I went through this with my ball and blood pythons. They contracted RI one from the other because of carelessness on my part. But yeah i start right on the side about mid way from under the eye to the snout. I used the syringe (not needle the plastic ones) for the medication itself. I would just run it back and forth along the side of there mouths until they opened them it worked every time. its up to you just use common sense dont use your finger or something short enough that the snake may be able to catch your fingertip. And good luck with your snake.