Why should the hair be clipped around an injection site?

Clipping the hair around an injection site is primarily done to help prevent the introduction of germs into the body. By removing hair in the area where an injection will be administered, the chance of contaminants and bacteria being transferred into the bloodstream during the injection is significantly reduced. Hair can trap dirt and microorganisms, which can lead to infection at the site of injection. This practice is especially important in veterinary medicine, where maintaining aseptic conditions is critical to the health and safety of the animal receiving the medication.

While other aspects, like aesthetics or improving medication effectiveness, might be considered, the main focus should always be on ensuring that the injection site is clean and minimizes the risk of infection, making sanitation a top priority in animal care practices.