Giving Injections to Animals

By Randy Kidd
Published on September 1, 1978
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Proper technique is important when giving injections. Here the farmer is using the
Proper technique is important when giving injections. Here the farmer is using the "slap-slap-stick" method to numb the area where the needle will enter.
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Method of delivering an intramuscular injection to the neck.
Method of delivering an intramuscular injection to the neck.
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Method of delivering an intramuscular injection to the thigh.
Method of delivering an intramuscular injection to the thigh.
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Method of delivering an intramuscular injection to the rump.
Method of delivering an intramuscular injection to the rump.
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Method of giving a subcutaneous injection into the neck.
Method of giving a subcutaneous injection into the neck.
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A cow properly restrained and positioned for an intravenous injection.
A cow properly restrained and positioned for an intravenous injection.
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Diagram of muscles in the rump area.
Diagram of muscles in the rump area.
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Intravenous injection into a cow's neck.
Intravenous injection into a cow's neck.
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Diagram shows possible locations for giving injections.
Diagram shows possible locations for giving injections.
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1) Pull the plunger back before inserting the needle into the bottle. 2) Then hold the bottle upside down and force a bit of air into the container. 3) Pull back again on the plunger to draw out some liquid. 4) Repeat this pumping process until the syringe is filled.
1) Pull the plunger back before inserting the needle into the bottle. 2) Then hold the bottle upside down and force a bit of air into the container. 3) Pull back again on the plunger to draw out some liquid. 4) Repeat this pumping process until the syringe is filled.

If you hate, detest, or just plain fear being on the receiving end of THE NEEDLE as much as I do, you’ll probably be surprised to learn that giving injections to livestock is a fairly simple process. In fact, when dealing with birds or animals that can be easily restrained, injections are often the simplest and best way to administer most kinds of medication. Furthermore, if the job is done properly, the beasts hardly seem to mind at all … at least they don’t carry on the way I do when I’m on the receiving end of the procedure.

Know What You’re Doing

On the other hand–easy or not–jabbing a foreign substance into any living creature is a serious act. As well as a potentially dangerous one (incorrect medication, administered incompetently, can kill an animal far more quickly than will most diseases).

Before attempting to give any sick bird or animal any kind of medical injection, then, make sure you know what you’re doing and that you have correctly diagnosed the ailment you’re trying to treat. And if you have any doubts on either of these scores (that you know what you’re doing or that your diagnosis is correct), consult your vet and be ready to pay for his good advice before you proceed any further.

Then and only then, obtain the recommended medication and read its label … SEVERAL TIMES. It’s an interesting thing about labels: They usually contain information on dosages and correct administration–almost everything, in fact, that you need to know about a drug, vaccine, etc.–which, if followed, will keep you from misusing the products they describe.

Once again, then, please remember that the science of medicine is not an area of human activity that often forgives sloppiness in any form. And that goes double for the specific practices of medicine discussed in this article: Even the correct medicine wrongly injected can be fatal. Make sure you know exactly what you’re doing before you fill that first syringe or touch that first needle to skin.

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