There are some chronic illnesses that require repeat injections for some dogs; for example, allergies or insulin-dependent diabetes. Treatment options include loading up the dog, driving to the veterinarian, restraining the dog from aggressive or romantic encounters in the waiting room, lugging the dog up onto the exam table and then, following the injection, driving home and doing this multiple times a week. The other option is to learn to inject the dog at home. Hmmmm...
Instructions
1. Find someone to assist you, at least until you become proficient doing the injections.
2. Draw up the medication. Swab the top of the medication vial with an alcohol swab. Turn the vial upside down. Insert the needle. Draw out the correct dosage as measured by the calibration on the syringe. Expel any air bubbles from the syringe. Replace the needle guard over the syringe.
3. Place your dog in a position to your side, with its head facing forward, roughly under your arm. If you have an assistant helping you, have the assistant settle the dog and steady its position. At this point, the most important goal should be for everyone to exhibit a sense of calm and control-the dog included.
4. Put the syringe in a place where it can be easily reached. Grab the skin behind the dog's head, halfway between its shoulder blades. Gently lift the skin until it is raised in an inverted "v" (also described as a "tent" of skin).
5. Have your assistant remove the needle guard from the needle and hand it to you (or remove it by grasping the guard between your teeth if no one is assisting you.)
6. Hold the syringe between your thumb and middle finger, ring finger or both. Pierce the tent of skin with the needle angled slightly down so that it does not simply go through the tent. Inject the medication.
Tags: between your, have assistant, needle guard, tent skin