My first BP injection!

Yikes, and I thought giving my bearded collie ,who has Addison's disease his monthly shot was bad. Man do our pythons have pretty tough skin! Well thats OK ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Anyway, Priscilla, is none to happy with me! But baytril is on board so she should start to feel better soon. I am starting to feel like a real keeper now! My vet just laughs but he loves me and my wacky crew, plus he has a bunch of herps himself. That and the fact that my animals will windup putting his daughter through college.
Mike Kelly

Oh whoa, turned out to be RI huh?

It's great you managed to get her to the vet before it really started going downhill! Hope everything continues to go well.

(I'm really squicky about injections, but hey, you have to do it, right?)

You oughta check your needles.

I've ALWAYS know when I had a dull needle

Sharp ones go RIGHT in.

You can also try soaking your snake for 30 minutes to an hour before you give an injection.

It helps soften the skin and helps keep them hydrated, which we all know with antibiotics if a plus!

Just remember to inject from the back forward, under a scale, at a 45 degree angle towards the head. And always staying in the upper 1/3 of the animal in the back strap of meat along the spine.

Addendum to that, be sure the water is quite warm for the soaks. I know this goes without saying but it is particularly important when they are sick.

Hi,

Also I like to give the area a little massage after injecting and make sure to alternate sides/ areas for the next injection.


dr del

you should try giving a shot to a biter!
the paper towel roll with the hole in it works wonders, unless your snake is too large for a paper towel roll

Good point Derek.

I also like to alternate sides, as well as move up and down an inch or so. That way I'm not injecting in the exact same site I did before.

Another tip I thought of while giving some injections today. When you insert the needle leave the exposed area of the tapered tip up when you insert the needle, then turn it when it is in. This allows it to go in much smoother. Also, make sure you don't remove the needle too quickly or some of the meds will come out with it.