Will my snake hate me forever for giving shots?

[zina10]

Please don't re-use a needle. The risk of infection is not worth it..

And hang in there, almost done

[Aedryan Methyus]

Yeah... It's such a tiny little bit of medication in these syringes that it would be difficult to get it all out of one syringe and into another, anyway. So, i'll just have to go to the vet to get another one. I can't imagine that would cost too much. Maybe he'll be nice and just give it to me. The other part of it that sucks is, i've already been having nothing but trouble getting this girl to eat on a regular basis and having to restrain her and stick her with a needle 7 times in addition to the ordeal that she went through with her RI obviously must have her stressed out. So, who knows when i'll be able to get her to eat again...

[Ax01]

i don't remember the name of the medication off the top of my head, but i'ts one of the basic, common ones for RI's. each individual syringe was pre-filled and capped, put into a baggie and frozen. i would take them out and they unfroze in like 2 minutes. so i had my initial 30 day supply and then 2 week supply all pre-arranged.

[SDA]

This should help give you ideas on how to properly give injections

Emily is the best in giving practical advice.

[Aedryan Methyus]

The problem with her advice is, I haven't been able to get this girl to eat for a few weeks and most of the time I don't have anyone here to help me. When you can't get them to eat and you don't have anyone to help you, tubing seems to be about the only option...

[zina10]

The problem with her advice is, I haven't been able to get this girl to eat for a few weeks and most of the time I don't have anyone here to help me. When you can't get them to eat and you don't have anyone to help you, tubing seems to be about the only option...

Yeah, when it comes to Ball Pythons and ill snakes, feeding them to treat them is usually not an option.

When you give an injection to a snake, and you are by yourself, I think it helps when you have the snake at the same level then your upper body.
Meaning, if you have a bar height counter, you can do this standing up, or sit down at a table.

Just take a normal sized towel and wrap the head and neck loosely into it, but make several loops around them. You want them NOT to feel severely restrained and start trashing, but they will have very little wiggle room and will stay occupied trying to find the way out with their head. That also gives great padding on which you can rest your left elbow/left upper arm.

Use your left hand to grab right below the neck and right above where you want to inject (have the towel end there), to hold the snake still. Use your bent left elbow and upper arm to push down a bit on the rolled up towel, to keep the snake from moving to much.

Of course BEFORE you do all that, have your syringe ready to go nearby. Grab your syringe with your right hand and then get your face close to where you need to work. Hold the syringe at a angle that allows you to get underneath the scale. Use the needle to wiggle under the scale and then use firm but gentle pressure to insert into the muscle. (on the side, below the spine). Then press down on the plunger in one steady motion. Take needle out and release all pressure on the snake, return the "miffed" animal to the cage

You can also use your right forearm to push down and stabilize the snakes lower body somewhat while you work.

Always give injections in the upper third of the snake, and its a good idea to alternate right and left side of the snake each time.

Good luck

[AbsoluteApril]

Good advice given. Between the scales, at an angle, in the front 1/3 of the body. Either intramuscular or under the skin whichever the vet advised. It's never easy but you'll get the hang of it! If you have to, your vet would probably show you again or do it for you but would probably charge an office visit fee.
Good luck!!

I made a vid years ago when I had to give injections and tube meds to one of my boas that was having neuro issues. I think the injection part starts around the 3min mark:

[Lirenn]

Thank you all so much for the advice and reassurance. She's our first snake and we love her to bits, but we haven't had her long. I worry about making sure she is happy.