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| II. Giving Injections |
• Some medications may be given through
the mouth (orally) or put on the skin (topically), but
many are injected.
• Read the label to learn how a medication should
be injected. Not following the label directions may make
the medication ineffective, damage the animal’s tissue
or increase withdrawal times. There are two common ways
to give injections: |
| |
- Subcutaneous or SQ: Medication is injected under
the skin or hide.
- Intramuscular or IM: Medication is injected into the
neck muscle. |
| • Can a drug ever be used differently
than it says on the label? |
| |
- A veterinarian may prescribe a drug to be used somewhat
differently than what is written on the label. This
is known as extra-label drug use and is only legal when
prescribed by a veterinarian.
|
| III. Injection Sites |
| • Injections should be administered
only in certain places on the animal. |
| |
- All SQ and IM injections should be given in front
of the shoulder, not on the rump or hind leg. In young
pigs, SQ injections also may be given in the elbow pocket
or flank.
- Giving injections in the rump or hind leg can cause
damage to the most valuable meat on the animal. |
| • Injecting too much in one place also
can damage the meat. |
| |
- In cattle, do not give more than 10 cc per injection
site.
- Larger amounts are more likely to cause abscesses
and may reduce the medication’s effectiveness. |
|
• The amount per site varies for different types
and sizes of animals; for example, small pigs should
only get 5 cc per site.
|
 |
 |
YES, correct injection site |
 |
NO, incorrect injection site |
Are there any kinds of drugs that cannot
be used extra-label?
|
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IV. Needles
|
| • Keep needles clean. |
| |
- Clean needles are less likely to cause infections
and abscesses.
- Cleaning needles between uses will reduce the spread
of disease among animals. |
| • Disposable needles should be properly
disposed of after use. |
| Use the right size: |
| |
-The larger the needle, the more likely that it will
damage the meat. Needle size is described by gauge and
length. The gauge indicates diameter, or how big around,
the needle is. The larger the gauge, the smaller the needle.
For example, an 18-gauge needle is smaller in diameter
than a 16-gauge needle.
- Use 16- or 18-gauge needles, or possibly smaller, for
smaller animals.
- Use shorter needles for SQ injections than for IM
injections. |
| • Needles should be free of defects: |
| |
- Defects include bent, burred or dull
needles.
- If a needle is bent or broken, replace it. A bend or
burr can damage muscle or part of the needle may even
break off in muscle tissue.
- Change needles often. Needles become dull with use.
Sharp needles will cause less tissue damage than dull
ones. |
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| 20x1/2" |
18x5/8" |
16x3/4" |
16x1" |
16x11/2" |
14x1" |
14x11/2" |
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V. Record Keeping
|
| Record keeping is very important when using
any kind of medication. Even though you may think you
can remember everything you’ve done with your animals,
sometimes you may forget when a withdrawal period is over
or which medications you have given. Keeping accurate
written records will help answer any questions that may
arise about the medications your animals have received. |
| • Some of the things you need to record
include: |
| |
- which animal was sick (by ear tag, ear
notches or other identification methods)
- what medication was given
- how much was given (dose)
- when (date) it was given
- withdrawal time
- who was responsible for giving the medication. |
| • Record this information every time
a medication is used, even when the same medication is
used two or three days in a row. |
| Date |
Animal |
Medication |
Amount |
Withdrawal |
Withdrawal ends |
Person responsible |
| April 15, 2001 |
4-H steer #3214 |
Omnibiotic |
15 cc |
30 days |
May 15, 2001 |
Mary J. |
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