completely through the skin tent and depress the plunger. In the case of a shorn animal, it is easy to pick up a big fold of skin and the skin tent can be easily visualized. For IM injection, the large triceps muscle just dorsal to the elbow can be palpated on the opposite side of the animal, and the needle can be directed into this large muscle mass.
Figure 2.30 Photo illustrating working in a packed pen. One handler is balancing and/or steering the animal using the bracelet, second hander administers a subQ injection. The animal is never restrained but can move.
Figure 2.31 The handler is giving an injection solo without restraint using a panel and a knee to keep the animal contained but not restrained.
For IM injections, lean over the animal and use the triceps muscle (Figure 2.36). In the case of an IM shot, the needle goes straight into the muscle and there is no need to tent the skin. The motion should be smooth and quick; there is no need to tap on the skin or use an abrupt movement. If the animal walks, simply walk with it, and the person should use their body position and hip to keep the animal tracking around the pen as you maintain your position behind the line of site.
Giving injections on the opposite side of the animal is critical to the success of this technique. The animal will naturally move away from the needle. By using this technique, the animal will move toward the person giving the injection while moving away from the needle. This makes it easy to stay with the animal and keep the needle under the skin as the injection is administered. For a right‐handed person, an approach from the animal's left, with the injection given on the right is preferred by the author, but this technique can be used from either side. Box 2.3 lists tips for giving intramuscular and subcutaneous injections.
Injections for Babies and Weanlings
Even handlers who embrace the idea of no‐restraint injections for adults, may still be tempted to pick up babies (if assistance is available) or sit on them (if no assistance is available). These techniques only teach resistance and fear, and eventually they stop working. At three or four months of age, a flailing young camelid can cause injury to itself and the humans trying to restrain it.
Figure 2.32 This photo illustrates keeping the alpaca near and parallel to the panel. The presence of other animals both slows the progress of the animal being injected and adds to the sense of security.
Figure 2.33 Injections can be given while multiple animals are contained in a round pen.
Crias can stand on their own four feet in balance and accept injections like adults. The main advantage of the no‐restraint technique is that it does not require any level of training for the animal. Halters, lead ropes, tying, and standing still are not requirements. If your herd management protocol calls for injections in the first few days of life, you can give the injections just as the author has described. Always keep a new baby with its mother; a catch pen is great for this. As crias get older, you can work them with the herd.
Drawing Blood
Blood can be taken from the neck, ear, tail, or front leg. In the author's experience, the easiest location to draw blood without restraint is from the jugular vein. Always work inside a catch pen or a trailer. To assist the person drawing blood, stand on the left side of the animal, with the person drawing blood in the front and a bit to the right. Standing on the left side of the animal, the author prefers to put one hand on the handler helper (high and snug on the neck) and the other hand under the jaw. When a halter is used, there is a tendency to rely on it to hold rather than balance the head. Balance the animal and turn the head to the left, which helps the person drawing the blood to find the vein. Ask the person drawing blood to let the handler know when he or she is going to push the needle in. When the animal reacts, try to rebalance it but do not attempt to hold it down or still. It is important for both parties to remember to breathe.
Figure 2.34 In this photo, a helper is balancing the animal for an IM injection.
Figure 2.35 This photo illustrates using a handler helper, along with a balancing hand under the jaw, as the alpaca receives a subQ injection. Notice that the handler injecting the medication is using the wool to lift the skin away from the body, distracting the animal from the entry of the needle.
Figure 2.36 An intramuscular injection into the triceps muscle is done easily by reaching over the body when the needle enters. If the animal moves, he will move toward the person and away from the needle making it easier to stay with the animal without using restraint.
If the animal rears up, let him, and do not try to hold him down; this only turns a startle reaction into a panic reaction (Figure 2.37). The skin of the neck is very thick and once the needle is in, the person drawing blood can let go of the needle; it will not fall out. The person drawing blood can wait until the animal is steadied. Once the animal is standing quietly again, the person drawing blood can continue, adjust the needle placement if necessary and draw the blood. If this approach is undesirable, a chute can be used as described earlier. Shoulder neck supports and a rear barrier make drawing blood easier. Make sure that the butt board is adjusted so that the animal has minimal front‐to‐back movement. The animal should be up against the shoulder supports, and do not tie the animal in the chute. To assist, stand on the left side of the chute to steady and turn the head to the left following the same procedure as outlined above. Food can be offered as encouragement and reward to make the animal feel less anxious.
Box 2.3 Tips for Giving Injections
Use an appropriate needle for the job. Thicker medications require a larger needle.
For IM injections, once the needle is in the muscle, push the medication slowly. It is more comfortable for the animal and is less likely to tear