How To Give A Cat Or Cat An Injection (including In The Withers, In The Thigh, In The Leg): Intramuscular, Subcutaneous Injection And A Dropper At Home

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Injections and droppers - how to properly carry out medical manipulations of cats at home

Like any living creature, cats get sick from time to time, requiring timely qualified assistance. The veterinarian, when prescribing treatment for the animal, will certainly tell the owner what drugs and in what quantity the cat needs to receive for recovery. Often it is at this point that the doctor tries to find out whether the owner knows how to give injections on his own. Here you need to understand that giving an injection is one thing, but doing it correctly and without risks for your beloved cat is completely different.

Content

• 1 Methods for administering injection to cats
• 2 Preparation for the procedure

• 3 Procedure and rules for safe manipulation

  • 3.1 Subcutaneous injection

    3.1.1 Video: how to give a subcutaneous injection to a cat - veterinarian advice

  • 3.2 Intramuscular injection

    3.2.1 Video: how to give an intramuscular injection to a cat

  • 3.3 Setting the dropper

    • 3.3.1 Video: how to assemble a dropper system for a pet
    • 3.3.2 Video: how to put a dropper on an animal
• 4 Unforeseen situations and errors
• 5 Complications and consequences
• 6 Accustoming to the procedure

Methods for administering injections to cats

In the framework of the treatment of various conditions in cats, it is often injection therapy that is used, that is, the introduction of drugs in liquid form with a syringe or through a catheter. There are several ways to implement such a procedure:

• subcutaneous injection (symbol n / a). In the case of cats, this is usually the easiest route, as it is possible to inject the drug into the withers, one of the least sensitive areas. Any fold of skin is suitable for an injection, including the groin area. Due to the large number of interstitial gaps and lymphatic vessels in the subcutaneous tissue, substances quickly enter the general circulation, giving a quick therapeutic effect;

• intramuscular injection (symbolic in / m). In cats, the thigh muscle is most often chosen as one of the most accessible. There are a large number of vessels in the muscle tissue, which makes it possible for the drug to be absorbed quickly, but the extensibility of such zones is less, therefore, it will not be possible to inject the agent in a large volume, and the pain of the procedure will be higher;

  

  Intramuscular injections of cats can be done in both the front and hind paws, but the second option is used more often, since there is more muscle

• intravenous (IV). Depending on the volume of procedures, the injection can be a single injection using a syringe, or an intravenous catheter can be used, which eliminates the need for multiple punctures and is placed for the entire duration of treatment. In this way, aqueous solutions of drugs are injected, they instantly enter the bloodstream and give a quick result;

  droppers. Separately, it is worth highlighting the intravenous infusion of drugs through a catheter using a drip system. This way makes it possible to provide a gradual introduction of solutions at a controlled rate, which takes more time compared to a single injection into a vein

It is very important to follow the recommendations regarding the type of drug administration, since ignoring them can lead to serious complications. For example, substances that are poorly absorbed and are capable of irritating the subcutaneous tissue and causing tissue necrosis (for example, formulations with sulfur, mercury, and some salt solutions) cannot be injected subcutaneously. Intramuscularly it is allowed to inject aqueous and oil solutions, but agents with alcohols, calcium chloride solutions are prohibited for this method. Violation of such rules usually leads to a destructive local effect of the injected drugs, the tissues become inflamed, and their death may begin.

Preparation for the procedure

Having received clear recommendations from the veterinarian and having bought all the necessary medications, you can start preparing for the procedure:

• choice of syringe. Which instrument to choose depends on the type of drug and its amount. Insulin syringes with a short and very thin needle will give the animal a minimum of discomfort, especially with an intramuscular injection, but are suitable only for homogeneous preparations, the prescribed dosage of which is less than 1 ml. It is also a great option if the kitten needs to be injected. Most often, disposable syringes with removable needles with a volume of 2 cubes are purchased for an adult animal - they have a thin needle, but it will be enough even to inject a suspension with small particles. However, if the dose is larger than this volume, then you will have to purchase a larger syringe - it is better to prick the cat once with a thicker needle than to prick several times with a small one;

  

  Insulin syringes are often used to inject homogeneous preparations up to 1 ml in volume - they have a small and thin needle, which minimizes discomfort in a cat

• study of the drug. Before making any injection, you need to make sure that all the nuances are taken into account: the required dose and route of administration are known, the drug has not expired, it was stored in the conditions required by the instructions. Almost all drugs must be thoroughly shaken before use, and some must be diluted additionally, which the doctor will definitely tell you about.

