Giving repeated injections - any tips/ideas/methods that work.

[peppermintSmoothie]

Does anyone have any tips on injecting subcutaneous fluids for a long period (40ml 3x a day for 10 days) - I have a call back arranged with the vets this afternoon for these questions but I would appreciate your collective input/experience!

• How do I prevent him from becoming sore, my first attempt I scratched him a few times as he would back up and the needle would graze his skin - I've just been pressing on the area to stop the bleeding, I'm wary of using any antiseptic since I'll be injecting a few times a day it could be pushed into the skin and potentially cause harm?
• I'm having some trouble pinching the skin up enough to safely insert the needle without risking my fingers. His skin is quite tight from scar tissue (he was a rescue piggie) and he's pretty vocal and sensitive about anyone touching his skin.
• I know you're supposed to warm the fluids whats the best way to do this, warm the whole bag (keeping the needle access point out of the water) or the syringe with the drawn up fluids inside avoiding getting the needle wet?
• What is the best way to hold him/prevent him from backing up and hurting himself with the needle

Also side note - I was given pro-c to put in the water to encourage drinking but neither of them will drink out of that bottle now!

Our brita water filter is also arriving on Saturday - hopefully that helps with the hard water we have here



More info:


I did my first attempt at injections this morning, managed 10ml of a 20ml syringe. I placed him in a cuddle cup and put a cloth over his head so he felt safe. I tried on the kitchen side first but our other pig was really stressed seeing the procedure so I moved to my desk where I could sit down and hunch over him better to stop him running.

I have posted here previously and the latest update is after three rounds of antibiotics and an x-ray and bloods it's confirmed that he has several bladder stones and kidney stones. The bladder stones are small-ish and might pass naturally (though easier in a lady pig!) But the kidney sludge needs treatment. The vet feels since he's still eating drinking and behaving normally that surgery would be extreme atm so he has given us subcutaneous fluids. 40ml 3x a day for 10 days
Due to covid he wasn't able to show us in person but he filmed a video of it for us so we could see how Arthur would behave and what to do etc.

 

[Siikibam]

I’ve absolutely no idea I’m afraid. Could you ask the vet these questions and have them demonstrate?

I’ll tag @Wiebke @PigglePuggle @VickiA @Piggies&buns

 

[VickiA]

I think you need to speak to your vet.

 

[Danielle Smith]

I agree with asking your vet to go over things as many times as you need to be comfortable! However, I would honestly query the utility of giving that many injections over such a long period of time -- in my experience you're morely likely to do harm than good due to the pig thrashing/hating being picked up etc. Please have a chat with your vet and see if there is any other option -- one way is to give their veggies absolutely soaked in water, this is a great way to get fluids into them.

However, here's my personal experience in case you still want to try... First, 40ml TDS is a lot to subcue at once, I normally max out at around 20ml twice/three times a day. I might try giving him oral fluids through a syringe, as much as he'll take throughout the day, then you can reduce the subcue accordingly. I've found dipping the syringe tip in something they like (carrot juice for my lot) keeps them coming back for more.

Warm the fluid by holding the syringe under hot running water, making sure the needle is out of the way. It's good practice to squirt a little fluid out on your wrist before you inject to ensure no air bubble, you're looking for comfortably warm, not stinging hot or cool in any way. It'll take too long to warm the entire bag up.

With regards to tenting the skin and holding him, you need to be really firm I'm afraid. Get someone else to hold his tummy/hips while he's on a towel on the table to stop him backing up (or use a towel rolled and bent in a u shape at his bum so you can put your needle-holding arm next to it and stop him backing up). Put his face in the crook of your non-dominant elbow and tent the skin with the hand on the same arm. Them your dominant hand can insert the needle. You are essentially going to look like a T-Rex with its elbows on the table if you are alone. Guinea pig skin is really tough, so make sure you are puncturing first time, be confident while making sure you and piggy are safe.

EDIT: oh, and a fresh needle every time! In order to increase fluids I know some other members have introduced a chunk of cucumber twice a day to help flush things through.