I Can't Give B12 Injections Myself? Why Not? Did/Does Anyone Do Their Own?

[Snowshoe]

Oban's B12 test came back low, I was told he should have an injection when down at the Internal Specialist Vet anyway today for his rehab. Thanks to Google before arriving there I discovered B12 is usually given as a series. Sure enough we got there and were told he should have a series of six, one a week. They are subQ in the fatty area on top of his withers. But I cannot get pre-loaded syringes and do it myself, has to be a Vet. It can be my regular, closer Vet. But it still means a Vet visit. Apparently there is some compound in it that cannot be released to a client. I haven't got back to Mr. Google but I bet somebody here has done their own, right?

[Sue]

Maybe it's a Canadian law?

The EPI dogs forum has a discussion, and it appears others can give them no problem.

Topic: Do you give your pet B12 injections yourself? -

[Charlotte K.]

Another thought is: can you use a B12 skin patch? Maybe on the ear flap. I came across a reference to them in checking out sublingual B12. Or can it be formulated into a cream that you apply to the bare skin inside the ears? We had to use that method for meds for a cat with intestinal cancer. It saved her from injections. I would also check farm supply stores for the injectable or information concerning the law.

[Snowshoe]

Thank you ladies. Seems it's up to the dispensing Vet. She is liable for any mistakes I might make. It's SubQ though, so even a bit of air is not a big problem. As far as I can determine they don't pre-load, even at the link above it seems folks are buying syringes and the stuff separately. And sometimes it is administered intra muscular but even then air is not a big problem. It's only with injection into a vein that air is a concern. When I was on Lupron Depot myself my OH gave me the IM injection once a month, our Doc. gave us a lesson. OH was great at it.

My regular Vet knows me better. I was a Lab Tech too, in my long ago summer student days, I can load a syringe. So I guess I will follow through with the next 5 but if we decide to continue monthly I will see if our closer but still a 40 minute drive regular Vet will issue a Rx for me to get it and do it myself. I did Oban's and Ginger Cat's cartrophen SubQ injections.

[BaconsMom]

I know its not the same, but we gave our Lily monthly allergy med injections at home for 16 years. I got really good at it, and it was very convenient not having to go into the vet every month. I would ask about it!

[POPTOP]

Can you get the prescribing vet to OK you doing it at home so you can get the stuff you need? It's not difficult to do. Maybe your local vet will OK it and give the obligatory lesson.

Injections for insulin are an example I'm think about. Dog owners are doing this on a regular basis.

[Snowshoe]

Yes, I just emailed our regular Vet. Just a second ago. I think since the initial series of six is per the specialist Vet I will comply with them but get the old Vet, who is only a 20 minute drive, to do the next 5. Then if we need once a month see if I can do it.

[Jazzypad1]

We are in the UK and I give regular B12 injections to my dog. He has been on them for a long time now and needs to have them on an on-going basis. Blood tests show that he becomes B12 deficient unless he is injected every 12 days.

After the first few injections I asked to be taught how to do them myself by the veterinary nurse at our usual practice. It's very easy to draw up and I give the injection into the scruff of the neck (I usually sneak up behind him when he's eating and he barely notices that I'm doing it).

I used to get the B12, together with needles and syringes, from the vet - but then found that I could buy these items locally much cheaper.

Good luck!

[Snowshoe]

We see our regular Vet on Tuesday. She will give Oban his second B12 injection but she has a neat trick. She does acupuncture on him and she will use the B12 at his acupuncture sites. She says the acupuncture effects normally last longer when she does this. She will also see about pre-loading syringes for me for the subsequent B12 needed.

Hah! I just did a google to see if I can buy the stuff and load it myself without a Rx. I didn't find my answer but instead came up with information that says oral B12 is just as good as intramuscular injections for humans. Now I have to find out why I need injections for Oban; are dogs that different? And we aren't even doing IM, we're doing SubQ. The first one was SubQ

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24379898

Looks like I should be able to get the oral or the injectable over the counter. At least if it was for myself. Still not sure about dogs. PopTop, do you know for the U.S?

[Jazzypad1]

Now I have to find out why I need injections for Oban; are dogs that different? And we aren't even doing IM, we're doing SubQ. The first one was SubQ

I am on B12 injections myself, which are given IM (and they really sting!). Yet its OK for Monty to have the injs SubQ. I've asked about this several times and still not got a sensible answer.

I was told that Oral B12 is not always effective if there are problems with the digestive tract, pancreatic issues, or lack of intrinsic factor (which is necessary for the body to be able to utilise the cobalamin from the digestive tract)