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Step 1
When giving a lizard a shot, if the needle goes through the scale, it will not only dull the needle but also will be painful for the lizard.
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Step 2
The size of the needle used to give a pet lizard a shot depends on the size of the lizard. Note that the higher the gauge number, the smaller the needle. Keep in mind that the 27 gauge needle is commonly used on smaller lizards, whereas gauges ranging 20-23 are used more often for larger lizards.
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Step 3
Take notice of terms associated with the three ways to give a pet lizard a shot: Subcutaneous (SQ), which is between the skin and muscle; Intramuscular (IM), which is in the muscle; and Intravenous (IV), which is in the vein.
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Step 4
Insert the needle somewhere on the front, third of the lizard's body if applied into the skin (SQ). Inject either on the side of the abdomen or ribs where the skin is loose. Insert the injection between the scales where it's not so hard.
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Step 5
Apply the needle into the muscle (IM) to give a pet lizard a shot. Use the body parts along the backbone or the front legs.
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Step 6
Inject into the veins (IV) by selecting one of two veins most commonly used by veterinarians to give a pet lizard a shot. Choose the vein that runs down the mid-belly or the vein that runs down the underside of the tail.
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Step 7
Keep in mind that dosages for lizards differ from those given to cats and dogs. Realize lizards are cold-blooded creatures and their body metabolism is slower than that of cats and dogs. Space dosages out for lizards over two or three days (as opposed to typical twice daily dosages for dogs and cats, for instance). Check with your veterinarian to be sure of the dosages.
