Sometimes dogs need injections. Vaccines that protect against a number of diseases are in injectable formulation and some drugs must be administered this way. If you want to learn how to perform this procedure yourself, you can benefit from it. By giving your dog the injections at home, you reduce his stress level, as well as lower the cost of veterinary care. However, you need to know the correct protocol before giving your pet a sting to make sure you are giving the medicine the right way and have a happy and healthy dog.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparing for the injection
Step 1. Review the health consensus
When you buy a vaccine or other injectable medicine for veterinary use, the pharmacist may ask you to sign a health consent form relieving him of any responsibility. Read your copy carefully, because the document not only provides very useful information, but also helps to understand your obligations when you decide to give yourself an injection.
- By signing it, you take full responsibility for the procedure and any reaction or incident that may occur. The consent warns about possible allergies or other life-threatening complications, which can occur even if the injection is done perfectly.
- Warnings inform you that the product may not be effective if expired, left at room temperature for too long, administered incorrectly, or exposed to heat, sunlight, or sub-zero temperatures.
- In some documents you will find written that if you are administering a rabies vaccine yourself, the injection will have no legal value for law enforcement, veterinary ASL and veterinary clinics. Check for this clause and fully understand its repercussions. The dog will be considered by law to be unvaccinated against rabies, which means that many canine boarding houses will not accept it and you will not be allowed to adopt other dogs from shelters, according to their regulations.
Step 2. First, get your dog used to the syringe
If the animal is nervous, accidents could happen. Get him to know the syringe and give it a few test taps before the actual puncture.
- If your dog has already been given injections at the vet's office, he probably associates the needles with pain and discomfort. To counter this, allow him to look, smell, and touch an empty syringe in a cozy room in the house.
- During the adaptation phase, offer him treats and other positive reinforcement, such as attention, praise, and playtime. Your goal is to get your dog to associate positive moments with the syringe, so as to reduce fear and anxiety when you give him the drug through an injection.
Step 3. Mix the liquid with the powder
Some substances that must be injected, especially vaccines, are contained in two vials, in one of which you will find a liquid and in the other a powder, which must be mixed before the puncture.
- Insert the syringe needle into the liquid vial and pull the plunger to completely aspirate the contents.
- Insert the syringe into the vial with the powder and inject the liquid. Before removing it, make sure you have emptied it completely.
- Shake the bottle. Check that the powder has completely dissolved. There should be no lumps or residues on the bottom of the container.
Step 4. Draw in the desired dose of medication
You should know the amount in milliliters of the vaccine or medicine you are going to give to the dog. Before giving the injection, draw the correct dose with the syringe.
- Insert the syringe needle into the vial with the liquid and powder solution. Pull the plunger in until you have filled the reservoir with the desired amount of medication.
- Check for air bubbles. If you notice any, push the plunger down to return the medicine to the vial and try again.
Part 2 of 3: Giving a Vaccine
Step 1. Learn about the four types of injections
Injectable drugs can be given to the dog by four methods; you need to know the differences and know which one to use for the specific medicine you are going to administer.
- Subcutaneous vaccines are injected just under the skin. Most vaccines are administered this way. The injection site is the loose skin found under the dog's shoulder blades. If you have decided to take care of the puncture yourself, always use the subcutaneous method. If the drug or vaccine needs to be given in another way, take the dog to the vet's office.
- Intramuscular vaccines are formulated to be injected into the muscle. If you are not a licensed veterinarian, you may have a hard time finding the muscle on your own. It is best to take the animal to the clinic.
- Nasal vaccines are injected into the nostrils with a specific tool provided by the manufacturer of the drug itself. Since dogs tend to move around a lot during the procedure and it's not always easy to get the equipment, you should let your vet take care of it.
Step 2. Find a flat surface
When giving a dog a sting, a hard, flat surface should be used.
- This countertop, such as a table or counter, offers plenty of space during the procedure. If you have a small dog, choose something low off the ground in case the pet tries to jump.
- Have a friend or family member to help you too. Even if your dog is calm in nature, he may get very agitated or react when he feels the sting. There should be another person to hold it during the injection.
Step 3. Lift the skin of the animal and form a sort of pouch with your fingers
When giving a vaccine subcutaneously, it is best to inject into the loose skin that is behind the dog's shoulder blade.
Lift the skin with your non-dominant hand, away from the shoulder blades. Hold the syringe with your dominant hand and guide the needle with your index or middle finger, so that it forms a 90 ° angle with the stretched skin surface. Push in to form a small pouch of skin. This way you minimize the risk of injecting the drug into a blood vessel
Step 4. Give the injection
Push the needle into the dog's skin.
- Before injecting the medicine, pull the plunger out a little. If you notice blood in the body of the syringe, it means that the needle is in a vein and you could harm the animal. Remove the needle, fill the syringe with new medicine and try again.
- When you have located a safe spot, slowly push the plunger down until all the liquid is injected.
Part 3 of 3: Keeping the Dog Observed
Step 1. Pay attention to skin reactions
It is normal for your dog to feel a little sore after the sting, but sometimes it could indicate an infection or allergic reaction. Check your skin after the procedure for any serious complications.
- Mild reactions are very common and typically consist of a small bump or edema around the needle insertion site. They can last a few hours or even a whole week.
- If you realize that your dog has hives, rashes or swelling in places other than the injection site, such as the head or shoulder blades, take him to the vet. This is a serious reaction that requires medical attention.
Step 2. Remember that some reactions are common
Some medications, especially vaccines, cause some discomfort; however, in most cases the benefits outweigh the risks. Your dog may experience a number of mild symptoms that should go away within a week.
- Fatigue and a mild fever are common complaints after an injection. The animal may be lethargic and inappetent in the following days.
- He may also experience some pain in the area affected by the needle. Be careful when touching it after an injection, especially if the contact is in the shoulder blade area.
Step 3. Know when to take your pet to the vet's office immediately
Severe allergic reactions are rare, but they can occur. They typically appear within 20-30 minutes of the procedure, and fainting is the most common symptom. If your dog displays any of the symptoms described here, seek immediate medical attention:
- He retched;
- Diarrhea;
- Lameness
- Fainting
- Convulsions.
Advice
- If possible, get help from a friend who owns a dog, as they are likely to be able to handle an animal correctly and in a way that reduces stress as much as possible.
- You should consider using a muzzle, to avoid getting bitten during the injection. Even the most docile dog can bite when frightened or restrained. Buy a soft and comfortable model at a pet store in your city; alternatively, close the dog's mouth with a piece of bandage wrapped around the muzzle and knotted behind the ears.
