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.
  • For more information, see snake skin.
• Intramuscular: the site for intramuscular injections is the musculature lateral to the spinous processes.
  • For more information, see snake musculoskeletal system.
• 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.