How to give a cat an injection at the withers

Not all four-legged pet owners want to visit a veterinary clinic to give their pet a subcutaneous injection. Some people prefer to do this on their own after studying the walkthrough. If the animal was prescribed injections, then it is more advisable to learn this skill. Some have the need to introduce vitamins in order to strengthen the overall health of the animal. It doesn’t matter what the true goal is, the essence is the same - today we will study the intricacies of injections.

Features

1. Let’s first take a look at what can unbalance you. There is no difference under the injection, injection and administration of the drug under the skin. These definitions are equivalent in essence. Also say that the syringe for injection and just the syringe are also equal. However, they differ in volume and purpose, can be equipped with a rubber layer or produced without it. To get the required dosage, you need to count milliliters or cubes (on a syringe).
2. Of particular importance is the dosage of the drug administered. It directly depends on what concentration of active substances. For example, lidocaine can be five percent or twenty percent. The first 9.5 sections of water and only 0.5 sections of the active substance. The second is based on 8 sections of water and 2 sections of the substance. In both cases, the person is dealing with the same drug, but the final dose of the drug administered depends on the proportions of the main substances.
3. It is worth paying attention to the fact that different in name drugs include the same active substance in the base. An injection is made by piercing the skin, and then a medicine is injected inside. The drug goes directly into the bloodstream, and is not absorbed by the walls of the intestine (as is the case with taking the tablets). Accordingly, the rules of administration and the selected dosage vary.
4. There is a separate category of drugs that must be brought to a certain temperature before administration. If the cat was prescribed a specific treatment, then before the injection, you need to hold the ampoule with the contents in the palms to warm it. This is extremely important if the drug was previously kept in the refrigerator. You can remove the ampoule from the cold in advance and leave it at room temperature.
5. In one place you can enter no more than a certain amount of medicine. This is due to the fact that the animal may manifest an allergic reaction, irritation, hematoma and other formations. There are frequent cases when a lump appears after the injection. It resolves on its own, but it is advisable not to allow this. If a large dose of the drug has been prescribed, it must be distributed at several points and injected along the spine.

Syringe selection

1. It is necessary to choose syringes with a rubber seal on the piston, it has a smooth stroke and high accuracy. It is advisable not to take a syringe for injecting insulin. It is suitable if there is nothing else. It's all about the small volume. However, the advantages of this option are also present. For example, the needle is thin, the scale is very detailed, the size is compact, and the piston runs smoothly. However, 1 ml. volume is not suitable for everyone.
2. Such a syringe is not suitable for injection on large animals. Also, with the help of it, it will not be possible to introduce a solution of oily consistency, since it will stand in the needle and clog it. If the syringe is intended for insulin, the needle is inserted along its entire length into the skin. If the pet panics, it will start to kick and break it off. This is a great danger.
3. Now about the syringes created for injection. They have a different volume, from 2 to 20 cubes.Suitable for such events, since the needle is thicker. When introducing solutions with an oily structure, the choice should fall on instances of 3 cubes or more. As the volume of the syringe decreases, the thickness of the needle decreases. But no one bothers you, for example, to remove the needle from a thick syringe and administer injections.

