https://staff.flinders.edu.
au/content/dam/staff/research/ebi/animal/sops/swms-rabbit-injection-
techniques.pdf
Intramuscular Injection
• Needle size 25 – 30G x 13mm, maximum volume 1.0ml per site. •
Anesthesia is not required but can be used. • Intramuscular injection are
injected into the Quadriceps muscles of the hind limb, care must be taken if
injection into the biceps femoris as the sciatic nerve runs the length of the
femur. 1. Restrain the rabbit and palpate the muscle
1. Restrain the rabbit and palpate the muscle and femur with the fingertips.
2. Insert the needle anterior to the femur, halfway between the hip and the
knee, and parallel to the femur.
3. The needle is first directed slightly downward to enter the group of
muscles, then parallel to the femur to maintain the depth while avoiding
complete penetration of the muscle or touching the femur itself with the
needle. Care must be taken not to inject too deeply as it is possible to
inject the sciatic nerve which runs down behind the femur.
4. Gently draw back on the plunger, to ensure that no blood is drawn up
into the syringe, then inject the desired dose.
NHMRC Volume and Needle Size Recommendations Route Needle Gauge
(G) Volume Comments Subcutaneous 21-25G x 25-38mm 2-5ml Volume
depends on the looseness of skin. Distension of skin is painful, so minimise
this by using multiple sites (up to 4 per session). Intramuscular 25-30G x
13-25mm 1ml / site Volume refer to aqueous solutions that are rapidly
absorbed. Halve volume/site for oily solutions. Intraperitoneal 21-26G x 25-
28mm Maximum bolus volume is 1% of animal's body weight Volume refer
to aqueous solutions that are rapidly absorbed. Reduce the volume for oily
solutions. Intravenous 21-26G x 13-25mm Maximum bolus volume is 1% of
animal's body weight Volume refer to aqueous solutions. Bolus injection
should be given slowly, over 1 minute. Greater volumes can be administered
if much slower infusion rates are used. Intradermal 25-30G x 13mm 0.05 -
0.1ml The volume depend on the thickness of the skin. The maximum
number of sites is 6.
Subcutaneous Injection • Needle size 21 – 25G x 25-38mm and an
appropriate needle size, draw up the required dose, and expel any air
bubbles. • Anesthesia is not required. This technique requires only one
technician. • The injections are usually made under the skin overlying the
neck, back and sides. 1. Restrain rabbit as per “SWMS 4.0 rabbit- Sexing,
Handling and Restraint”. 2. Tent the skin between your thumb and
forefinger.
3. Insert the needle through the skin.
4. Gently draw back on the plunger. If blood is not observed in the hub of
the needle, inject the desired dose.
5. Withdraw the needle. Briefly apply pressure to the needle entry site.
Intradermal Injection • Needle size 25 – 30G x 13mm, maximum number
of sites is 6, depends on the thickness of the skin maximum volume is
0.05ml/site. • This technique requires two technicians, one to restrain the
animal the other to carry out the injection. Light anesthesia is required if
one technician is administering the injection. • Sites commonly used include
the skin over the back and abdomen. 1. Shave the area to be injected. 2.
With the bevel of the needle up, insert the needle almost parallel with the
surface of the skin. 3. Insert the needle into the skin approximately 2-3mm,
inject desired dose (Note: There is considerable resistance to the passage of
the needle when it is being inserted into the dermis compared to a
subcutaneous injection). 4. A bleb in the skin (as seen in the photo below)
will indicate a successful intradermal injection.
Intravenous Injection - Marginal Ear Vein • Needle size 21 – 26G x 13-
25mm, maximum bolus volume 1% of animal’s body weight. • Anesthesia is
not required, although light sedation 0.1ml/kg sc ACP10 (Acpepromazine
10mg/ml) is recommended. 1. Carefully remove hair from the vein with a
scalpel blade or clippers, and apply EMLA 5% lignocaine cream to the site
at least 10 mins before procedure. 2. The marginal ear vein can be dilated
by one of several ways:
(i) Occluding the vessel with the thumb and forefinger. (ii) Place the ear
under a heat lamp for 3-5 minutes. 3. The vein is immediately below the
skin and must be entered at a very shallow angle- insert the needle bevel up
almost parallel to the vein. The ear should be held taught and bent down
while the vein is being entered at the point of the bend. 4. After completion
of the injection, pressure should be applied to the site until bleeding ceases.
