Best Way To Give Shots?

Hi! I have a 6 month old Scarlet Macaw named Jenny. She is getting Baytril injections for an infection. I have never giving shots to a bird this big. I'll wrap her in a blanket, on her back, not squeezing her, and she'll act like she can't breathe. If I don't do it this way, she will get her claws free and rip the needle out. Any suggestions?

Is there any way you can get her to the vet's office to have them give the shots? You can also ask if they can mix you oral Baytril to give her. They can mix it as concentrated or diluted as you need. BTW if you give medicine orally, she needs to be upright (like holding her vertical and slightly head forward, or standing on her feet).

I find it quite bizarre that the vet wouldn't show you how to administer the shots...
They're intramuscular I assume?
I inject my birds into the breast, but I would make absolutely sure that the vet is ok with you doing this first. If you can get someone to help you, it's a lot easier for two people.

I also would think your vet would demonstrate and make sure you were comfortable to do it. I did it with my Red Bellied parrot before. A lot smaller than a Macaw. I had to do it myself because I couldn't literally drive back and forth to the vet twice a day for a week.

The vet made it look so easy, but it did take me doing a couple injections to feel like I was confident. He showed me a zig zag pattern. Top left in morning then top right at night, next day a little lower left in morning, then to the right at night, next day a little lower yet, but not too low because I had to keep room for about 5 days without running out of room . That was the challenge on a smaller bird. He gave me a diagram to show the pattern and keep track of where I had already done. I wrapped him in a towel and just did it. I can understand how a large Macaw would be easier with someone to help. Good luck! Hope Jenny is better soon.

It is possible to teach a bird to accept getting shots while ignoring the uncomfortable needle. Saw a video of a 40+ year old cockatoo that was taken to a zoo and he was trained to accept injections without restraint. Not something you'd want to do while the bird is sick, though.... but it can be done.

With large birds and not a lot of experience, it's usually much easier to do with someone to help you. One person to towel and hold and the other person to do the injection. I hope your baby feels better soon! Give her lots of treats and love every time you wrap her up and it won't be as big of a deal after a while.