Giving injections? Any tips?

I posted yesterday about my BP looking like she's losing pigment. I took her to the vet last night and she has a bacterial infection. They gave me Betadine to rub on her daily, and also I have to give her injections every three days. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips for giving her the injections? The vet showed me how to do it, but I'm scared to death. She's my first snake and I love her to death. I don't want her to hate me for poking her with a needle! :(

Best info I've ever seen on the subject

YouTube - Injectable Solution ( enrofloxacin ) - part 1

YouTube - Injectable Solution ( enrofloxacin ) - part 2

We have had to inject antibiotics before, just go in at the side,not too low and it doesnt seem to bother them at all.

Around the midpoint on the body.

I am also curing my BP calico male for RI.

The doctor suggested me to:


1 Inject the first third of the body. (from the head)
2 Insert needle through scales
3 At an angle of 45 deg.
4 Massage the area to let the muscle absorb meds.

Dont be afraid if you feel that the needle wont go in, their skin is very though.
It was the first time for me too, and Its normal you are scared a little..I was a little freaked out too.

Good luck

Luca

Hi,

Don't you mean between the scales?

I've never heard of anyone trying to inject through the middle of a scale and would have thought it would only make the process more difficult.

I was also told to inject in the muscle either side of the spine and make sure not to inject too deeply but stay within the muscle.

And, as well as the massage afterwards to alternate sides and location so you are not injecting into already tender tissue.


dr del

Between the scales is the way to go. Ask your vet to give you an extra needle and syringe. Then practice on an orange or grape fruit.

The thing to remember is the quicker you do it the less pain the animal feels. Slowly sliding the needle in is going to be very painful for both you and the snake. Once you find your spot and get set GO! in goes the needle and in goes the meds. You do this a few times and you can give the shot before they even flinch. Their like "whooo what was that" and is over.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

Don't you mean between the scales?

I've never heard of anyone trying to inject through the middle of a scale and would have thought it would only make the process more difficult.

I was also told to inject in the muscle either side of the spine and make sure not to inject too deeply but stay within the muscle.

And, as well as the massage afterwards to alternate sides and location so you are not injecting into already tender tissue.


dr del

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Same things I was told. Also towards the head not the tail at a 45 degree angle. I found the Ralph Davis video extremey helpful, as well as the Ocean Animal Clinic website. I never had anyone restrain my girl so I had to go at it alone. It's definitely not one of my fave things to do.