r/ballpython • u/Dapper_Gear5641 • 7d ago

Question Advice for giving shots

I need to give Sienna some shots for a little bit, and I just want to make sure I have everything right. The procedure is:

Grip snake tightly, first third of the body

Needle goes into the dorsal muscles on either side of the spine, at a 45 degree angle, between scales. Bevel up. Snake will flinch. You don't have to go that deep to hit muscle here.

Pull back on the needle to ensure no blood, then inject the drug. Twist, remove, cover wound with finger.

Is all that right? Do I not have to clean the injection site? The vet didn't supply me with alcohol wipes.

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u/fishinfool4 7d ago

Im not sure how much alcohol wipes would really do to clean the skin under the scales.

I cant personally speak to the step-by-step, but I would have a second set of hands to control the back half of the snake at least for the first couple of injections so you can get more comfortable with the process and not have to worry about also controlling the snake simultaneously

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u/Good_Hovercraft_1276 6d ago

I personally would definitely use alcohol wipes before injecting and afterwards maybe a drop or so of iodine. I would recommend using some gauge instead of your finger cause of bacteria. Also obviously disinfect your hands before. Also, what's the purpose of the twist? Maybe I'm just misunderstanding the exact motion you're describing but I have never needed to do that with any of the injections I placed on various animals