Comments & suggestions should be directed to jroese@lssu.eduVisit my websiteInjection SitesIntraperitoneal (IP) injections should be administered in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen to avoid vital organs. The animal's head should be tipped downward to allow organs to fall out of the way. Only the tip of the needle should be introduced as penetration of the abdomen too deeply may result in puncture of the intestines. If the intestine is punctured fluid will often be observed leaking from the rectum. The smallest needle possible should be used, and will depend on the viscosity of the agent to be injected. A maximum of 5 - 10 ml may be administered to rats by this route. This is the most common method of administering drugs and anesthetics to rats. (Intraperitoneal injection using the Camilla restraint method ).Subcutaneous (SC) injections are given under the skin and may be administered dorsally or ventrally. The most common location is under the skin of the back or sides. The skin over the back should be tented while the needle is introduced at a shallow angle to the skin. A successful SC injection results in the formation of a small bleb in the skin if the injection volume is 0.5 ml or more. (Subcutaneous injection using the Camilla restraint method ).Intradermal (ID) injections are administered within the skin. The usual sites for ID injections are the skin over the thorax or abdomen. The area must be prepared by removing the hair with clippers. The skin should be held taught while a small (23 gauge or less) needle is introduced at an acute angle to the skin. The needle should be pushed into the skin for 2 - 3 mm before injecting, at which time resistance to the passage of the needle will be felt. If no resistance is encountered the needle is probably in a SC location instead. Only a small volume can be injected ID (< 0.1ml) and will result in the formation of a small bleb at the site.Intramuscular (IM) injections are most commonly administered in the muscles of the hind limb (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, or gluteus maximus ). The injection should not be too deep to avoid hitting the femoral nerve or bone, and no more than 0.3 ml should be injected into a muscle site. Extremely irritating substances should not be injected into the muscle as it can result in self-mutilation of the limb if muscle or sciatic nerve damage occurs.(Intramuscular injection using the Camilla restraint method ).Intravenous (IV) injections are feasible for a number of sites in the rat. Because all of these veins are relatively small, considerable practice is required to gain proficiency in IV injection techniques. The tail or caudal vein may be used for i.v. injection in young rats but may be difficult to use in older animals due to the thickness of the tail skin. A tail vein is present at 90° on either side of the central tail artery. Warming the tail with water or a heat lamp induces vasodilation and helps in visualization of the vessel (use care not to overheat the rat). Use a 23 - 25 gauge needle to inject and start distally on the tail in relation to the heart. A “flash” of blood into the hub of the needle may or may not occur when the needle enters the vein; likewise, aspirating the needle may not reveal the presence of blood even though the needle is in the correct position. Injection of the contents will be easy if the needle is intravascular, while formation of a bleb indicates that the needle is extravascular. After injection, apply pressure with a piece of gauze until bleeding has stopped.Injection may be made into the two sublingual veins located on the ventrolateral aspects of the tongue. The rat must be anesthetized for this procedure, and is laid on its back with its head toward the worker. The tongue is pulled out with forceps and then held at the tip with the thumb and first finger to produce a slight convex curvature. The veins are superficial and must be entered almost horizontal to the tongue surface. It may be helpful to dry the surface of the tongue with a piece of gauze or the needle may slide when injection is attempted. A 25 gauge or smaller needle should be used. Adequate pressure should be applied to the injection site to prevent the formation of hematomas and to ensure clotting.The penile vein may be used in male rats and also requires anesthesia. The rat should be placed on its back, and the glans penis extruded by sliding the prepuce downwards and pressing the base of the penis. The penile vein is visualized as a distinct central vein or as a diffuse, blue sinus. After injection pressure should be applied to the site to effect hemostasis.The femoral vein may be used for injection but it requires a cutdown for access to the vessel, which represents a minor surgical procedure. Other vessels which may be accessed for IV injections include the jugular, lateral saphenous, and dorsal metatarsal veins.
Intraperitoneal Injection. The animal is restrained by holding the front legs in one hand and stretching the tail out with the other.STEP 1
Position the forearm of the hand holding the front legs over the tail. Use the opposite hand to administer the injection. Be sure to deliver the injection in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen.STEP 2
Intraperitoneal Injection (Camilla method). Grasp the tail between the thumb and index finger, while gently holding the animal down. Lift the base of the tail.Maintain gentle pressure on the back while grasping the posterior end of the animal and lifting. Administer the injection to the lower right qaudrant of the abdomen.STEP 1STEP 3STEP 2
Administer the injection into the tent of loose skin.Subcutaneous Injection (Camilla Method). Maintain pressure on the animal while grasping the loose skin of the back.STEP 1STEP 2
Administer the injection to the muscular area of the thigh.Intramuscular Injection (Camilla Method). Gently extend the hind limb of the animal.STEP 1STEP 2
Intravenous Injection. The animal is placed in a restraining device and the tail is warmed in a water bath. Take care not to overheat the animal.