It is worth remembering that cats feel well the mood of their owner, so you should not approach the animal with fear or severe anxiety. It is better to calm down, collect everything for the upcoming manipulation, and only then take the cat. The pet cannot be prepared for the injection, so it is important to create the highest possible level of comfort for him around so that the procedure does not become severe stress. The best option would be to carry out the injection alone with the animal, the easiest way to do this is with an injection to the withers, but often this is impossible - you will have to attract an assistant who would fix the cat during the administration of the medication.

The procedure and rules for safe manipulation

Before the procedure, the owner needs to know a number of important rules:

• different drugs cannot be mixed in one syringe, unless recommended by the doctor;
• the hands should be clean and the syringe sterile. The sterility of the needle with each injection of the drug is a prerequisite for the safety of the procedure;
• do not store the drug in an open ampoule and use it. In order to save money, it is allowed to collect several doses at once from a freshly opened ampoule into separate sterile syringes. However, this is not really for all funds - some are prohibited from storing after opening;
• an ampoule with a cold preparation must first be held in the palms to warm up to body temperature;

• when the drug is drawn into the syringe, you need to turn it with the needle up and release the air bubble by pressing on the plunger.

  

  When the drug is drawn into the syringe, you need to turn the instrument with the needle up and press the plunger so that all air bubbles come out

There are no special rules for injecting kittens, the owner will have to do everything more carefully, since the baby's area for maneuver on the body is much smaller. The main differences will lie not in the route of administration, but in the dosage of the drugs themselves.

Subcutaneous injection

For a subcutaneous injection at home, it is better to choose the withers - this is the simplest and least "sore" place. When the syringe with the medicine is prepared, you can start:

1. The cat must be placed on a surface that is comfortable in height and fixed. If the animal is calm, then you can slightly press it down with your left hand, but if it is nervous, then you cannot do without an assistant.
2. Grab the skin at the withers with two fingers and form a fold, pulling it up. Before the procedure, the place must be examined - the integuments must be completely healthy.

3. The needle is inserted in one motion into the base of the formed fold at an angle of 45 degrees to the spine. The insulin needle is short and can be inserted completely, the usual one should be deepened by 1–2 centimeters. All movements must be accurate, do not stretch the procedure, taking pity on the pet - the faster and more correctly everything goes, the better.

   

   During subcutaneous injection, the needle must be inserted into the base of the skin fold formed by two fingers on the withers of the cat

4. The medicine is administered slowly and completely. When the syringe is empty, it must be removed without releasing the folds. When the needle is outside, you can release the withers and pet the cat, thank you for your patience.

Video: how to give a subcutaneous injection to a cat - veterinarian advice

Intramuscular injection

A muscle injection is more painful, so the cat is more likely to resist. Therefore, it is worth deciding in advance on the place where everything will take place - it should be a flat and solid surface on which it will be possible to firmly fix the pet. In such a situation, it is better not to start the injection without an assistant, since at the most inopportune moment the animal can jerk violently and escape. Algorithm of actions:

1. It is better to inject into the back of the thigh - the most "fleshy" part of the hind paw. One person holds the cat, and the second firmly takes it by the paw. You need to wait for the muscle to relax, do not prick when the animal strains its paw and tries to pull it out.
2. The needle should go perpendicular to the bone to get into the muscle and not under the skin. The depth of entry is about 1 cm (0.5 cm is enough for a kitten).

3. The medicine must be injected slowly; you cannot press the plunger sharply. The larger the drug, the slower it must be injected. So, 1 ml should be injected in about 3-4 seconds. It is not recommended to inject more than 1.5-2 ml into one place.

   

   With an intramuscular injection, the needle must be inserted perpendicular to the bone to a depth of about 1 cm

4. When the injection is made, the needle must be removed, then release the animal. Moreover, all participants in the process must do this at the same time, otherwise there is a risk that one will let go, and the disgruntled cat will grab the released limbs into the second, trying to take revenge.
5. If you need a course of injections, then you need to inject alternately in one or the other paw.

