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Injection help!

E

Estelle

Wise Old Thumper
I'm trying to give Hobbes his injection of depocillin but i'm really struggling to get the needle in. The first 2 i did were easy and went in straight away. The last one i struggled for a while but eventually did it but this time i just can't get the needle in. I've been poking at him several times with no luck and feel awful in case i'm hurting him.
Where am i going wrong? :? I just can't get the needle into the skin. Help!
 
have never given a rabbit an injection myself as have always let the vet do that or given syringe through mouth for meds. hope that someone more exp comes along soon xx
 
Sorry but not much help, just wondered what the injection is and if I should be doing it too, never heard of this one ?
 
Estelle said:
I'm trying to give Hobbes his injection of depocillin but i'm really struggling to get the needle in. The first 2 i did were easy and went in straight away. The last one i struggled for a while but eventually did it but this time i just can't get the needle in. I've been poking at him several times with no luck and feel awful in case i'm hurting him.
Where am i going wrong? :? I just can't get the needle into the skin. Help!
Click to expand...

Are you injecting into the same place? If so the skin will have thickened making it hard to penetrate. Try injecting slightly left or right of centre but *pull the plunger back before depressing to make sure you have not hit a vein*
Have you got any spare needles? If so a new needle may help too

Janex
 
Jack's-Jane said:
Are you injecting into the same place? If so the skin will have thickened making it hard to penetrate. Try injecting slightly left or right of centre but *pull the plunger back before depressing to make sure you have not hit a vein*
Have you got any spare needles? If so a new needle may help too

Janex
Click to expand...

I'll try a new needle. Does it make any difference if its nearer the front of his neck or further down his back?
 
leanne said:
Always always use a new needle :D If your vet hasn't given enough ask for some more!
Click to expand...

I do use a new needle with every injection. I think i have done it properly this time, its hard to see what i'm doing as he has thick fur but there wasn't any liquid on him afterwards so it must have gone in. It's not easy is it?! :(
 
Estelle said:
I do use a new needle with every injection. I think i have done it properly this time, its hard to see what i'm doing as he has thick fur but there wasn't any liquid on him afterwards so it must have gone in. It's not easy is it?! :(
Click to expand...

Sorry I misread your post :oops:

Its def something that gets easier with practise so by the end of the course you will no doubt be a pro!!!
 
It gets easier with practice. The little blue needles are the easiest I find.

I absolutely HATE giving Sub-Q fluids though, the needle is horrid :(
 
Estelle, the loosest part of the skin of any rabbit is just behind the neck (on his back, about 2 inch behind the ears)

I've done it for 7 mth. straight w/ my last bunny Little Happy. The metal part of the needle should be 2.5 inch long or so. W/ Little Happy, I was injecting sub Q fluid under the skin, but it's the same process as yours.

needle9sq.jpg
 
I've had to ring up for extra needles in the past because I've either missed completely or gone through and out the other side :oops: I find it easier to do it in the loose fold of skin over the thigh rather than in the scruff - I find I can get a much better handful of skin there so that might be worth a go next time - also helps because it's varying the site of the injection.

Estelle - funnily enough I find it easier with the slightly bigger needles - maybe because there is more 'feel' so it's easier to be confident that it's gone through.
 
thanks, he has plenty of loose skin on his neck it's just that although i'm pushing on the skin with the needle it won't go through the skin :? I could try the thigh if i can't do it again next time. I just wondered if there was a special knack for getting it right :?
 
Estelle said:
thanks, he has plenty of loose skin on his neck it's just that although i'm pushing on the skin with the needle it won't go through the skin :? I could try the thigh if i can't do it again next time. I just wondered if there was a special knack for getting it right :?
Click to expand...

Apart from having a sharp needle and making sure you inject at an angle its just a case of practice makes perfect Im afraid!
 
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