How do you give an injection in a rat’s neck? - briefly
Restrain the rat, locate the ventral cervical region just lateral to the trachea, disinfect the skin, and insert a sterile needle at a shallow angle (15‑30°) into the subcutaneous tissue or muscle, delivering the dose slowly before withdrawing the needle.
How do you give an injection in a rat’s neck? - in detail
Administering a cervical injection to a laboratory rat requires strict adherence to aseptic technique, precise anatomical identification, and careful animal handling to ensure accurate delivery and minimize distress.
Begin by assembling sterile supplies: a 1‑ml syringe, 27‑30‑gauge needle, appropriate drug or solution, alcohol swabs, disposable gloves, and a clean work surface. Verify the dosage and volume, ensuring the total injection does not exceed 0.1 ml per 10 g of body weight.
Place the rat on a padded surface and restrain it using a gentle but firm grip. Hold the animal with the forepaws secured against the torso, allowing the head to be positioned slightly elevated. The neck region should be exposed by pulling the skin laterally to create a taut surface.
Identify the injection site by locating the ventral cervical area, just caudal to the mandible and lateral to the trachea. Avoid the carotid artery and the thyroid gland. Clean the selected spot with an alcohol swab and allow it to dry.
Insert the needle at a shallow angle (approximately 30–45°) directed toward the midline, penetrating the skin and underlying muscle to a depth of 2–3 mm. Aspirate gently to confirm the absence of blood. If no blood is drawn, deliver the predetermined volume slowly, typically over 5–10 seconds, to prevent tissue disruption.
Withdraw the needle smoothly, apply gentle pressure with a sterile gauze pad to the injection site for a few seconds, and monitor the rat for any immediate adverse reactions. Return the animal to its cage, observe for at least 15 minutes, and record the procedure details in the experimental log.
Dispose of the needle and syringe in a designated sharps container. Clean the work area with an appropriate disinfectant before proceeding to the next animal.