How to inject sheep

[Tommy_T]

I have to inject a sheep with an IM dose. Have done this in groin but not putting anything on its bum this time of year. If I pop it in the rump (she’s a breeder so not worried about carcass) does the needle go in straight or at an angle, and does it need to point in any direction? I’ve not done one before. If I follow up spine towards head from base of tail how far up, and then down the side, roughly do you go?

 

[tepapa]

Most make it into the food chain eventually.
Inject into the neck muscle on either side of the spine.

 

[Gator]

Same as the nurse i had, just stuck it anywhere , I know how the sheep feels now

 

[puppet]

Feel along the base of the spine and a few inches to the side another bony lump of the hip. There should be plenty muscle in between those points.

Or, the triangle formed along top of neck and in front of the shoulder roughly size or your hand.

 

[Tommy_T]

Does it just go straight in, not at an angle or anything?

 

[puppet]

With a new needle easy to put just straight in the hip or slight angle into the neck if you stand alongside with knee tight against the ribs.
Hurry up before the bliddy thing dies

 

[Pistonbroke]

Depends how long the needle is

 

[Tommy_T]

Hurry up before the bliddy thing dies

No worries Puppet, this was more of a preemptive enquiry as I thought she might need one, but I think the topical spray is doing a good enough job. Always worry I don’t really know what I’m doing (when really I’d prob be fine!)

 

[Longlowdog]

Best practise is as stated above to inject in the neck. If by any chance an abscess forms it does so in the least valuable cut of meat and not the most expensive. Even if the whole carcass is not condemned with a gigot abscess at least 25% of the value has gone in the waste bin.
If every old sheep died on farm there would be no issue but if there is even a remote chance of you or the next owner putting the sheep in the fat ring then the responsible thing to do is to inject the neck.

 

[twizzel]

No worries Puppet, this was more of a preemptive enquiry as I thought she might need one, but I think the topical spray is doing a good enough job. Always worry I don’t really know what I’m doing (when really I’d prob be fine!)

Our vets ran a medicine course a while ago, as Red Tractor now say someone from each farm should go on a med course. I went and actually found it interesting rather than a box ticking exercise for RT. You could see if your vets might be running one in the next few months if the virus allows.

 

[Danllan]

No worries Puppet, this was more of a preemptive enquiry as I thought she might need one, but I think the topical spray is doing a good enough job. Always worry I don’t really know what I’m doing (when really I’d prob be fine!)

As @twizzel wrote, if you aren't confident get some tuition. It's quickly learnt and, once learnt, not forgotten.

 

[Agrivator]

Why are some injections intramuscular, and some subcutaneous?

This is a good guide on how to inject cattle. There is a world of difference between the point of a perfect new needle and even a slightly damaged needle. A valuable tip: if you think the needle point might be damaged, but not visible to the naked eye, drawing it across the back of your hand will allow you to feel any damage.

Tips on Properly Giving Cattle Injections - Countryside

Cattle injections are often necessary. Vaccines, antibiotics, injectable vitamins, scours, etc. should always be administered properly to be effective.

iamcountryside.com

 

[Filthyfarmer]

Why are some injections intramuscular, and some subcutaneous?

This is a good guide on how to inject cattle. There is a world of difference between the point of a perfect new needle and even a slightly damaged needle. A valuable tip: if you think the needle point might be damaged, but not visible to the naked eye, drawing it across the back of your hand will allow you to feel any damage.

Tips on Properly Giving Cattle Injections - Countryside

Cattle injections are often necessary. Vaccines, antibiotics, injectable vitamins, scours, etc. should always be administered properly to be effective.

iamcountryside.com

Not if its got something like footvax on it !!

 

[primmiemoo]

Ideally, learn injection techniques on cattle and/or equines. Unlike sheep, they're inclined to let one know if it's done badly.

 

[puppet]

I taught a young vet on injection technique when they put the needle in attached to syringe which promptly snapped off

 

[spin cycle]

Why are some injections intramuscular, and some subcutaneous?

i think some vaccines if injected into muscle can trigger the disease they're meant to protect against because they come into contact with the cell proteins more quickly

 

[Agrivator]

i think some vaccines if injected into muscle can trigger the disease they're meant to protect against because they come into contact with the cell proteins more quickly

But what is the effect of giving injections (usually antibiotics) under the skin, when the recommendation is to give them intramuscularly?

 

[shumungus]

Sub-cutaneous (under the skin) is a more of a slow sustained release than intra-muscular (into the muscle) which in turn is slower than intra-venous (into the vein).

 

[Agrivator]

Sub-cutaneous (under the skin) is a more of a slow sustained release than intra-muscular (into the muscle) which in turn is slower than intra-venous (into the vein).

But is an antibiotic which is slowly released just as effective (eventually) as an intramuscular injection.

A big dose of Pen/Strep into the muscle is much harder and more painful for the cow, than the same dose under the skin.

 

[primmiemoo]

Big doses in one shot are to be avoided where possible, aren't they? It can be easier to administer two smaller IM doses in two locations where a cow is in a handling crate.