If you have ever taken your cat to the vet, you have probably received medication to administer to the pet at home. The thought of giving your cat an injection, however, can make an impression on some owners. Many medications are available in pills, but others, such as insulin, can only be given with an injection. The technical term for medicines in this category is "subcutaneous drugs"; they must in fact be administered under the skin (skin). Some injections can be given anywhere under the skin, while other drugs need to be given into a muscle (these injections are known as 'intramuscular'). The position required for the injection determines its mode. By knowing how to give your cat medication subcutaneously, you can reduce the anxiety you feel and keep your cat happy and healthy.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare the Cat for the Injection
Step 1. Make sure your cat is hydrated
If you are giving your pet a subcutaneous injection, it is very important that they are well hydrated before and after the procedure. If the cat is severely dehydrated, the drug may not be fully absorbed. This shouldn't be a problem for almost any healthy cat, but if you suspect your kitty may be dehydrated, you should seek advice from your vet to correct the situation.
Step 2. Decide where to inject
If you'd like to keep your cat on your lap to comfort him during the injection, consider that that way he is more likely to scratch or injure you. The animal could also associate that position with the injections. If you decide to keep it on your legs anyway, it is best to spread a thick towel over them to protect you from scratches. However, the best location is a hard surface, such as a coffee table.
Step 3. Choose an appropriate injection site
It can vary, according to the need for a simple subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. Even respecting these parameters, however, administering multiple injections in the same place on your cat's body can create problems for the animal. This is because it takes your body about 6-8 hours to fully absorb the fluids given by injection. Placing too much medication in one place before it is absorbed can cause edema, or an accumulation of fluids. This can make your cat uncomfortable and can prevent the drug from exerting its action.
- In most cases, you will be able to give your cat 10-20ml of the drug per pound of weight before having to choose a different injection site.
- Check your cat to make sure the drug is absorbed properly. You can do this by feeling the place where you gave the injection, as well as touching the animal's belly below that area, because fluids tend to accumulate in the lower part of its body.
Step 4. Rub the injection site with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol
Generally, this step is not necessary for cats who do not have compromised immune systems. Killing bacteria, however, is not the only benefit of this advice; rubbing alcohol on the pet's fur will flatten it, resulting in a better view of the skin at the time of injection.
Contrary to the relatively hairless skin of humans, it takes about thirty minutes for the thick fur of cats to be completely free of bacteria. Consequently, if you need to disinfect the place where you will give the injection, you must do it about half an hour before administering the drug and you should also make sure that your cat does not get dirty (for example by entering the litter box) in that period of time. weather
Step 5. Use food as a distraction
Right before giving your cat an injection, feed him something he really likes, such as canned cat food or tuna. As soon as it begins to feed, gently pinch it where you will puncture. After about five seconds, you should stop pinching the animal and remove the food from it. Return the bowl to its reach and pinch it harder. Repeat the training until your cat learns to tolerate pinching and stay focused on the food. This will help him prepare for the injection, reducing the pain and stress he will experience at the time of the injection.
Method 2 of 3: Give a Subcutaneous Injection
Step 1. Find a spot where your cat's skin is not tight
Generally, you will find the area where the skin is least taut and most flexible between the animal's neck and back. Gently squeeze the skin where it is most elastic and hold that point between your thumb and forefinger while distracting your cat with food. Lift a sort of "curtain" behind the animal's neck.
Step 2. Insert the needle
When you have a firm grip on your cat's skin, you should see a narrow strip of skin between your thumb and forefinger. Insert the needle into that strip.
- Always keep the needle parallel to the skin along your cat's back. If you tilt the syringe, you could puncture the animal's skin and prick your finger.
- Do not hold your thumb over the plunger if you are unsure whether the needle has been inserted correctly. By holding the plunger while inserting the syringe, you may be giving a premature injection, in case the cat moves or you missed the procedure.
Step 3. Pull the plunger out before injecting
Before administering the drug, it is important to pull the plunger back slightly. This is to make sure you have reached a correct injection site.
- If blood enters the syringe when you pull the plunger, you have reached a blood vessel. You will need to pull out the needle and try again in a different place.
