3 pp.Injections must be done correctly to prevent abscesses and scarring. This publication explain proper techniques for various types of injections

Villarino, Mario  A.

Texas A&M University

E-567
05-09
Proper Injection Techniques 
in Dairy Cattle
I 
t is very important to administer medications to dairy 
cattle in the proper way. That means using the correct 
drug, dosage and injection technique; handling animals 
and vaccines appropriately; and following sanitation 
guidelines.  
Selecting the drug, dosage and          
injection technique
Consult a veterinarian and read the medication label  
and/or package insert before vaccinating animals. 
Administer only drugs labeled for use in dairy  
cattle. Refer to the vaccine label for this information. 
Using a vaccine in an animal species for which it is 
not labeled is illegal.
Give the proper dosage as indicated on the label.  
Always give an injection in the body area  
recommended on the product label. Give injections 
forward of the shoulder when possible. The neck 
muscle is the best choice.
Avoid placing more than one injection on the same  
side of the neck to prevent medicine interactions and 
severe tissue reaction.
Don’t inject more than 10 cc (ml) in one site. If more  
medication must be given, use several injection sites.
Use the recommended route of administration. There  
are three main routs of administration.
Subcutaneously (SQ).   This injection goes 
between the skin and muscle, but not into the 
muscle. Many vaccines and antibiotics can be 
administered this way. It is the preferred method 
Mario A. Villarino*
*Extension Associate
The Texas A&M University System
2Handling vaccines
Always note the expiration date  
and instructions for storage on 
the medicine label.
Most vaccines must be  
refrigerated during storage 
and use. Keep the refrigerator 
temperature between 36 degrees 
F and 46 degrees F.
When using vaccines, keep  
them in an insulated cooler with 
ice packs during the summer. 
In cold weather, use the same 
container to keep vaccines from 
freezing. Freezing makes some 
vaccines ineffective.
If vaccines do not require  
refrigeration, store them out 
of direct sunlight and in a 
controlled environment.
When finished vaccinating for  
the day, properly dispose of 
any remaining vaccine. Once 
a vaccine vial is opened, the 
expiration date is void.
Using sanitary methods
Protect needles and medicines  
from dust. Dust particles injected 
with a medicine can cause 
abscesses.
Use a transfer needle to extract  
medicine from the bottle and 
transfer it to another needle used 
for the injection. 
Never insert a used needle into  
a medicine bottle. Use a clean 
needle or a transfer needle.
Use a clean needle for  
each animal to prevent the 
transmission of disease.
for protecting meat quality. 
Always use this method if 
it is an option given on the 
label.
Intramuscularly (IM).   This 
injection goes directly into 
the muscle. To minimize 
damage to meat, use the 
muscles in front of the 
shoulder.
Intravenously (IV).   This 
injection goes into a vein 
and directly to the animal’s 
blood stream. It is used for 
medications that can cause 
severe muscle damage. In 
dairy cows, the mammary 
vein can be used for IV 
injections. But use this 
vein only if a veterinarian 
recommends it and shows 
you how to do it.
Give boosters when required. 
Selecting equipment
Use only clean, sharp needles,  
preferably new ones.
Use the appropriate needle  
size for the medication being 
administered. Needles usually 
range from 16- to 18-gauge and 
from 1 to 2 inches long. Use the 
smallest size needle that will 
work.
Handling animals
Restrain animals properly before  
vaccinating them.
3Do not use chemical  
disinfectants to sterilize needles 
or syringes. Instead, place them 
in boiling water for 20 minutes.
Properly dispose of used needles  
in a puncture-proof “sharps” 
container.
Timing injections and 
observing withdrawal periods
Avoid vaccinating cows within 2  
weeks of calving.
Pay attention to withdrawal  
times listed on product labels. 
The amount of time required 
after a medicine is administered 
before the meat and/or milk 
are safe for consumption is 
called the withdrawal time. The 
withdrawal times for meat and 
milk may be different. It is illegal 
to sell meat or milk that contains 
medicine residue and sellers are 
subject to large fines. 
If there is a withdrawal time  
on the label of the drug you 
are using, mark the animal 
with a leg band or some other 
identification.
Keeping records
Develop a record-keeping system  
for your dairy herd to document 
individual animals or groups 
of animals treated. Be sure to 
record:
Date of treatment 
Name, lot number and serial  
number of the product used
Route of administration 
Also record the success or  
failure of the treatments and any 
unusual side effects or reactions 
observed in animals.
Preventing injection site lesions
When an injection is done improperly 
or the injection site becomes infected, the 
result may be tissue damage and abscess. 
An abscess is an accumulation of dead 
cells in the tissue. Abscesses reduce carcass 
quality and the price the producer receives. 
Injection site scarring also reduces carcass 
quality. In fact, most quality defects in meat 
from dairy carcasses are a result of injec-
tion site scarring, which can radiate up to 3 
inches from the injection site into surround-
ing muscle tissue. Even very young calves 
can form injection site lesions, and these 
lesions may remain until slaughter.  
The best way to prevent abscesses and 
scarring is to administer vaccines subcuta-
neously whenever possible. When intramus-
cular injections must be given, be sure to 
use proper injection techniques. 
Conclusion
Producers can reduce the need for vac-
cinations by establishing preventive herd 
health programs. There are vaccines for 
immunizing cattle against a number of dis-
eases. A program of preventive vaccination 
can eliminate the need for more intensive 
treatments should diseases develop.
4Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to socioeconomic 
level, race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of Congress  
of May 8, 1914, as amended, and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. 
Edward G. Smith, Director, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, The Texas A&M University System. 
New
Produced by AgriLife Communications, The Texas A&M University System
Extension publications can be found on the Web at: http://agrilifebookstore.org.
Visit Texas AgriLife Extension Service at http://AgriLifeExtension.tamu.edu.


