Intravenous (IV): Injections given IV are spread to all tissues of the body extremely rapidly. This is important in cases where the animal may require medications or fluids immediately because of dehydration or sickness. Situations of diarrhea, milk fever (hypocalcemia), grass tetany (hypomagnesemia), or pregnancy toxemia often require immediate IV fluids.
When giving injections or fluids IV, use a needle 1 to 1 ½ inches in length and 18-20 gauge in diameter. The best location to give large volume IV injections is in the jugular vein in the neck.
In lactating dairy goats, the milk vein can sometimes be used to inject small volumes of fluid. If an injection is given in a milk vein, use a small gauge needle to help reduce the possibility of excessive blood loss.