How to give an intramuscular injection 22 September 2023 Premium

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22 September 2023

Irish Field Contributor on 22 Sep 2023

How to give an intramuscular injection

Vet Karen Dunne explains how to safely give intramuscular injections to your horse

Irish Field Contributor

22 September 2023

Figure 3. If injecting in the neck it is helpful to hold a small pinch of skin beside the injection site \ Ben Roberts

Fig. 1 Sites for safe administration of injections. The neck is generally the safest as you are less likely to get kicked.

Figure 2. To locate the correct injection site place one hand along the crest and the other on the front edge of the shoulder blade. The injection site is where your thumbs meet \ Karen Dunne

Before you begin:

Wash and dry your hands. Disposable gloves may be worn but they can make handling the equipment awkward. It is more important to have clean hands and avoid touching the needle once the cap is removed. Check the label to ensure the medication is in date and has been stored correctly etc. Ensure that you are not allergic to the medication e.g., penicillin. Refer to the prescription to confirm the dose to be given.