Small Animal Medicine: Drug Administration Notes

  • Oral methods involve using syringes for liquids in the cheek pouch or hiding tablets/capsules in food (e.g., meat or peanut butter).

  • Orogastric Intubation is the passage of a tube from the nose to the 13th13^{th} rib to administer activated charcoal, perform gastric lavage, or decompress a bloated stomach.

  • Oral route contraindications include vomiting, oral or esophageal injuries, and a decreased swallow reflex.

Parenteral Injection Routes and Techniques

  • Injection angles vary by route:   - Intramuscular (IM) at 90ext°90^ ext{°}   - Subcutaneous (SQ) at 45ext°45^ ext{°}   - Intravenous (IV) at 25ext°25^ ext{°}   - Intradermal (ID) at 10−15ext°10-15^ ext{°}

  • SQ injections are most common and administered dorsally. In cats, vaccines are site-specific:   - Right front leg (FRVCP)   - Right rear leg (Rabies)   - Left rear leg (Feline Leukemia)

  • IM injections are limited to small volumes (ext≤2extmLext{≤}2 ext{ mL} ) and are typically performed in the lumbosacral or semitendinosus musculature, avoiding the sciatic nerve.

  • IV injection sites include the Cephalic, Femoral, Saphenous, and Jugular veins; placement is confirmed by drawing blood into the syringe before injection.

Specialized Administration Routes

  • Intraosseous (IO) route is used for neonates and exotics, applying sterile technique with a 15−1815-18-gauge bone marrow needle into sites like the Femur or Humerus.

  • Intradermal (ID) route utilizes a 25−2725-27-gauge needle for local anesthesia or allergy testing.

  • Ophthalmic administration requires room temperature medications; apply solutions before ointments and allow 3−5extmin3-5 ext{ min} between different medications.

  • Aural administration necessitates a clean ear canal followed by massage to distribute the medication.

Clinical Documentation and Terminology

  • Treatment records should specify side of administration and use standard abbreviations:   - gttgtt (drop)   - OUOU (both eyes)   - OSOS (left eye)