Page 223 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

Chapter 11 Clinical Techniques 207

FIGURE 11.37 IM injection.

FIGURE 11.36 IV fluid bag marked appropriately. Adapted from The sites for IM injections vary between species
Wikimedia Commons. (Figure 11.34). Small animal sites are the quadriceps
group of muscles, the epaxials, and on occasion the gas-
trocnemius. For livestock and horses use the neck mus-
set is opened by moving the roller clamp down, you
should see the fluids running steadily in the drip cles and the quadriceps group of muscles if necessary.
chamber. Hold the needle or catheter in place and watch If you are restraining for the injection, small animals
the fluid level in the bag, when you’ve reached the divi- are either kept standing or put in lateral recumbency.
sions you set up before starting, withdraw the needle after Review Chapter 8 for both techniques. If you are giving
you have either closed the roller clamp or bent the IV the injection, double check that you have the right
tubing to prevent the fluid from shooting out! Repeat patient and the right medications. Have the restrainer
until all the prescribed fluids are administered. If OK place the patient parallel to your body. Use your non‐
give the patient a treat and a cuddle. Record the number dominate hand to steady the rear leg and hold the
of locations and the amount that was delivered in each filled syringe with your dominant hand (Figure 11.37).
location, the name of the fluids given, the date, time, Depending on which way the dog is facing, you will
and your initials. hold the leg right above the knee from the front of the
leg or the back of the leg. Give a gentle squeeze, quickly
insert the needle approximately half way between the
Intramuscular Injections hip and knee running parallel but slightly lower than
the femur. Direct the needle toward the opposite hip at
Intramuscular injections absorb slower than SQ and a 30‐degree angle. This puts the needle deep enough
cannot handle the volumes SQ can. A guideline for IM into the muscle without hitting the femur or the sciatic
injections is 1–2 mL for cats and small dogs, up to 5 mL nerve which runs parallel and dorsal to the femur.
for medium‐sized and large dogs. Cattle and horses can Aspirate to check for blood and if none go ahead and
handle 10 mL per injection site. If the medication to be depress the plunger. If you get blood withdraw the
given is more than these guidelines, split the dose into needle, check with the veterinarian to see if you need to
two syringes and give on either side of the patient. get a new dose of medication, if not move to another
Aseptically assemble the appropriate‐sized needle and spot and try again.
syringe. Check the patient record for the medications as IM injections tend to hurt more because the medica-
prescribed by the veterinarian and draw up the dose. tion can sting and from the pressure of the volume. Be
Wet a cotton ball with water or antiseptic. ready for the patient to jump and if you are giving the