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Preparing A Syringe And Needle For Injection

4.8.3 Preparing A Syringe and Needle for Injection

Carefully calculate the amount of medicine needed, based on the animal’s weight and concentration of the drug as specified on the label.
Wash hands with soap and water.
Clean the rubber top of the medicine vial with disinfectant and shake the vial to mix the medicine.
Attach a sterile, capped needle securely to a syringe.
Remove the needle cap and introduce the needle into the vial. Making sure the tip of the needle is submersed in the medicine, pull on the plunger to fill the syringe with the necessary quantity of medicine.
Remove the needle. With the needle pointed up, push the plunger slightly to remove any excess air in the syringe. After removing the air, make sure enough medicine still remains in the syringe.
Give the injection immediately or replace the needle cap to avoid contamination.
Whenever the needle cap is removed, avoid touching the needle (except at the base) or allowing it to touch other things that may contaminate it.
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USE STERILE, SHARP NEEDLES

Needles and syringes should be discarded, or they should be rinsed and re-sterilized before their next use.

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Dull needles should be re-sharpened or discarded since they may cause abscesses.

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DISCARD PROPERLY AND SAFELY!

Needles should be discarded in a narrow-mouthed container with a secure lid. When the container becomes full, it should be discarded by burning or burying.

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Needles should NEVER be discarded by tossing them on the ground or in the general (municipal) garbage. This may result in needle stick injuries to people or animals.

NEVER insert a used needle into a bottle of medicine or vaccine. Always use a sterile needle. Otherwise the entire bottle of medicine can be contaminated.