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How to Administer Injections into Muscle (IM) of Horses

11th May 2023

How to Administer Injections into Muscle (IM) of Horses

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
IM injection site - horse's neck
Injection site in a horse's neck, marked by the cross in the triangle formed by the scapula (red line), cervical spine (green line) and nuchal ligament (white line)

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)
IM injection site - horse's hindquarters
Injection site in a horse's hindquarters, marked by the cross approximately in the centre of the triangle formed by the tuber coxae, tuber ischium and tuber sacral (green arrows)

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