Snake Injection


Surgical preparation of the skin and adequate restraint are important whatever the method © RVC

How to inject snakes

Parenteral methods of treatment include intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous and intracoelomic. Ensure that the snake is adequately hydrated prior to the injection. Give the injections between the scales and use a small gauge needle.

  • Subcutaneous: the site for subcutaneous injections is the skin lateral to the ribs. SC injections are the route of choice in small snakes.
  • Intramuscular: the site for intramuscular injections is the musculature lateral to the spinous processes.
  • Intravenous: the site for intravenous injections is the ventral tail vein.
  • Intracoelomic: snakes do not have extendible cavities like lizards. Only small amounts can be given ICo and should not be given if space-occupying lesions are present.


Snake Injection Learning Resources
CABICABI logo.jpg
Literature Search
Search for recent publications via CAB Abstract
(CABI log in required)
Snake injection technique publications





Error in widget FBRecommend: unable to write file /var/www/wikivet.net/extensions/Widgets/compiled_templates/wrt67241d66e14475_43426240
Error in widget google+: unable to write file /var/www/wikivet.net/extensions/Widgets/compiled_templates/wrt67241d66e6d4f7_56358133
Error in widget TwitterTweet: unable to write file /var/www/wikivet.net/extensions/Widgets/compiled_templates/wrt67241d66f1d711_28119564
WikiVet® Introduction - Help WikiVet - Report a Problem