, at worst - a toxic substance.

Regulations on the use of medicines

A single dose of medication should not exceed the recommended maximum of 90 ml per 1 kg of body weight. In addition, only one drug can be drawn into one syringe. This is due to the fact that many drugs are simply incompatible, and therefore, by mixing them, you risk causing irreparable harm to your pet's he alth.

And don't forget before injectionwarm the syringe with the medicine in the palm of your hand or first lower it into a container of warm water.

How to give a subcutaneous injection?

• Before you inject the dog in the withers, prepare the medicine for injection. Make sure you take the correct drug.
• Slightly file the ampoule in the marked area and break it, after covering this area with a piece of cotton wool.
• Dial the required portion of the drug into the syringe, then turn the needle up and slowly push the plunger to remove air bubbles.
• Gather the skin in the area of the shoulder blades (at the withers) into a large fold and squeeze firmly with your fingers so that it does not slip out during the procedure. Pull it up a little, but make sure your dog doesn't get hurt. Lightly knead the area with your fingers.
• Insert the needle parallel to the spine or at a slight angle (at an angle of about 45˚). If you feel that the resistance has noticeably decreased, then you have completely pierced the skin.
• Insert the needle a couple more millimeters and slowly begin to put pressure on the piston. In this case, the syringe cannot be turned, as this will cause additional discomfort to the pet, and next time it will be quite problematic to inject the dog in the withers.
• Once the medicine is completely injected, without releasing the skin from the hand, slowly withdraw the needle.
• Gently rub the injection site with your fingers and be sure to praise your pet for their patience.

If the dog's withers injection is done correctly,then, as practice shows, at the injection site it will be possible to feel only a small tubercle without edema. There should be no blood or hematoma.

Communicating with a pet

If your dog resists in every possible way, then in such a situation it is strictly forbidden to resort to force. This behavior will further alienate the pet and subsequently it may become more aggressive. You must speak in a confident voice and at the same time show goodwill. It is important not to neglect this recommendation, as animals very subtly feel the inner panic of their owner. And if you are very nervous, then you will not be able to hide it.

If this is not the first time you have given your dog an injection, then, first of all, it must be calmed down. Do not deceive the pet, it is better to immediately show him the syringe, then cheer him up and ask him to behave himself. Usually the four-legged agree to endure, even if they know that the procedure is not entirely pleasant. The key is to be patient and talk to your dog gently.

If the first injection is planned, then before injecting the dog in the withers, it will not be superfluous to enlist someone else's support. But not just to keep the pet by force. An assistant will help distract him, pet him and talk to him while you perform the procedure.

At the end, you need to praise and caress the animal. Treat him with some treats, and in the future your four-legged friend will know what a delicious treat awaits him for good behavior.

What do you need to remember?

Knowing how to give a dog an injection at the withers, you can give her first aid at any time. But there are some important things to keep in mind here.

1. During the procedure, do not hesitate, do everything quickly, confidently, but do not make sudden movements so as not to make the dog even more painful.
2. The medicine must be warmed up, but it is important not to overdo it. Its temperature should not be higher than the body temperature of the animal.
3. The injection is made exactly at the withers. If you miss, then this is fraught not only with severe discomfort for the pet, but also with the development of inflammation.
4. Not all drugs can be injected under the skin. In order not to harm the he alth of your four-legged friend, carefully read the instructions.

Possible complications and methods of eliminating unpleasant consequences

It is not difficult to give a subcutaneous injection to a dog in the withers. However, some complications are sometimes possible, the development of which will require certain actions from the owner.

If during the procedure you notice that blood has appeared in the syringe, this indicates that the vessel was hit. In this situation, the needle must be carefully removed, applied to the damaged area with cotton wool, and after a few minutes, make an injection slightly lower or higher

• A hematoma may appear at the injection site. Here it is recommended to apply magnesia or apply an iodine mesh. In the latter case, it is important to be careful, as a large amount of iodine can cause severe irritation. If after two daysthe inflammatory process has not stopped, the animal must be urgently shown to the veterinarian.
• If there is slight bleeding after the injection, a cold compress will help stop it. It is applied literally for a quarter of an hour.
• If you accidentally injected the medicine in the wrong place, which provoked a pain shock, or the drug was not diluted properly, and therefore the animal received an unreasonably large dose, then in this case, the manipulation site should be pricked with water for injection or 0.25% -0.5% novocaine solution.

Re-injecting the dog at the withers is usually easier, as you will already have some experience. But it is allowed to continue the procedure only if the skin has completely recovered after the first injection.