Here I am gearing up mentally for the deed. I REALLY detest giving shots!
Can you see my anguish over the sharp needle?
Poor Yalla! She was fidgeting and I was freaking. Did I tell you how much I hate giving shots? And she wasn't staying still like Annie does. I've had to give my horses shots before and I can, but it's so different when you just have to stick them, than when you have to stick a moving target. You have to be really sure of yourself and I knew I wasn't. 
I got the needle in and she was squirming, so I pushed the plunger. In horror, I watched a stream of fluid squirt into the air. How stupid could I be? If only I had waited a second or two more for her to settle down again before I pushed the plunger! The needle had come away from under her skin and was in her fur and the precious fluid was completely wasted! I looked at the ruined shot and it was the East West Nile. I told my son, "well, at least there aren't any mosquitos out at this time of year." lol. I guess if I had to waste a shot, that was the one to throw away. So now, it was time for the Flu vaccine. I knew I wasn't up for the task. Yalla was looking at us like, what the heck? My wonderful, heroic son offered to do the deed. I gushed, yes, please! So, I held her and he gave the shot. That is why we don't have any photos of him giving the shot. I do have to say that even though Yalla was fidgety, she was a trooper and took it better than I really expected.
In a couple of weeks, I have to give booster shots. Oh my! Trevoooooooor! I neeeeeed you, please?
One Shot - song: One Shot, artist: Tin Machine featuring David Bowie, album: Tin Machine
11 comments:
I *used* to be able to give shots without a problem... now for some reason I just can't. I think I've read too many horror stories in magazines about what can go wrong.
Shots are no big deal for me though Indigo was such a trooper when she lacerated her shoulder I was giving her 20 or 30 cc's of stuff a day and she was not liking that. After the shots were done I would still pound on her neck daily and she would shake her head and give me these bugged out wild eyes. I bet shes gonna be a pain next spring for shots.
You do realise ,it was a much bigger issue for you than it was for Yalla. Glad your son was able to help. You are a sweet lady,with a kind soft heart ,its not really that big a needle.Sucks about the WNV shot ,but you can catch her up before skitter season
We leave the shots up to our vet. We have given Banamine shots before so I know we can do it, but we choose to let him to do it since he's the pro.
Dan
Shots are difficult. I rope in the hubby for that.
I used to give my horses shots, but it terrifies me, so I now just have my vet do it. I have the needle fear too, and my hand would shake really bad!
Glad you at least got one into her!! The cold probably didn't help either!!
You are probably better off getting someone else to give the shots, because Yalla will pick up on your nervousness and figure that if you're scared, she darn sure should be too.
Shirley, you are probably right about her feeding off my nervousness. Fortunately, she has been pretty easy to work with, so far.
I used to give shots myself because I thought it would be more convenient, but after I somehow managed to stab myself I didn't want to risk it anymore. When Gabbrielle was younger, she stood still with her happy ears forward and acted like she felt nothing. Now that she's had a few shots, she anticipates it and dances around to avoid it.
Val, you need to come out to our cattle ranch some working weekend and practice on all the cows. We give plenty of shots out there. Probably not the same as horses, but could get your confidence up. :)
The immunizations are a piece of cake after you have to give a penicillin shot - 20 cc with an 18 gauge needle and it's thick stuff. Good luck next time. I'm sure you'll be fine.
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