How and where to give a dog an injection at home

Although administering an injection to your dog at home can seem overwhelming, it can be a doable task with the appropriate planning and knowledge. Knowing what to expect from a routine vaccination or a prescription drug from your veterinarian is essential to guaranteeing your dog’s safety and comfort.

It’s critical to establish a peaceful space for your dog and yourself. Select a place where there won’t be many distractions, and prepare all the materials you’ll need in advance. All parties involved will experience less stress and a more seamless experience as a result.

It’s crucial to understand how to administer an injection correctly. Learn the procedure inside and out, including the proper injection depth and angle. In addition to making your dog feel more comfortable, doing this will guarantee that the medication is given correctly.

Giving injections at home will become more comfortable for you with a little patience and practice. Never forget that your veterinarian is available to help and advise you at any time.

What is important to know before giving an injection

1. You must have on hand a doctor"s prescription indicating the dosage of the drug, where to give the dog an injection, the frequency and duration of use.
2. Familiarize yourself with the features of the drug. Some need to be shaken, for example, Sinulox, others require dilution, for example, Ceftriaxone.
3. Drugs are not mixed in one syringe, unless there are instructions from the doctor that this should be done, for example, it is permissible to inject Analgin, Diphenhydramine, No-shpa together at elevated temperatures.
4. Injections are given with sterile syringes, a new one each time. This is due to the fact that, even if you boil it, the needle will still be stupid. It is not for nothing that syringes are called disposable.
5. Learn about injection techniques. You can give yourself an intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous injection at home.
6. Choose the right syringe size. For subcutaneous injections, 1-2 ml are most often used, for intramuscular injections – 2-5 ml, for intravenous injections – 10-20 ml.
7. Before the injection, the animal"s skin can be treated with an antiseptic. It is difficult to achieve ideal sterility, since there is fur around. But your pet"s skin has its own unique antimicrobial properties.

Remember to fix the dog. The pet may not receive the medication correctly or the needle may break if it twitches or runs.

There are multiple methods to avoid this:

• Fixation bag for small dogs up to 10 kg . Similar to a carrier, only the pet"s head remains outside. There are several lightning, unbuttoning one, you can extract the right paw and make an injection. If you loosen the Velcro a little, then it won"t be difficult to give a subcutaneous injection.
• If the pet reacts calmly to the procedures, then you need to put on a muzzle in any case, since the dog can react to pain and bite, even its beloved owner. This is a normal protective reaction for the animal. After putting on the muzzle, the dog is in a standing position. One person holds the collar, the second gives the injection.
• Some dogs are more comfortable lying on their side. In this case, a muzzle will also come in handy and the one who fixes it should be on the side of the dog"s back and hold the front and back paws, which will be below. This way, the pet will not have a point of support, and it will not be able to jump up, and at this time you can calmly give the injection.

Types of injections

Different kinds of injections exist:

• Subcutaneous. Most often in the withers area, but it is also possible in the knee fold and any other area. Subcutaneous administration of the drug is often less painful for the animal. Therefore, if the medicine according to the instructions is allowed to be administered in this way, then it is chosen.

A large volume of saline solution can be injected subcutaneously in the event that intravenous infusion of droppers is not available. This method quickly distributes the liquid throughout the tissues.

• Intramuscular. The injection is made into the shoulder or thigh. In the second case, you need to be careful, there is a chance of touching the sciatic nerve, then the dog may limp on the paw for several days. Most often, an injection into the muscle is done to administer antibiotics if it is not possible to administer them orally (through the mouth).
• Intravenous. The owner will be able to do this procedure on his own if a special catheter is in the paw in advance for quick access to the vein. This flexible plastic tube is located in the vessel, a special port is attached to the skin with a plaster on the outside. By opening its lid, you can insert a syringe without a needle or connect a drip system and administer the necessary drug. The advantage is that the medicine immediately enters the bloodstream and the therapeutic effect occurs faster.
• Intra-articular. It is carried out only by a veterinarian if the dog has arthritis and other joint diseases.
• Intraosseous. It is applicable when a very small puppy is in serious condition and intravenous access cannot be provided. Intraosseous administration of drugs is permissible only in a veterinary clinic .

How to give an injection in the withers (subcutaneously)

Each and every owner should be proficient in subcutaneous injection techniques. Since every situation is unique, every dog should have access to a first aid kit and the phone number of a doctor or clinic.

