How to give an injection to a cat without stress

An injection to a cat is not so terrible as it seems for the first time. The most reliable way is to take a course of injections in a veterinary clinic, but not everyone has enough time for this. It is most accessible to give injections to a cat on your own, but not every owner of a little friend has the courage. Pet owners who are given injections for the first time are especially afraid of making a mistake:How to give an injection to a cat subcutaneously or intramuscularly? What if I do something wrong, because I’m not a doctor”.

In fact, with a thoughtful approach, many cats almost do not feel the prick and break out rather according to the obstinate feline nature. The danger is elsewhere. Not all injections can be given without a doctor. Which ones – I’ll tell you later in the cheat sheet. She will help you give an injection without a doctor, without harming the cat.

To begin with, I recommend to delve into what kind of injections the veterinarian prescribed for your cat. Pay attention to where to put the drug: under the skin, intravenously, intramuscularly, joint or intra-abdominal space. It depends on whether these injections can be given at home without medical education. You can not independently put intravenous, intra-articular and intra-abdominal injections. Due to the complexity of this task, only a professional veterinarian can handle it.

On your own at home, a cat can only be given subcutaneous and intramuscular injections, as well as if an intravenous catheter is installed.

Intramuscular injections are placed in the back of the muscles of the shoulder and thigh. Subcutaneous – in the fold between the shoulder blades at the withers or in the fold between the body and the front of the thigh. A mistake can cause unpleasant consequences in cats, such as post-injection tumor fibrosarcoma.

If you confuse and put an intramuscular injection subcutaneously, the cat may develop fibrosarcoma.

Hypodermic injections are most often placed at the withers. There are fewer nerve endings between the shoulder blades, so the pet will hardly feel pain. So, there is a chance that it will break out and scratch less. Cats have thick, elastic skin. If the cat has scratches and wounds between the shoulder blades, it remains to inject into the inguinal fold near the knee joint. The principle is the same as with the withers.

• Lay the cat belly down

Calm down your pet. Talk kindly. Raise the withers up – until the fold stretches into the cocked hat of Baron Munchausen.

• Insert the needle parallel to the spine

Pierce the skin at the base of the cocked fold. Immerse the needle about half of the length. When, after the resistance of hard skin, the needle fails, you are at the target.

It is correct to inject a cat in the withers “parallel to the back” – at an angle of 180 °, in the inguinal fold – at an angle of 45 ° 

• Enter the test dose of the drug

Notice the fur on the back of the triangle. If it is wet, it means that they pierced the withers or got into the undercoat. Then pull the needle towards you and try again. If the pet does not tear away and the coat is dry, the test is successful.

The risk of piercing the skin through and the drug will be on the floor. And if you do not fully insert the needle, you get an intradermal injection. And as a result – a seal at the injection site.

• Enter the cure

To do this, grab the syringe body between your index and middle fingers and push down on the plunger. On average, 3-5 seconds is enough.

• Gently withdraw the needle

Spread the crease with your hand, massage the injection site with your thumb – this will improve blood circulation and help the medicine to evenly distribute

• Treat your pet with a treat

Reward and praise your cat, even if it wasn’t perfect. This will help relieve stress and reduce the fear of a second procedure.

Unlike subcutaneous injections, intramuscular injections are more painful and dangerous. There is a risk of hurting a bone, joint or nerve. Typically, such injections are placed in the back of the thigh, where there is a lot of muscle mass. There are many blood vessels between the knee and hip joints, so the medicine quickly enters the bloodstream. If this is not possible, an intramuscular injection is made into the thickness of the shoulder muscle. But there are too many nerve endings, and the muscles are not large enough. Therefore, it is more reliable to give an intramuscular injection to a cat in the thigh. And yet the procedure is too dangerous, the pet can run away. But your cat will be fine if you use our tips.

• Fix the cat

If the pet breaks out, wrap it in a towel and leave the back paw free.

• Feel the thigh muscle

Check if the muscle tissue is relaxed. Massage and stretch your hind paw. Make sure the cat is calm.

• Insert the needle at a right angle

Feel the thigh bone. Step back from it to the width of your thumb and insert the needle at a right angle. Try to ensure that the penetration depth does not exceed a centimeter. So the needle will go deep into the muscle, but will affect the bone and joint. 

• Pull the piston towards you

If the syringe fills with blood, remove the needle and inject again. Do not hurry. For every 1 ml, at least 3 seconds will be required.

It is impossible to move, turn, deepen the syringe during the injection – otherwise you risk injuring the cat.

• Remove the needle

Most likely, the cat will try to escape. Don’t panic, but don’t delay either. Pull out the needle at the same angle as it was inserted – perpendicular to the pet’s thigh

• Reward your cat with a treat

Praise your pet. Treat your cat to your favorite treat. She deserved it, even if she tried to scratch you.

To avoid rookie mistakes, act like a pro. Demonstrate calmness and confidence and do not make mistakes that can harm the health of your cat. I have collected the main differences between beginners and pros for you in another cheat sheet.

If something goes wrong and you can’t give your cat an injection, don’t panic. Contact the nearest veterinary clinic or call a veterinarian at home. Health to your pets!