English

Proper Injection Techniques in Dairy Cattle

Texas A&amp;M Repository

E-56705-09Proper Injection Techniques in Dairy CattleI t is very important to administer medications to dairy cattle in the proper way. That means using the correct drug, dosage and injection technique; handling animals and vaccines appropriately; and following sanitation guidelines.  Selecting the drug, dosage and          injection techniqueConsult a veterinarian and read the medication label  and/or package insert before vaccinating animals. Administer only drugs labeled for use in dairy  cattle. Refer to the vaccine label for this information. Using a vaccine in an animal species for which it is not labeled is illegal.Give the proper dosage as indicated on the label.  Always give an injection in the body area  recommended on the product label. Give injections forward of the shoulder when possible. The neck muscle is the best choice.Avoid placing more than one injection on the same  side of the neck to prevent medicine interactions and severe tissue reaction.Don’t inject more than 10 cc (ml) in one site. If more  medication must be given, use several injection sites.Use the recommended route of administration. There  are three main routs of administration.Subcutaneously (SQ).   This injection goes between the skin and muscle, but not into the muscle. Many vaccines and antibiotics can be administered this way. It is the preferred method Mario A. Villarino**Extension AssociateThe Texas A&M University System2Handling vaccinesAlways note the expiration date  and instructions for storage on the medicine label.Most vaccines must be  refrigerated during storage and use. Keep the refrigerator temperature between 36 degrees F and 46 degrees F.When using vaccines, keep  them in an insulated cooler with ice packs during the summer. In cold weather, use the same container to keep vaccines from freezing. Freezing makes some vaccines ineffective.If vaccines do not require  refrigeration, store them out of direct sunlight and in a controlled environment.When finished vaccinating for  the day, properly dispose of any remaining vaccine. Once a vaccine vial is opened, the expiration date is void.Using sanitary methodsProtect needles and medicines  from dust. Dust particles injected with a medicine can cause abscesses.Use a transfer needle to extract  medicine from the bottle and transfer it to another needle used for the injection. Never insert a used needle into  a medicine bottle. Use a clean needle or a transfer needle.Use a clean needle for  each animal to prevent the transmission of disease.for protecting meat quality. Always use this method if it is an option given on the label.Intramuscularly (IM).   This injection goes directly into the muscle. To minimize damage to meat, use the muscles in front of the shoulder.Intravenously (IV).   This injection goes into a vein and directly to the animal’s blood stream. It is used for medications that can cause severe muscle damage. In dairy cows, the mammary vein can be used for IV injections. But use this vein only if a veterinarian recommends it and shows you how to do it.Give boosters when required. Selecting equipmentUse only clean, sharp needles,  preferably new ones.Use the appropriate needle  size for the medication being administered. Needles usually range from 16- to 18-gauge and from 1 to 2 inches long. Use the smallest size needle that will work.Handling animalsRestrain animals properly before  vaccinating them.3Do not use chemical  disinfectants to sterilize needles or syringes. Instead, place them in boiling water for 20 minutes.Properly dispose of used needles  in a puncture-proof “sharps” container.Timing injections and observing withdrawal periodsAvoid vaccinating cows within 2  weeks of calving.Pay attention to withdrawal  times listed on product labels. The amount of time required after a medicine is administered before the meat and/or milk are safe for consumption is called the withdrawal time. The withdrawal times for meat and milk may be different. It is illegal to sell meat or milk that contains medicine residue and sellers are subject to large fines. If there is a withdrawal time  on the label of the drug you are using, mark the animal with a leg band or some other identification.Keeping recordsDevelop a record-keeping system  for your dairy herd to document individual animals or groups of animals treated. Be sure to record:Date of treatment Name, lot number and serial  number of the product usedRoute of administration Also record the success or  failure of the treatments and any unusual side effects or reactions observed in animals.Preventing injection site lesionsWhen an injection is done improperly or the injection site becomes infected, the result may be tissue damage and abscess. An abscess is an accumulation of dead cells in the tissue. Abscesses reduce carcass quality and the price the producer receives. Injection site scarring also reduces carcass quality. In fact, most quality defects in meat from dairy carcasses are a result of injec-tion site scarring, which can radiate up to 3 inches from the injection site into surround-ing muscle tissue. Even very young calves can form injection site lesions, and these lesions may remain until slaughter.  The best way to prevent abscesses and scarring is to administer vaccines subcuta-neously whenever possible. When intramus-cular injections must be given, be sure to use proper injection techniques. ConclusionProducers can reduce the need for vac-cinations by establishing preventive herd health programs. There are vaccines for immunizing cattle against a number of dis-eases. A program of preventive vaccination can eliminate the need for more intensive treatments should diseases develop.4Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of Congress  of May 8, 1914, as amended, and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Edward G. Smith, Director, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, The Texas A&M University System. NewProduced by AgriLife Communications, The Texas A&M University SystemExtension publications can be found on the Web at: http://agrilifebookstore.org.Visit Texas AgriLife Extension Service at http://AgriLifeExtension.tamu.edu.

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Proper Injection Techniques in Dairy Cattle

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Proper Injection Techniques in Dairy Cattle

Abstract

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Full text

Available Versions

Texas A&M University

Texas A&amp;M Repository

Texas A&M Repository