Administration of drugs Flashcards
Main routes of administration meds?
Intravenous Intramuscular Subcutaneous Oral Topical
Two main ways of administering drugs?
Enteral – involving the Gi tract
- Oral and rectal
Parenteral – not involving GI tract
- IV, IM, SC, topical, intraosseous
Reasons for choice of administer route?
Bioavailability – quantity of drug within circulation
Individual patient needs – concurrent therapy, age, hydration and disease status
Speed of onset – how quickly will start working
When immediate onset is essential?
- In pain
- seizuring
- allergic reaction
- induction of anaesthesia
- euthanasia
When delayed onset is essential?
- Pre medications – sedation and anti-inflammatory
Equipment for administration?
Appropriate needle Appropriate syringe – always chose smallest possible (easier scale) Swab – for bottle and for patient Pen Drug
Safe handling and disposal of equipment?
Ensure needle cap is on when walking around
Ensure patient is well restrained
Dispose syringe in pharmaceutical waste bin
Dispose needle in sharps bin
Never re-sheath needles after administration or drawing up medication
Injection sites for dogs and cats?
Intravenous - Jugular, cephalic, saphenous Intramuscular - Lumbar region, cervical region, quads Subcutaneous - Between shoulder blades Others - Intraosseous – ilium - Intraperitoneal – caudal abdomen
Injection sites for horses?
Intravenous – jugular
Intramuscular
- Gluteal, cervical region, pectorals
Injection sites for small mammals?
Subcutaneous - Over lateral thorax Intramuscular - Quadriceps – rabbits or guinea pigs Intraperitoneal - Caudal abdomen – tilted Intravenous - Ear or cephalic vein in rabbits - Lateral tail in rats and mice - Cephalic and saphenous in guinea pigs, chinchillas and ferrets
Injection sites for bird?
Subcutaneous - Inguinal or axillary regions Intramuscular - Consider if meat for consumption - damage - Pectoral muscles Intravenous - Rare - Jugular, brachial vein, medial metatarsal Intraosseous - Tibiotarsal bone, proximal ulnar
Injection sites for snakes?
DON’T INJECT TRHOUGH SCALES – CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE – LIFT AND INJECT UNDERNEATH
Subcutaneous - Cranial third of body in lateral area Intramuscular - Cranial third of body in epaxial muscles Intravenous - Ventral tail vein Intraosseous - Lateral part of body - Dorsal to ventral scales - Cranial to cloaca in caudal third of body
Injection sites for lizards?
Subcutaneous - Lateral thoracic area Intramuscular - Proximal part of forearm Intravenous - Ventral tail vein Intraosseous - Proximal femur, distal femur and proximal tibia Intracoelomic - Caudal abdomen – tilted
Injection sites for tortoises?
Subcutaneous - Cranial to fore and hind limbs Intramuscular - Proximal part of forearm, pectoral muscles Intravenous - Jugular, dorsal tail vein Intraosseous - Plastron and carapace junction - Caudal to hind legs - Proximal tibia
How to administer a subcutaneous injection (small animal)?
Raise a fold of skin Moisten skin with spirit swab - To flatten hair and remove bacteria Insert needle under skin and withdraw plunger slightly - If blood appears then venepuncture has occurred - Then alternative site must be chosen Slowly inject drug and withdraw needle Massage site gently to disperse drug
How to administer an intravenous injection (small animal)?
Cephalic vein
Ask assistant to retrain patient
- Hold head
- Extend leg and apply pressure to raise vein
Clip and prep with antiseptic
- Then wipe with spirit
Stabilise the vein and insert needle
- Blood should flow into syringe
Once blood flows back ask assistant to release vein
Administer drug gently
- Can draw back part way to check still in vein
Remove the needle and apply pressure to vein
- Min 30 seconds – ideally 2 mins
How to administer an intravenous injection (equine)?
Jugular vein
Make sure patient is well restrained Prep area with antiseptic and spirit Raise the vein with one hand Insert the needle at 45 degrees to the skin - Flatten out once in vein Withdraw plunger slightly - Blood should flow into syringe Administer drug gently Remove needle and apply pressure - Minimum of 30 seconds - Ideally 2 mins
How to administer a intramuscular injection (small animal)?
Ask assistant to restrain patient
- Identify muscle
If using quads stabilise muscle between index finger and thumb
Introduce needle slowly
- At a right angle to skin
Withdraw the punger to check for venepuncture
- If blood is drawn back reposition
Inject drug slowly
If patient moves draw back again to check for venepuncture
Remove needle and massage site
How to administer an intramuscular injection (equine)?
Make sure patient is well restrained Tap area with hand a few times - Not to spook horse Introduce needle rapidly - At a right angle to skin Withdraw plunger slightly to check for venepuncture - If blood then reposition Gently administer drug If patient moves draw back again to check for venepuncture Remove needle and massage site
Needle angle for S/C?
45°
Needle angle for I/M?
90°
How to administer oral medication (small animal)?
Ask assistant to restrain patient
- Large dogs may need third person to stop moving backwards
Tilt head back so mouth will open slightly
Place tablet at back of tongue
- If needed us pill giver
- Or small syringe of water to encourage swallowing
How to administer oral medication (equine)?
Place head collar and lead rope
- Don’t use bridal as drug will get stuck around bit
Ask assistant to restrain horse
If possible dissolve tablets in water and put them in a dosing syringe
- Place syringe in corner of mouth and administer on tongue
Once administered hold head up to prevent spitting out
How to administer topical medications (small animal)? Eye drops?
Position self behind patient
Place one hand under chin and angle head up
- This should open their eyes
Use little finger of hand holding drops to hold upper eyelid back
Drip required amount directly into eye
Keep patient up for a few seconds so drops are absorbed
How to administer topical medications (small animal)? Eye ointment?
Use fingers in one land to draw lower eye lid down
Using other hand apply a line of the ointment inside lower eye lid
Or if tolerated, apply in same way as eye drops
How to administer topical medications (equine)? Eye drops?
Can be administered directly into horses eye
- Not always well tolerated
Can use eye lavage systems
- Placing tube through eye lid
- Drops are injected into tube
- flushed into the eye with either saline or air
How to administer topical medications (small animal)? Ear meds?
Take care with handling - most preparation contain steroids hold ear pinna to expose ear canal clean away any wax or debris insert nozzle into external ear canal apply medication massage distal to the ear to dispense medication
How to administer topical medications (small animal)? Rectal medications?
Insert nozzle into the patient rectum as far in as comfortable
Depress the tube/syringe to administer the drug
Remove the tube/syringe being careful not to allow drug to flow