Pull the tail snugly and rotate it to position the vein on top. Insert the tip of a 22 - 25 gauge needle about 1cm from the tip of the tail.
After penetrating the skin surface, reposition the syringe parallel with the tail. Inject slowly.
Hold the thumb over the injection site prior to withdrawing the needle to prevent bleeding.STEP 1STEP 2STEP 3STEP 4
Comments & suggestions
should be directed to
jroese@lssu.edu
Visit my website
Injection Sites
Intraperitoneal (IP) injections should be administered in the lower right quadrant
of the abdomen to avoid vital organs. The animal's head should be tipped
downward to allow organs to fall out of the way. Only the tip of the needle
should be introduced as penetration of the abdomen too deeply may result in
puncture of the intestines. If the intestine is punctured fluid will often be
observed leaking from the rectum. The smallest needle possible should be used, and will
depend on the viscosity of the agent to be injected. A maximum of 5 - 10 ml may be
administered to rats by this route. This is the most common method of administering drugs and
anesthetics to rats.
(Intraperitoneal injection using the Camilla restraint method ).
Subcutaneous (SC) injections are given under the skin and may be administered
dorsally or ventrally. The most common location is under the skin of the back or
sides. The skin over the back should be tented while the needle is introduced at
a shallow angle to the skin. A successful SC injection results in the formation of
a small bleb in the skin if the injection volume is 0.5 ml or more.
(Subcutaneous injection using the Camilla restraint method ).
Intradermal (ID) injections are administered within the skin. The usual sites for ID injections are
the skin over the thorax or abdomen. The area must be prepared by removing the hair with
clippers. The skin should be held taught while a small (23 gauge or less) needle is introduced
at an acute angle to the skin. The needle should be pushed into the skin for 2 - 3 mm before
injecting, at which time resistance to the passage of the needle will be felt. If no resistance is
encountered the needle is probably in a SC location instead. Only a small volume can be
injected ID (< 0.1ml) and will result in the formation of a small bleb at the site.
Intramuscular (IM) injections are most commonly administered in the muscles of
the hind limb (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, or gluteus maximus ). The
injection should not be too deep to avoid hitting the femoral nerve or bone, and
no more than 0.3 ml should be injected into a muscle site. Extremely irritating
substances should not be injected into the muscle as it can result in self-
mutilation of the limb if muscle or sciatic nerve damage occurs.
(Intramuscular injection using the Camilla restraint method ).
Intravenous (IV) injections are feasible for a number of sites in the rat. Because
all of these veins are relatively small, considerable practice is required to gain
proficiency in IV injection techniques. The tail or caudal vein may be used for i.v.
injection in young rats but may be difficult to use in older animals due to the
thickness of the tail skin. A tail vein is present at 90° on either side of the central tail artery.
Warming the tail with water or a heat lamp induces vasodilation and helps in visualization of the
vessel (use care not to overheat the rat). Use a 23 - 25 gauge needle to inject and start distally
on the tail in relation to the heart. A “flash” of blood into the hub of the needle may or may not
occur when the needle enters the vein; likewise, aspirating the needle may not reveal the
presence of blood even though the needle is in the correct position. Injection of the contents
will be easy if the needle is intravascular, while formation of a bleb indicates that the needle is
extravascular. After injection, apply pressure with a piece of gauze until bleeding has stopped.
Injection may be made into the two sublingual veins located on the ventrolateral aspects of the
tongue. The rat must be anesthetized for this procedure, and is laid on its back with its head
toward the worker. The tongue is pulled out with forceps and then held at the tip with the thumb
and first finger to produce a slight convex curvature. The veins are superficial and must be
entered almost horizontal to the tongue surface. It may be helpful to dry the surface of the
tongue with a piece of gauze or the needle may slide when injection is attempted. A 25 gauge
or smaller needle should be used. Adequate pressure should be applied to the injection site to
prevent the formation of hematomas and to ensure clotting.
The penile vein may be used in male rats and also requires anesthesia. The rat should be
placed on its back, and the glans penis extruded by sliding the prepuce downwards and
pressing the base of the penis. The penile vein is visualized as a distinct central vein or as a
diffuse, blue sinus. After injection pressure should be applied to the site to effect hemostasis.
The femoral vein may be used for injection but it requires a cutdown for access to the vessel,
which represents a minor surgical procedure. Other vessels which may be accessed for IV
injections include the jugular, lateral saphenous, and dorsal metatarsal veins.
