Instructions for owners who are willing to save a life

Sometimes life puts us in situations where only we ourselves can help our Pet. In a big city, you can quickly call a veterinarian or come to a 24-hour clinic. But what to do if you live in a small village or town, where the veterinarian is only once a week? Or if something happens at night, when all the doors are closed, and counting on minutes? The dog was poisoned on a walk, it was bitten by a tick – and there is a risk of piroplasmosis, or it is simply necessary to give an injection, which was prescribed by the doctor, but the visit is postponed. In such cases, it is the owner who should know how to give the injection correctly – without fear, without harm, with respect for the animal’s life.

Here’s how to do it correctly and safely:

1. Preparing for the injection: psychology, safety, sterility

First of all – calm down. Dogs feel human emotions very well, and if you are nervous – the animal will tense up even more. Prepare everything in advance: syringe of appropriate volume, ampoule with medicine, tissues or absorbent cotton with alcohol, disposable gloves. If the ampoule is glass – carefully open it, preferably through a towel or using a glass file to avoid injury.
The medicine should be at room temperature. If it is from the refrigerator, hold the ampoule in the palms of your hands for a few minutes.

After that:

  • wash your hands thoroughly, put on gloves;

  • draw the medicine into the syringe, make sure there are no air bubbles (if there are, tap the syringe gently and squeeze them out);

  • choose the injection site: most commonly the withers or the thigh.
    The withers are the area between the shoulder blades where there are fewer sensitive nerves. It is ideal for subcutaneous injections. The thigh is suitable for intramuscular injections.

2. How to give a dog a shot in the withers (subcutaneous injection)

Ask someone to help hold the dog if it is restless. A small dog can be wrapped in a towel, leaving only the withers exposed.

Next:

  • blot the injection site with alcohol;

  • use your index finger and thumb to lift the skin to form a “tent”;

  • hold the syringe parallel to the dog’s body, at an angle of approximately 45 degrees;

  • gently insert the needle into the “tent”, not through, about 1-2 cm;

  • slowly inject the medication – no sudden movements;

  • pull out the needle, press the area with absorbent cotton and alcohol.

After the injection, the dog may whimper a little or scratch the injection site – this is normal. If the medication was oily or cold, there may be a lump – this will dissolve.

3. How to give an intramuscular injection to a dog in the thigh

This option is a little more complicated, but sometimes necessary, especially if the medication can’t be injected subcutaneously. Choose the outer part of the back thigh. There’s enough muscle there for the injection to be safe.

  • Be sure the dog is standing or lying on its side;

  • disinfect the area;

  • hold the syringe perpendicular to the skin (90 degrees);

  • insert the needle deeper than for hypodermic – halfway or a little more;

  • inject the medication slowly;

  • after the injection, gently massage the injection site so that there is no induration.

Do not inject in the same place twice in a row. And do not inject large volumes intramuscularly: if 5 ml is prescribed, it is better to divide it into 2 different thighs of 2.5 ml.

Conclusion

Knowing how to give a dog a shot is not a “medical skill” but a basic skill for a responsible owner. It’s not scary if you approach the process calmly, carefully and with love for the animal. But remember: a shot is not a substitute for a consultation with a veterinarian, but only a means to help when there is no other choice. And the best thing you can do is to learn how to do it ahead of time, not in a moment of panic.