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Re: [RC] Spring Shots - Heidi SmithAm I the only person here who gives shots in the butt and not the neck? While I understand why some vets (who don't want to get their teeth kicked in by strange horses) use the neck. The butt has MUCH bigger muscles, fewer "other structures" (like no nuchal ligament) to hit by accident, and the but muscles get used more so the vaccine will purfuse to the tissue better. Nope, you're not the Lone Ranger. I NEVER give injections in the neck, and have treated more client vaccinations in the neck than I can shake a stick at. Was taught by docs far wiser than I not to use the neck as a vaccination site, because the muscles are in thin layers there separated by fascia (hence you can end up with less efficient utilization of the vaccine by the body), the fascial planes can lead infection down into the thoracic cavity from there, and there is no ventral drainage from the injection site, should the need arise. Never mind the fact that a horse with a sore neck may well refuse to eat and drink, which can further exacerbate any problems. That said, I also try to avoid the large muscle on the top of the rump as well--contamination there can be REALLY nasty, due to lack of ventral drainage. Best injection site is the back of the thigh, and second best is the pectoral muscles on the front of the chest. So if you're worried about getting your teeth kicked out, use the latter. I'm so appalled by the fact that the neck seems to be the "standard" injection site, even by veterinarians, and I've responded so often to the subject, that I was trying to politely sit on my hands this time.... Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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