- If air enters the syringe, you have pierced the cat's skin completely and sucked in the air from the room you are in. You will need to pull out the needle and try again in a different place.
- If no air or blood enters the syringe, you have reached an acceptable point and can continue with the injection.
Step 4. Inject the medication
Make sure you give all the liquid that is inside the syringe. When it is completely empty, carefully remove the needle, retracing the steps you took to insert it.
Hold the syringe between your index and middle fingers, using your thumb (of the same hand) to push the plunger
Step 5. Check for bleeding or other leaks
When you have finished your injection, you will need to make sure that no blood or medication is leaking from where you gave it. If you notice any of these fluids, use a clean cotton ball or tissue to press the wound until the secretion stops. It should take a minute, but if your cat moves around a lot it may take longer.
Step 6. Dispose of the needle you used following proper hygiene rules
Do not throw the syringe in the garbage at home, as the needles contain hazardous biological waste. Ask your veterinarian if they separate the syringes for disposal. Never put an uncapped needle in the trash, as it could cause injury or infection to anyone handling your trash.
Method 3 of 3: Give an Intramuscular Injection
Step 1. Find the right injection site
Your vet should have given you specific instructions on where to administer a drug intramuscularly and you should follow them to the letter. In general, most veterinarians recommend giving intramuscular injections into the quadriceps or lower back muscle along the spine.
Be extremely careful when giving your cat an intramuscular injection. If you insert the needle in the wrong place you could cause serious damage to the animal's nerves. For this reason it is best to follow all the instructions given to you by the vet. If any part of the procedure is not clear to you, or if you cannot find the recommended injection site on your own, call your vet or make an appointment for more detailed guidance
Step 2. Insert the needle
You should tilt it between 45 ° and 90 ° relative to your cat's skin, depending on where you have chosen for the injection. Flatten the animal's muscle to prevent movement and make sure the needle enters the correct way.
- Be sure to insert the needle at the angle shown by your vet. If the syringe is not tilted enough, the injection may not go deep enough and not penetrate the muscle.
- Do not hold your thumb over the plunger if you are unsure whether the needle has been inserted correctly. If your cat moves or if you don't inject properly, touching the plunger may cause you to administer the drug too soon.
Step 3. Pull the plunger out before injecting
As with subcutaneous injections, you should pull the plunger lightly before administering the drug. Air bubbles are not a problem in the case of intramuscular injections, but if you see blood you have to take the needle out and try again, because you have reached a blood vessel.
Step 4. Inject the medication
It is important to ensure that the full dose of the drug is administered. When the syringe is completely empty, carefully remove the needle, retracing the steps you took to insert it.
Hold the syringe between your index and middle fingers, using your thumb (of the same hand) to push the plunger
Step 5. Check for bleeding or other leaks
After you finish the injection, check that no blood or medication is leaking from the wound. If you notice fluid, use a clean cotton ball or tissue to press the spot where you injected. If you press right, it should take a minute to stop leaking or bleeding.
Step 6. Dispose of the needle you are using respecting hygiene rules
Used syringes are considered a biohazard, so they should never be thrown in the trash at home. Ask your veterinarian if they separate the used syringes to dispose of them.
Advice
- The best way to put the cap back on a syringe is to place it on the ground or on a table and pick it up with the needle. That way you can be sure you don't get hurt.
- Remember, if you don't feel confident enough to give your cat an injection, you can always go to the vet.
- Prepare the syringe before holding your cat still. Keep it handy so you can easily grab it when you're ready.
Warnings
- If you need to give your cat an insulin injection, be sure not to shake the vial before taking out the medicine. Instead, roll it gently between your palms to shake the medication and warm it up.
- If the cat tries to wriggle, ABSOLUTELY avoid that the animal goes away with the syringe attached to the body, because it could cause injuries if it tries to take it off or if it falls.
- Be careful when handling syringes. Using these tools incorrectly could prick yourself or administer the drug in your hand.
- Make sure you dispose of used needles respecting hygiene rules. Ask your veterinarian if he collects used syringes to dispose of them. Never throw a needle without a cap in the trash, as anyone handling it could injure themselves or get an infection.
