Needle phobia

[Greentchr]

How does one get over a needle phobia?

Kona and the girls got out a few days ago, and of course the rest were just fine, but Kona ripped her leg pretty badly on something- looked like wire.

The vet is out of town, and I don't have a trailer to bring her in anyway, so I cleaned her up and ran into the vets for Pennicilian G and some HUGE syringes and MONSTEROUSLY big needles:eek: , with the instructions to jab her every day for 5 days <gulp>.

I hate needles. I hate getting them, I hate giving them, I hate even looking at them!

The first day I stabbed her in the rump, she jumped and I only got half in (30cc total) before the needle came out and I had to do it again on the other side.

The second day my neighbor came over and showed me how to do it right- I was trying to jab the needle in with the syringe already attached <eek!>. I was also standing on the same side as I was jabbing...

Today neighbor came and held dear horsey while I did the jabbing <gulp again>. I did it right, she never jumped, I didn't even shake uncontrollably afterwards!

I still hate needles. Tomorrow I am on my own...

I really hate needles.

[horse_converted]

hi yeah in time you will find that you will get more use to it. Just keep telling your self that it is for the best so u have to do it. good luck with it all

[galadriel]

FYI you're not supposed to give more than 10cc in any one injection site (look on the bottle).

Can't help you with the needle phobia when giving injections, sorry! I can manage needles if they're not going into me, can't think what I'd do if I couldn't.

[rowdent]

My husband has needle phobia, so if you do find anything that helps, let us know... At least you don't faint! LOL... can you imagine how embarrassing it can be for a full grown man to turn up his toes and fall over at the mere sight of a needle? It actually makes me giggle now, I'm used to it after 15 years... but it can be a nightmare, he fainted at my chiropractors once...!

As for the injections, you're doing great.. sounds like you now understand the theory... and having done it once, maybe you're OK now... ? You have my sympathy anyway...

[Greentchr]

FYI you're not supposed to give more than 10cc in any one injection site (look on the bottle).

I wondered about that- I read that on the bottle, but the vet did not say anything about that... and only gave me 5 needles, or one per day... I think another call to the vet is in order. Thanks.

[lamprellsarah]

oh don't even go there, i work at a yard and our foals keep getting poorly with one thing or another and they keep ending up on a 5/7 day course of one thing or another.

our colt is is one his third day of injections and is now a complete pain to go in the stable with as he looks at us with totally suspision, and once we have him headcollared he rears and throws himself around.

AND i am scared of needles i have so far not had to do any injecting as the other girl does it and i do the hanging on part, i am not looking forward to the day i may have too!!!!!

[Kimo]

I've never quite conquered it, but one vet told me to imagine the needle isn't there. They're so sharp that they go in fairly easily, so just aim and think to yourself... "The needle isn't there." Never jab. Once started, go all the way--the horse dislikes it when you stop and start over. (Yes, I've done that!) Have a goal of being smooth and sure.

That said, my barn uses the pill form of antiobiotics/bute, etc. It's so much easier!

K.

[Portia]

It's not so much the needle going into the skin as the injected contents taking up space in the tissue that causes discomfort. Just think about the bottom line; if you dont do this, she may get worse.

Just as an aside - what always makes me giggle is the number of BIG macho men who come into hospital for surgical procedures, and declare themselves needle phobic... it's about that same time you notice they're covered in tatoos!

[Greentchr]

I am happy to say that the 5 days are over:D . No more needles for a good long time, I hope!

Thursday I hit a bleeder twice- I was shaking so bad by the third jab I just about dropped the needle!

Friday, she didn't even twitch when I put it in. The key is to tap-tap-tap with the finger, then jab it in all the way. Then, wait a few seconds until she is not moving around (and has her nose in the treat bucket), attach the syringe, and push the stuff in.

I am not over the phobia, but at least I know I can do it, now!

Thanks everyone for your support!