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Timely Injection Tips

 

Late summer and fall are busy times for vaccinating calves, but good quality assurance reminders like these are always timely when working with injectable animal health products.

Since they were first identified as a serious problem in the 1991 National Beef Quality Audit, the frequency of injection-site lesions found in carcass muscle tissue, especially the top-sirloin butts, has been substantially reduced. But they can still result from injections, such as clostridial bacterins, antibiotics, and vitamins, administered intramuscularly, and reduce tenderness and cause loss of product as well. Wholesome food is what beef producers strive to produce, and this is why the industry remains vigilant about education and awareness.

Injection Guidelines:
 
 
 
 
  1. Regardless of animal age, all injections—intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SQ) medications and vaccines – should be given in front of the shoulders, in the neck region, but never in the rump, top loin, or back leg (see above).
  2. Preference is given to injections that can be administered SQ, intravenously (IV) or orally.
  3. Never exceed more than 10cc per IM injection site. (If 24cc is recommended, use three 8cc injections instead of two 12cc injections).
  4. Do not use chemical disinfectants in the syringes when using a modified-live virus product, as effectiveness of the product will be decreased.
  5. Provide proper restraint to avoid breaking needles in animal tissue.
  6. Use the needle size proper for the situation. Consider:  a) route of  administration; b) size of animal; c) location or site of injection; d) product administered. The volume or amount of fluid injected may also be considered: a. 16-18 gauge 1/2 to 3/4-inch needles for SQ   b. 16-18 gauge 1 to 1-1/2-inch needles for IM (see chart below).
  7. Space injections at least four inches apart.
  8. Never mix products. Mixing products can cause unnecessary tissue damage,  reduce the effectiveness of the products, and may extend the withdrawal time.
  9. Processing cattle in wet, muddy conditions can increase the chance of  injection-site contamination. Injection-sites should be clean if possible.
  10. Follow the proper record keeping protocol.
 
 
When administering an injection:
 
Vaccine Handling Guidelines:
1. Purchase vaccine from a reputable dealer.  Transport it in a refrigerated container. Keep vaccine shielded from UV light by storing it in a refrigerator and transport it using cold packs.
2. Always keep the vaccine cool while you process cattle. Keep the working bottle of vaccine and syringes in a cooler. Unused and unmixed product should be in a closed, refrigerated container until used.
3. Only mix MLV product within an hour of use.
4. If you are processing a small number of cattle, purchase the product in small containers with fewer doses.
 
Needle Guidelines:
Change Needles
√ immediately if the needle bends
√ if the needle becomes contaminated with feces, dirt, or irritating chemicals
√ if the needle point is damaged or a burr develops
√ before the needle becomes dull (every 10 to 15 head)
√ between cattle with known blood-borne infectious disease
Gauge – diameter of the needle, adjust to match cattle weight.
Length – fit the route of administration, adjust to cattle weight.
 
The chart below can help you select the right needle for the product, weight of animal, and route of administration.
 
Source: Wyoming Beef Quality Assurance