Important Rules

1. In the process of dialing the necessary dosage, follow the dividing scale (dashes). No need to type a solution, as they say, with a margin. Also, give the injections with a sterile syringe just removed from the individual package.
2. Do not touch the needle with your hands. Throw it away after use. If you need to make a couple of injections with one syringe, buy a set of needles with different caps, so as not to get confused. Discard used. Do not forget to use gloves.
3. The contents of the ampoule can be used once. Even if part of the drug remains, it is thrown away. If the drug is expensive, after printing the ampoule, fill in the contents with several syringes and keep in the refrigerator until further needs. Note that certain drugs are not stored for longer than 12 hours.
4. If the drug for injections is dispensed with powder, then it is pre-diluted with lidocaine or saline. However, everything must be done according to the instructions. If in doubt regarding breeding, call the veterinarian and consult with him. The doctor will tell you the exact proportions and storage conditions.
5. When buying, especially carefully read the name of the medicine and make sure that it is it. When living in a large family, ask household members not to touch the drugs so that they do not mix them up by accident. This is extremely true if there are no marks on the ampoules.
6. Remember that before you give an injection to an animal from an ampoule, you must read the name. Do not use the drug if the name or expiration date is over. When you act without the instructions of a specialist, it is strictly forbidden to combine a pair of drugs in one syringe.
7. The problem is that a different composition can give a chemical reaction in the form of oxidation. As a result, some component will precipitate. The consequence of all this will be a very painful injection. Regardless of the drug, there should be an instruction. It will clearly describe what the composition looks like.
8. If you notice that the description is not true, it is strictly forbidden to use such a drug. There are many drugs that can only be stored under certain temperature conditions. Remember that it is best to purchase drugs from your veterinarian or a trusted pharmacy.
9. If you visited a specialist and you were given exact instructions, you must re-check everything. See if the composition is allowed to be administered to an animal. For example, some medicines for dogs may be toxic to cats. Look in the instructions exactly where the composition is introduced.
10. It is important to consider the temperature of the drug when administered subcutaneously. Such information is provided in the packaging instructions. Sometimes solutions are introduced cool or warmed up to 40 degrees. Read the cautions, the composition can be administered quickly or slowly. Sometimes drugs are diluted further.
11. In some cases, before administration, the solution is shaken for homogeneity or just a few minutes. This should also be written in the instructions. Modern drugs are quite easy to open, manufacturers have taken care of this. Shake the container and press the cap away from you, it should break off.
12. If necessary, arm yourself with a special stone to file the glass. Soon you will easily open the ampoule. Be careful not to crush it. After a successful opening, do not get hurt, the edges of the container are very sharp and can leave a deep wound. After opening the ampoule with a volume of up to 2 ml. You can turn it upside down and fill the solution into a syringe.Content does not spill, do not worry.
13. If the ampoule has a volume of 3 ml. and more, do not turn it over. Place the container on a flat, vertical surface and draw the solution into the syringe. In principle, you should not have any difficulties. Remember that to draw the drug into the syringe is necessary for 1 division more. Then turn the syringe upside down with a needle, tap on it. Deflate to let out a drop of liquid.
14. Remember that in no case should the air get into the animal during the injection. This can be deadly. Especially do not allow large bubbles to enter if you put a dropper on a vein.

How to make an injection

1. Inspect the skin of the animal thoroughly. It is strictly forbidden to stab into the area if any damage or disease is present on it. Otherwise, an injection at the withers is the most convenient introduction of the necessary drug. By the way, this is not the only place where you can prick.
2. Remember that the skin covers the whole body of your pet, so in any place where it is well drawn, you can put an injection if necessary. If it was not possible to prick at the withers, the second good place will be the skin in the knee area.
3. Keep in mind, if you know that drugs are administered painfully, it is best to inject them at the withers. Thus, it will be possible to insert the needle a little deeper. In addition, the smallest number of nerve endings is concentrated in such a place and this is simply more convenient to do.
4. Lay down and reassure your fourth friend. Hold it well, the animal should not feel your excitement. Gain confidence. Best if another person insures you. He will help hold a frightened animal. The cat may get nervous while inserting the needle.
5. It takes some effort. The skin will not pierce so easily. The needle is inserted slowly, when compared with intramuscular injections. Always use an exclusively new sterile syringe. There is no need to cut the hair at the injection site and disinfect this place.
6. If necessary, warm the preparation according to the instructions. Take the animal by the withers and pull the skin up. Do not worry, you will be able to get, just calculate the strength so as not to pierce the withers through. Insert the needle at an angle to the spine. Do not go deep.
7. When the needle penetrates the skin, it will fall through and go easier. Start injecting serum gradually. Remove the needle sharply. Gently rub the place. The pet will behave well if it feels that you are confident in the actions.

Each person is able to carry out such manipulations on their own. No need to be afraid, there is nothing to worry about. Thousands of owners prefer to do this with their own hands, because either they do not have the opportunity to go to the clinic, or the doctor prescribed them injections for self-administration.

Video: how to give a subcutaneous injection to a cat