Compound Administration
| Maximum Administration Volumes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | IM | IV | IG | IP | SC |
| Rat | 1.0 ml | 5.0 ml | 5.0 ml | 2.0 ml | 5.0 ml |
| Mouse | 0.5 ml | 0.625 ml | 0.5 ml | 2.0 ml | 2.0 ml |
| References include: “Anesthesia and Analgesia for Veterinary Technicians” 4th Edition (Thomas and Lerche), “A Good Practice Guide to the Administration of Substances and Removal of Blood, Including Routes and Volumes” (Diehl et al, Journal of Applied Toxicology, 21, 15-23, 2001), and University of Colorado Denver Guidelines for Fluid Administration and Blood Collection Modified: 1/10/2011 | |||||
Subcutaneous Injections (SC)
The animal is restrained using a one-technician technique, a two-technician technique, or anesthesia. The area to be injected (typically the nape or abdominal area) is prepped. The needle is inserted at a shallow angle under the skin (the needle selected is as small of a gauge as possible while still allowing the compound to pass through it, and the length is long enough to prevent compound leakage from the injection site). The compound is expressed slowly under the skin. With quantities greater than 0.5 ml, a small bleb is apparent. As the needle is withdrawn, the injecting technician pinches the skin around the needle to prevent compound leakage.
Intraperitoneal Injections (IP)
The animal is restrained using a one-technician technique, a two-technician technique, or anesthesia. The area to be injected (typically the abdominal area) is prepped. The needle is inserted through the skin and the abdominal wall (the needle selected is as small of a gauge as possible while still allowing the compound to pass through it, and the length is long enough to enter the abdominal cavity). Extra care is taken so that the needle does not puncture any internal organs. This is accomplished by gently lifting the skin and the abdominal wall while shaking the organs away from the injection site. The compound is now expressed slowly into the abdominal cavity.
Intramuscular Injections (IM)
The animal is restrained using a one-technician technique, a two-technician technique, or anesthesia. The area to be injected (typically the biceps femoris, the quadriceps, or the gluteus maximus) is prepped. The needle is inserted through the skin and into the muscle (the needle selected is as small of a gauge as possible while still allowing the compound to pass through it, and the length is long enough to prevent compound leakage from the injection site). The compound is expressed.
Intravenous Injections (IV)
The animal is restrained using a one-technician technique, a two-technician technique, or anesthesia. IV injections are done via catheter implants to the jugular or femoral veins. After the area is prepped, the compound is simply administered through a previously implanted catheter.
Intragastric Injection by Gavage (IG)
The animal is restrained using a one-technician technique (anesthesia is not required). The compound is loaded into a syringe fitted with a gavaging needle. While the animal is held vertically, the needle is gently inserted into the esophagus. Care is taken so that the needle is not inserted into the trachea and so the esophagus is not damaged during dosing. Once the needle is positioned properly in the mouth, the animal swallows the needle (little to no pushing is required). Once the needle is properly positioned, the compound is administered, and the needle is removed. The animal’s breathing is monitored post injection.
Tail Vein Injection
The animal restrained or anesthetized and placed on its stomach with the tail toward the injecting technician. Once the veins of the tail are located, the compound is administered with an appropriate needle and syringe (27 or 30 gauge needles work well with 1 cc syringes). The needle is inserted slowly toward the animal’s heart. Compound administration is slow and steady. Bleaching of vessel color is visible if the injected compound is clear in color.
