How and where abouts do I give an Intra muscular injection to my horse?

Storage

IM Medications are to be stored as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions as directed on the labelling.

Preparation

• Ensure the horse is being held by a competent handler who is standing on the same side as the injection will be given. Do not have the horse tied up.
• Be in a calm, quiet environment to reduce risk of horse moving/fidgeting
• Wear disposable gloves
• Ensure injection site is not grossly contaminated e.g. muddy
• Use a freshly opened, new needle and syringe for every injection. We recommend using individually packaged needles and syringes. Never reuse either the needle or the syringe, as a contaminated needle/syringe could introduce a dangerous infection to your horse.
• Make sure that you are about to administer:
  • The correct drug
  • The correct amount of drug (correct dose)
  • The it is definitely supposed to be given IM (correct route)
  • That you are giving it at the correct time of day
  • To the correct horse

Choosing an Injection Site

• Select location for injection (neck or hindquarters and left or right)
• Try to alternate between locations especially if injecting a large volume (i.e. greater than 10mls)

The Neck

• The land marks for injecting in the neck muscle are:
  • The scapula (shoulder blade) – at the base of the neck (behind the red line)
  • The cervical spine (neck vertebrae) – at the bottom of the neck (below the green line)
  • The nuchal ligament – at the top of the neck (above the white line)
• You should inject in the triangle approximately a hands width above the shoulder blade, about half way between the nuchal ligament and cervical vertebrae

Hindquarters (Gluteals)

• The aim is to inject into the large muscle mass of the hindquarters
• Only inject in this area if the horse is of suitable temperament for you to do so safely
• Feel for the three bony prominences of the pelvis (the tuber coxae, tuber ischium and tuber sacrale) as illustrated by the green arrows
• Imagine a triangle using these three points and inject approximately in the centre of this triangle (as far from the bony prominences as possible)

Technique

• Make sure area is clean
• Select the appropriate site for your injection
• Stand in an appropriate and safe position in case the horse reacts to the needle being inserted
• Quickly and decisively, insert the needle perpendicular to the skin. A fast stab is less painful for the patient. The entire length of the needle, up to the hub, should be inserted into the muscle
• Attach your syringe and pull back on the plunger (draw back) to check for blood
  • If blood is seen in the syringe:
    • Detach your syringe
    • Pull needle half way out
    • Change direction of the needle by a few degrees
    • Re-insert needle
    • Draw back again to check there’s no blood
  • If no blood is seen inject medication slowly over a few seconds
• Once syringe is empty the needle and syringe should be removed together in one smooth movement

Disposal of equipment

• Needles and syringes should be stored somewhere safe e.g. in a small box where there is no risk of someone injuring themselves on them
• They should be returned to your vet or the practice dispensary once the course is complete

Courtesy of the Royal Veterinary College , University of London