To apply the medication, you must use two fingers to gently tug the skin in the space between your shoulder blades. A 45-degree angle is the ideal one to insert the needle at. Generally speaking, the depth of administration is 1-2 cm, depending on the size of the dog. After giving the injection slowly, the needle is taken out.

Video instructions

How to give an intramuscular injection

The dog needs to be somewhat relaxed in order to administer an intramuscular injection into the thigh.

Select the paw’s softest area, insert the needle there between one and two centimeters deep at a 90-degree angle, and then gradually release the solution. After that, you can give the paw a little massage. The sciatic nerve or bone may come into contact with the needle if it is inserted too deeply. Nothing to be concerned about in this instance, though the dog might limp and feel uncomfortable for a few days. In this instance, you should inject into the other limb the next time.

Injection into the dog"s thigh – diagram

Video instructions

Intravenous

In a veterinary clinic, intravenous solution administration is done. When a single procedure is required, the veterinarian or assistant uses a long-tubed butterfly needle so that the vein is not harmed in the event that the dog twitches. If lengthy procedures are required, the paw is used to insert an intravenous catheter.

It is attached to the skin with a plaster and wrapped with a self-fixing bandage on top so that the dog does not chew it. The owner can use the catheter at home on his own. Unwind the bandage, open the catheter lid. Rinse it by inserting a syringe with a 0.9% saline solution of sodium chloride, and only then administer the medicine or put in an IV.

Crucial points

1. Use the catheter only with clean hands;
2. If blood gets on the skin, plaster or fur around it, it must be removed with a napkin with hydrogen peroxide;
3. To administer the medicine, the paw must be straightened as much as possible;
4. Rinse the catheter before and after the procedure with saline;
5. If the animal is restless, a lump and pain have formed above the catheter, then stop administering the medicine and consult a doctor;
6. The catheter can stay in the paw for up to 5 days, then if it is necessary to continue the procedures, it must be replaced;
7. It is better not to remove it yourself or do it very carefully: unwind the patch, remove the catheter, press cotton wool to the injection site and hold for 10-15 minutes.

Intra-articular

In order to make sure the needle has precisely entered the joint space, intra-articular injection is most frequently carried out with the assistance of an ultrasound sensor. The procedure is painful and sometimes done under sedation, so the dog needs to be well fixed. One benefit is that it’s not necessary to administer the injection every day.

With the correct methods and planning, administering an injection to a dog at home can be a simple procedure. You and your dog can experience less stress by knowing how to give the injection correctly, deciding where on your dog’s body to give it, and making sure everything is quiet. Pet owners can confidently give their dogs the prescription drugs they need at home with the right guidance.

If the dog has a lump after the injection

The dog develops a lump where the injection was made. There are various reasons why this could occur:

1. The drug gets into the skin. In this case, the dermis may become inflamed, only observation is required;
2. Abscess formation. If the injection was not performed sterilely, an infection may develop. The lump will increase in size, become hot, the dog may feel worse. In this case, you need to see a doctor, perform an autopsy, treatment and drainage of the purulent cavity;
3. Incorrect administration of the drug. If the drug is not intended for subcutaneous administration, you still inject it subcutaneously, then the dog may develop an area of ​​​​fibrosis, necrosis or a sterile abscess. Contact the clinic and do not forget to look at the instructions for the drug.
4. Normally, a small swelling forms after the vaccine injection, it should resolve within a month;
5. After the introduction of large volumes of liquid subcutaneously, a kind of "hump" can form, which dissolves without a trace after a few minutes;
6. A small lump may appear if you hit a vessel, in this case, blood will be visible on the surface of the skin. There is nothing to worry about, you just need to press the cotton wool with antiseptic and hold for 5-10 minutes.

It is best to get in touch with a veterinary clinic if you are unsure about your ability to administer the injection correctly.

When done correctly, giving a dog an injection at home can be a simple procedure. To minimize tension, it’s critical to prepare both you and your pet for the experience. Learn the specifics of the injection type and adhere to your veterinarian’s instructions. By being prepared, you can make sure that your dog gets the care they require in a safe manner.

Your dog will be more at ease throughout the process if you can find a peaceful, quiet area in your house. Injecting future patients can be made easier by fostering a positive environment with treats and kind praise. It is important that you place your dog in a secure and comfortable position so that you can confidently give the injection.

Keep an eye out for any strange reactions in your dog following the injection. You can spot any side effects that might need veterinary care by monitoring their behavior. Giving your dog an injection at home can become a manageable task that benefits their health and well-being with patience and practice.

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