Ocean Animal Clinic Snake Injecting Instructions Administering Injections to your snake should be an easy proposition.  With a little care and instruction , even the most needle shy pet owner can do it.    Proper techniques for restraint of the snake and administering the injections are given in this slide show below.
	These instructions are to be used in conjunction with the directions given by your veterinarian.  Administering medications to your pet can lead to serious bite wounds and scratches.  If unsure of your pet, have someone at the clinic demonstrate these medication techniques.  Medicating your pet at home is done at your own risk.

  

  

Hold the prescription vial upside down and push the needle into the stopper.

  

Draw the required volume of medication into the syringe.  (ml and cc are the same thing).

Tap any air bubbles to the top and push them out of the syringe and needle.

One person should hold the snake's head firmly right behind his jaw bones.

When giving the injection DO NOT HOLD THE SYRINGE LIKE THIS.  Keep your finger off the plunger so you don't accidentally inject.

Feel the backbone with your thumb and ribs with your forefinger. The area between them is muscle. The injection should be given in this muscle in the first third of the body.

With the needle pointing towards the head (to the left in this picture) poke the needle into the muscle being careful to go between the scales.  Push the needle quickly and firmly.  Going slowly actually hurts more.  Once the needle is in pull back on the plunger, If blood appears in the syringe, pull it out and start again.  If no blood appears in the syringe, push on the plunger and administer the medication.  Pull the needle out and you are done.