Video: how to give an intramuscular injection to a cat

Dropper setting

If your cat already has an intravenous catheter and urgently needs an IV line, you can try it yourself. This is a more complicated procedure than an injection, so the first time be sure to ask the doctor to explain and show you all the nuances. This requires:

1. Open the drip bag and close the clip by pulling it down.
2. The needle for the bottle must be inserted into the rubber stopper on the medicine jar, then turn it over and hang it higher than the animal will be.
3. Above the clamp, the tube must be squeezed several times with your fingers so that it fills, and then open the roller and release the air - as soon as the medicine flows from the tube, everything is ready.
4. The catheter on the cat's paw must be unbound, the cap is screwed on the side and the system tube is connected without a needle. All that remains is to open the valve on the system and adjust the infusion rate according to the doctor's recommendations (usually 1 drop per second).
5. When all the drug has been dispensed, the system is closed and disconnected from the catheter, closing the latter until the next procedure.

You can put a dropper in an already installed catheter at home, for this you need to properly prepare the system and insert the cannula into the corresponding valve

Video: how to assemble a dropper system for a pet

Video: how to put a dropper on an animal

Unexpected situations and errors

During the injection, an unforeseen situation may occur, especially if the owner has little experience in such matters. The main thing here is not to get lost, but to make a decision adequately to what is happening:

• it is not possible to inject the medicine - the piston is not pressed. In such a situation, the syringe is most likely to blame, so it is better to replace it immediately and not torment the animal trying to deal with the instrument during the injection itself;
• a fold of skin pierced through. In this case, you need to replace the needle and insert it again, but more carefully, in order to exactly get exactly under the skin;
• the needle is bent or broken during the injection. It may happen that the needle falls into a poor-quality or defective one, and during the injection, the cat jerks, because of which the tip bends or even breaks off. In the first case, the syringe must be removed and replaced, but the broken end must be tried to immediately get it. If this did not work out and the tip went deep, then you must immediately take the pet to the hospital;
• air remains in the syringe or dropper tube. A small number of bubbles do not pose a particular danger to health, but it is still worth getting rid of them, because their presence can distort the real amount of the collected dose. Noticing air in the dropper tube, you need to wait until it comes to the catheter, then disconnect it for a while, letting the air escape, and connect it again.

If in doubt that it will be possible to give the injection correctly, veterinarians are advised to seek help from the nearest veterinary clinic and not experiment with your pet

Complications and consequences

The injection has already been given, but you cannot stop monitoring the cat. A number of unpleasant complications can arise after the injection:

• blood comes out after the injection. A puncture, albeit a small one, is an injury, and it is natural that a vessel may be affected, so the release of a few drops of blood is not scary. If, after the injection, bleeding opens, then a cold should be applied to the puncture site and urgently go to the doctor;
• lameness after injection into a muscle. An intramuscular injection is always unpleasant, and some drugs can give additional pain (antispasmodics, antibiotics, some vitamins). You can alleviate the suffering of your cat by giving her a light paw massage. A slight limp that quickly passes is a variant of the norm, but if it is present for more than 2-3 days, then you should seek help from a veterinarian;

• the animal does not stand on its paw or drags it along - this is possible if the nerve bundle was touched during the injection. The condition requires medical attention and medical correction;

  

  If, after the injection, the cat limps on its paw for several days or drags it along, an urgent need to go to the veterinarian

• the formation of a bump at the injection site. The problem arises for several reasons: the injection was incorrectly delivered, an allergy to the injected drug, an individual reaction of the body. The situation needs to be monitored - if there is no positive dynamics for more than two days, and even more so if the place turns red and becomes hot, it is necessary to urgently go to the hospital. Often, such a lump is an accumulation of pus and a focus of a dangerous inflammatory process.

Accustoming to the procedure

Injections are an unpleasant procedure, but there are situations in which the animal needs them all the time. Here, special attention should be paid to providing the animal with maximum comfort, otherwise regular stress is inevitable. It is impossible to accustom a pet to pain, but you can create a number of positive associations with the procedure:

• it is better to give injections at the same time in the same environment;
• it is better to find a cat in a calm mood;
• before the procedure, it is necessary to establish contact by stroking and petting the pet;
• after the injection, be sure to praise the animal, treat it with a treat.

If done correctly, the animal will tolerate regular injections more calmly and more patiently.

The cat may need an intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous injection (infusion with a dropper), and then the owner will have to come to the rescue. If it is not possible to visit specialists for the entire course of treatment, injections to the withers and thigh can be given at home, observing a number of rules. But for the placement of a catheter and an injection into a vein, you simply cannot do without a specialist.