injection - no negative pressure in syringe?

[BentleyBun]

Hi all,

I have started Pen G procaine injection and I just tried my self. Everytime I pull the plunger I get air. The vet tech and how i saw on video is that the plunger should go back to the original place and I pull it back. Anyone have suggestions?

 

[JBun]

I know letting the pen g warm up for like 10 minutes can help. Also making sure you have the right size of needle. This link is on sub q injections that might provide some useful info. But when in doubt, consult with your vet.
Medirabbit: sub q injections

And this video:

 

[BentleyBun]

I watched that exact video almost 5 times. My poor guy had to be pricked so many time. I just kept getting air and I was too scared to inject it bc it was not negative pressure. My vets closed and since tomorrow is sunday they are also closed.

 

[JBun]

You mean you're getting air when you stick the needle under the skin sub q and pull back to make sure you don't see blood and have it in a blood vessel?

 

[BentleyBun]

@JBun yea. When I stick the needle in, I pull the plunger to check for blood before injecting it. When the vet showed me she said that the plunger when under the skin should have a "suction" and that I should not be getting air. But everytime i pull the plunger I get air in the synring so I am assuming I am doing it wrong.

 

[JBun]

You may be sticking the needle too far through the tented skin so it's coming back out the other side and so you're getting air. That's all I can think that would be causing this.

 

[BentleyBun]

I will try again tomorrow I guess, This time Ill wet him fur so I can see his skin better. Would alcohol make it sting more?

 

[JBun]

Yes, if there is an open cut or if there's a puncture hole from the previous needle sticks, then it could sting some.

 

[BentleyBun]

would water make the injection less sterile?

 

[Watermelons]

Have you twisted the needle on as tight as possible?

 

[BentleyBun]

@Watermelons I think so. I twist it as much as it can go and when I change the needle it takes a bit to unscrew it

 

[Watermelons]

When syringes are shipped with needles attached to them they are always loose and need to be tightened before using. Thats the main cause for Air when pulling back. Otherwise what Jbun said.

 

[BentleyBun]

@Watermelons I have them separate. the syringes have thier own packaging and so do the needles. Ill try wetting his fur tomorrow. Hopfully it goes smoothly, I feel so bad already

 

[Watermelons]

As long as youre not getting blood and youre sure you arent through to the other outside just go for it. Once the needle is under the skin, if its in the right spot, you should be able to move it around under there and almost direct the flow.

 

[BentleyBun]

everything welll today! Still got air but I made sure there was no blood nor the needle was on the other side. I double checked his neck just in case and did not find any penicillin on his fur so I am pretty sure I injected where I needed.

does anyone know if i can order needles online? I was given a couple 20 guage needled but I like use two each time, one for drawing and one for injecting. I ran out of needles really fast. Can I buy needles online?

 

[JBun]

That's great! Glad you got it figured out.

I've bought needles from pet supply or farm stores, as long as you aren't in a state that restricts them to prescription only. Amazon has them as well. If your state doesn't require a prescription, you can also go to pharmacies or farm stores like tractor supply. Though farm stores have a more limited choice of what sizes are available. You should also be able to phone your vet and pick up some more, though likely the more expensive option. Also, make sure you get the right kind for your syringes, luer lock or slip tip.