Some dog diseases, most commonly diabetes and allergies, require periodic administration of injectable medications. Proper administration of these medications will help ensure your dogs' continued good health. At some time, you may have to do this yourself at home. If you feel uncomfortable administering injectable medication, discuss alternatives with your veterinarian. Try these methods, the method required for injection will be determined by the medication itself, Consult your Veterinarian if you are unsure of the recommended method.

Always demonstrate a simple "saline injection" in front of your Vet if you are not 100% confident in your abilities to administer the chosen injection method correctly!!! Below are 2 of the most common methods used.
 

CAUTION: Be aware that it is easy to penetrate all the way through the "Tent" of skin!
 

1. Clean the surface of medication bottle with an alcohol coated cotton ball.
    
2. Insert the needle and syringe into the rubber top of the medication.
    
3. Invert the bottle and draw up the prescribed amount of medication.
    
4. Make sure there are no air bubbles in the syringe.
    
5. Using the skin between the shoulder blades tends to be the easiest way to give "Subcutaneous" injectable medications. The skin does not need to be cleaned with alcohol prior to administering these medications.
    
6. Hold the syringe with the needle exposed in one hand.
    
7. With the other hand, gently "pinch & lift" a small piece of skin between the shoulder blades, at the base of the neck.
    
8. By lifting the skin, an upside down “V” shape will be formed by the "tent" in the skin.  Insert the needle into the center of this inverted “V” or tented area of skin.
    
9. Once the needle is inserted into the skin, draw back slightly on the syringe plunger and make sure no blood flows into the syringe.
    
10. If no blood is seen in the syringe, slowly but steadily push the plunger into the syringe in order to administer the medication.
     
11. Let go of the skin and make sure there is no liquid on the surface of the skin. If there is moisture on the skin, you may have inserted the needle through all layers of skin and out the other side of the tented skin. If this occurs, contact your veterinarian before another attempt is made.
     
12. Be sure to log the injection in you personal records for the dog. This will be very helpful if your Vet needs to make a diagnoses in the future.

CAUTION: Be aware of the Sciatic Nerve!
This nerve runs parallel, between the muscle and the bone.
 

These instruction were written with the dog's head pointing to your right side;
 

1. Clean the surface of medication bottle with an alcohol coated cotton ball.
    
2. Insert the needle and syringe into the rubber top of the medication.
    
3. Invert the bottle and draw up the prescribed amount of medication.
    
4. Make sure there are no air bubbles in the syringe.
    
5. When administering an injection into the Rear Quarter muscle group, the tip of the needle should be directed toward the rear part of the limb so if the dog were to move, the needle will not advance toward the sciatic nerve resulting in enormous pain for the dog.  Notice the left hand is being used to isolate the muscle group.
    
6. Once the needle is inserted into the skin, draw back slightly on the syringe plunger and make sure no blood flows into the syringe.
    
7. If no blood is seen in the syringe, slowly but steadily push the plunger into the syringe in order to administer the medication.
    
8. Gently massage in the medication that is pocketed within the muscle for 10-20 seconds.
    
9. Be sure to log the injection in you personal records for the dog. This will be very helpful if your Vet needs to make a diagnoses in the future.