Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
When giving an intramuscular
injection, quickly thrust the
needle into the muscle.
Intramuscular shots are the most common
form of injection. The best sites for admin-
istration are either the top of the neck,
about 6 inches (15 cm) down from the
center of the back, or the top of the thigh
where it joins the hip, about 8 inches
(20 cm) down from the center of the back.
Intraperitoneal Injection
Injection by the intraperitoneal method should be done only by a person who
is familiar with aseptic technique and anatomy. Complications (peritonitis)
are common after this procedure. It is easier if one person holds the sheep,
straddling it just in front of the shoulders.
Clip the wool from the right fl ank in the shallow triangular depression
below the spine, between the last rib and the point of the hip bone. Medication
injected into the center of this depression goes into the peritoneal (abdomi-
nal) cavity. Scrub the injection site with soap, rinse, dry, and disinfect the skin
with iodine.
Medication should be at sheep body temperature. A sterile 25 mL or 50 mL
syringe and a sterile 16-gauge needle are required. Disinfect the bottle stop-
per before withdrawing the medication, and use a separate sterile needle to
give the medication to reduce the possibility of introducing the infection into
the body cavity. Hold the needle perpendicular to the skin, pointed toward
the center of the body. Quickly insert the full length of the needle and inject
