Shot VitaminVitamin K Shot NewbornsBaby VitaminArticle VitaminVitamin InfoVaccine ArticlesVaccine InfoVaccinesVaccination InfoForwardVitamin K Shot for Newborns: Risks and Benefits. Make sure to do your research with each baby! This is my NextYou can head back to our homepage, or check out some great posts.Subcutaneous B-12 injections may be less painful than intramuscular ones. Your body uses vitamin B-12 to make red blood cells, nerves, DNA and protein. B-12 also helps your body metabolize fat and carbohydrates for energy. Although your body is unable to generate B-12, the vitamin is readily available from dietary sources including dairy, meat and fish. If you develop a vitamin B-12 deficiency, intramuscular or subcutaneous injections may be necessary. Deficiency Those most at risk for developing a vitamin B-12 deficiency are vegetarians -- because the vitamin is found in dairy and meat -- and individuals with absorption problems presented by weight-loss surgery, Crohn's disease and celiac disease.
The elderly and people who take a lot of heartburn medication are also at risk, according to Harvard Health Publications. The symptoms of a B-12 deficiency include numbness or tingling of the extremities, fatigue, weakness, anemia, swollen tongue, jaundice, difficulty walking, cognitive difficulties, memory loss and paranoia. Types of Injections For an intramuscular injection, a needle is inserted with a quick thrust at a 90-degree angle. The needle penetrates the skin and subcutaneous tissue, and the medicine is deposited in the underlying muscle. The deltoid muscle in the upper arm is the preferred injection site for adults. For a subcutaneous injection, the needle is inserted at a 45-degree angle so that it pierces the skin but does not reach the muscle tissue. The doctor or nurse may pinch your skin to pull the subcutaneous tissue away from the muscle.. For adults, the preferred injection site is the outer aspect of the arm. Intramuscular vs Subcutaneous Parenteral administration of vitamin B-12 via injection has been standard protocol for decades, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Both types of injections have few associated side effects and constitute very effective treatment. Patients report less burning with a subcutaneous administration, which gives it a slight advantage over an intramuscular injection, according to the CDC. Considerations Some weight-loss programs offer or recommend vitamin B-12 injections to boost metabolism. Do not get B-12 injections without your physician's approval. : : Vitamin B-12 Injections for Weight LossMinnesota Department of Health: How To Administer Injections Photo Credits Dynamic Graphics Group/Dynamic Graphics Group/Getty Images Suggest a Correction How to Give Insulin to a Dog Dogs with diabetes aren't able to make enough insulin, a hormone that allows the body to store energy from food and move glucose into cells. Because this condition has serious and potentially fatal consequences, diabetic dogs are typically treated with insulin injections one or two times each day. Because insulin is not a sturdy substance, it is important to handle it gently and avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures or excessive motion.
Store unopened bottles of insulin in your refrigerator. After they have been opened, it is still advisable to keep insulin in the fridge. It can tolerate short periods of time at room temperature in an area where it’s out of direct sunlight. Recommended Related to Pets Cat Litter and Litter Boxes Your new cat is coming home from the animal shelter tomorrow. Busily you shop, checking off the items on your list, including cat food, toys, a scratching post and myriad other goodies. And at the very top of the list are litterbox necessities. You head to the nearest pet supply superstore, and are faced with row after row of “all things litter.” Pastel-colored clumping litter, good old clay litter, some that’s made from pine and some that’s made from newspaper...What to choose, what to choose?... Read the Cat Litter and Litter Boxes article > > Before attempting to give your dog insulin, it is wise to practice loading the syringe with the appropriate amount of sterile water or saline.
You can even use an apple or orange to practice giving insulin injections until you feel you are ready to try it on your dog. Because there are many different kinds of dog insulin syringes, make sure you buy the size and type recommended by your veterinarian. Steps for Giving Your Dog Insulin Always use a new syringe and needle every time you give your dog an insulin injection. This will guarantee that your supplies are sterile and minimize risk of infection. Unwrap the syringe and needle, but leave the needle itself capped until you are prepared to load the syringe with insulin. Carefully roll the bottle of insulin in your hands to make sure the hormone is well mixed. Do not shake it. Remove the needle cap. Then, use the pointer finger and thumb of one hand to hold the insulin syringe while drawing back on the plunger with the other hand. Continue to pull back, filling the plunger with air, until you reach the correct marker for the amount of insulin your dog will need.
Hold the bottle of insulin upside-down in your non-dominant hand. Insert the needle into the bottle through the middle of the rubber cap and depress the plunger, forcing the air into the bottle. This will prevent the formation of a vacuum when you fill the syringe with insulin. Next, still holding the bottle upside-down, insert as much of the needle as you can into the bottle, keeping the needle tip covered by insulin. Pull back on the plunger until you have the correct amount of insulin in the syringe. If you notice an air bubble inside the syringe, draw a little extra insulin into the tube. Then, remove the needle from the bottle and hold the syringe-needle apparatus with the needle pointing toward the ceiling. Tap or flick the insulin syringe until the air bubble rises, and then push the plunger to force the air out of the syringe and get rid of any extra insulin. Gently pinch some of your dog's loose skin anywhere along his neck or back, using your non-dominant hand.
Then insert the needle into the skin, parallel to the fold. Pointing the needle this way will minimize the likelihood that you will put the needle in one side and have it come out the other. Draw back on the plunger. If it fills with air or blood, remove the needle and syringe and discard. Get a new needle and syringe and re-draw the insulin dose as before. Go ahead and reinsert the needle into your dog. If you do not get air or blood, depress the plunger to give your dog his insulin injection. Try to give the shot in a different spot every time you give your dog an injection. If your dog gets away or you can't tell whether he received the full dose, do not try to give more insulin. Wait until the appropriate time to give the next injection of the prescribed dose. Discard the dog insulin syringe and needle in the special container provided by your veterinarian and follow recommended procedures for disposal. Bad Foods for Dogs Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat Risky Mistakes Pet Owners Make