I don't have any experience with this...and as an animal lover I really feel for you. :( I just wanted to say that I have had good luck with "Rescue Remedy". It's a homeopathic and has a lot of healing powers. It is safe for animals. I've used it on my cat with much success. It may help Mickey's itching.

Bach Flower Essences

You can find it at health food stores.

Best of luck.

Sorry if it's a derail, but I've got a cat with diabetes who needs insulin shots twice a day. Like you, I was not looking forward to sticking him twice a day for the rest of his life. Thing is, they have lots of loose skin, so you squeeze a little, put in the needle (and it's a little thin needle anyway), and it's done before he notices. I usually do his shot at mealtime, so I get his (diabetic-diet) food ready, give him his shot, and have his food bowl in front of him right away. Rather that associate his mealtime with pain, he seems to connect the little sting with yummy food.

It's really pretty easy to administer shots to animals (I used to work in a kennel, and all the young pups and kittens received a battery of shots when they arrived; before that I gave daily insulin shots to a diabetic cat).

See, their skin is usually much looser than ours, so you can gently pinch about an inch of skin up between your thumb and forefinger and inject the crest of the fold (I hope that makes sense -- like folding paper crease-side-up and poking the crease). You've probably seen the vet do this.

If the dog simply won't stay still, you can distract it (this usually works better with two people). Pick him up on your lap or the couch and put something sweet on your accomplice's fingers. Get him good and concentrated on that, and give him the injection while he's preoccupied. Chances are he won't even notice, though if he does he'll probably return to licking sweets right away.

Seriously, pet syringes are tiny. Not only do they not make much of a hole (no real point in covering it, as it will dry, close and heal in hours on its own), they don't cause much pain, and so little medicine is needed for dogs that it only lasts seconds.

Also, if you yourself are scared of needles, think of it as a mechanical operation that really has nothing to do with needles or personalities. You're doing something that has to be done, and it's not only not bad at all for the dog, it helps him immensely. You're helping him out, and it only pinches for a second, and dogs do far more painful things themselves every day, like walking barefoot on broken glass or sticking their paws under your feet when you walk by. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be on him. And there's no reason it shouldn't be easy on you, too.

Seriously, injections don't even make a blip on dogs' consciousnesses. And even if it did hurt, your dog would adore you nonetheless. I should know...

...for I am a dog.

The tips are helpful all. I am not afraid of needles myself or of hurting the dog. I have seen vets give shots before in a variety of places (neck folds, legs, etc). I realize these little critters are quite resilient. I am simply looking for tips, and so far these have been great! One question I still have is whether I will have to change the spot I administer the shot every so often? I assume my vet will be able to provide me with tips, tricks and hints too, but I want to prepare myself.

Mickey is very good about putting up with things he doesn't like and immediately goes to his reward spot after he has had his nails clipped, his bath, a pill, lotion, etc, to get some peanut butter, carrots or apples.

Thanks again! If there are more tips or if folks want to relay their stories, please continue.