Needles

[johnspeehs]

I know one bloke who swipes the new needle across a concrete block before use because the pop let's you know you're through the skin and not injecting into thin air, especially on wooly sheep

Wonder how he would fancy it next time he needs an injection

 

[Jackov Altraids]

I'm a tight git and that's why I don't re-use needles other than for 1 animal having a course of treatment or a batch of 15 or so if vaccinating a lot.
They are only about 6p each and the potential problems of using dirty needles could cost you a fortune.

 

[neilo]

I'm a tight git and that's why I don't re-use needles other than for 1 animal having a course of treatment or a batch of 15 or so if vaccinating a lot.
They are only about 6p each and the potential problems of using dirty needles could cost you a fortune.

What are those potential problems from ‘dirty’ needles, given the sheep will likely be running as a mob and covered in the same bacteria already?

If the needle is still sharp, and assuming it’s not being stuck back into the bottle between each sheep, I really don’t get the argument for changing needles after so many sheep.

 

[som farmer]

I'm a tight git and that's why I don't re-use needles other than for 1 animal having a course of treatment or a batch of 15 or so if vaccinating a lot.
They are only about 6p each and the potential problems of using dirty needles could cost you a fortune.

l was at Bridgemans yesterday, large assortment of needles on offer, all in plastic boxes, so you could pick the 'right' size, no price tag, and l didn't buy any, either, which l probably should have,

 

[Jackov Altraids]

l was at Bridgemans yesterday, large assortment of needles on offer, all in plastic boxes, so you could pick the 'right' size, no price tag, and l didn't buy any, either, which l probably should have

I think needles are about 15p if bought individually or can be £6 for 100.
They have a use by date but if stored sensibly that is surely redundant.
I wouldn't be happy not having a bunch on the shelf.

What are those potential problems from ‘dirty’ needles, given the sheep will likely be running as a mob and covered in the same bacteria already?

If the needle is still sharp, and assuming it’s not being stuck back into the bottle between each sheep, I really don’t get the argument for changing needles after so many sheep.

At an AHDB event they were very insistent that dirty needles cause huge problems with carcasses.
I'm not sure how often this is reflected in payment but I understand that when one comes back a lighter than you imagined it could be due to a lot of trimming because of this.
It might not immediately be reflected in the sale of cull ewes but buyers would soon know if your sheep had regular problems.
I've always been careful but did get a lot of ewes with infected injection sites after heptavac one year so I have always changed needles regularly since. At 6p, it's a pretty cheap way of reducing risks.

 

[Bury the Trash]

If I didn't use the needles supplied with Steramatic, I'd use that sort for vaccinating.

Yes for sub cut ... 3/4 long ones and go in sideways with the other hand making a bit of a tent i forgot to say.

sterimatic ones come out about half inch iirc and go straight in not that i have used them for yers.

 

[Bury the Trash]

I think needles are about 15p if bought individually or can be £6 for 100.
They have a use by date but if stored sensibly that is surely redundant.
I wouldn't be happy not having a bunch on the shelf.



At an AHDB event they were very insistent that dirty needles cause huge problems with carcasses.
I'm not sure how often this is reflected in payment but I understand that when one comes back a lighter than you imagined it could be due to a lot of trimming because of this.
It might not immediately be reflected in the sale of cull ewes but buyers would soon know if your sheep had regular problems.
I've always been careful but did get a lot of ewes with infected injection sites after heptavac one year so I have always changed needles regularly since. At 6p, it's a pretty cheap way of reducing risks.

all metal Reusable ones can work out a bit cheaper overall if you dont count the time of boiling them up every now and then, and sharpening them on a stone if need be and they are a bit stronger than the plastic disposable ones .

 

[primmiemoo]

‘Out of date’ syringes? FFS, no wonder the NHS p*sses so much money up the wall.

Thing is, though, not having enough in stock is not much fun, just in time ordering doesn't work, and syringes do go out of date. Can't boil them up in a stainless steel kidney dish these days. They melt.

 

[neilo]

Thing is, though, not having enough in stock is not much fun, just in time ordering doesn't work, and syringes do go out of date. Can't boil them up in a stainless steel kidney dish these days. They melt.

Why would you need to boil ‘out of date’ syringes? Unless the packaging has been opened then they surely remain sterile?

 

[primmiemoo]

Yes for sub cut ... 3/4 long ones and go in sideways with the other hand making a bit of a tent i forgot to say.

sterimatic ones come out about half inch iirc and go straight in not that i have used them for yers.

All go in at an angle when I do 'em. I agree, definitely need a 'tent' of loose skin to inject into.

 

[primmiemoo]

Why would you need to boil ‘out of date’ syringes? Unless the packaging has been opened then they surely remain sterile?

I don't think the packaging is as secure as it was. Maybe it becomes brittle or permeable? I remember when every single-use syringe came in its own plastic sleeve with a lid. Much more rugged all round, and I could boil that sort of syringe to get a second use for it for livestock.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Thing is, though, not having enough in stock is not much fun, just in time ordering doesn't work, and syringes do go out of date. Can't boil them up in a stainless steel kidney dish these days. They melt.

wash thoroughly with warm water and F liquid, then immerse in Milton steri tablets. rinse with kettle water and allow to air dry.

using anything harsher and the rubber plunger swells up jamming in the syringe

 

[neilo]

wash thoroughly with warm water and F liquid, then immerse in Milton steri tablets. rinse with kettle water and allow to air dry.

using anything harsher and the rubber plunger swells up jamming in the syringe

Or draw water out of a green water trough, squirt on the floor, and away you go.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Or draw water out of a green water trough, squirt on the floor, and away you go.

well sounds to me like yr water troughs need a clean out as well

 

[Ffermer Bach]

Does anyone know what size needles I need? I'm fed up of not having any and am going to do a bulk order online but I don't know what sizes are standard and don't want to end up with 100 needles meant for injecting mice!

Ideally two sizes, one for intramuscular and one for subcutaneous. What does the "g" mean as well

Thanks

I got a load of (100 of each)

16g x 1 1/2"
19g x 1"

Years ago, I was out and about at work, and wanted to inject the eyelid of a ewe when I got home from work, so driving past a vet in St Clears (not my vet), I nipped in, to ask could I buy thin gauge needle to inject into the eye lid. They refused to sell me one! I have no idea why. I said I could buy needles in Carmarthen & Pumsaint Farmers, or if I was a druggie, the Council would let me swap needles in a needle exchange. So I stomped out, with a a bit of an attitude, and called into the Vet Centre in Carmarthen (who I will add are VERY heavy on the pen - another story), same answer again (but one of the vets there who I knew heard me, and told the reception it was fine to give me a needle!).

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I didn't know you could get new needles, I just wash the old one and use again. When it gets blunt I run it down a stone, seems to work alright. It was 1 inch but now it's nearer half an inch. Maybe I should buy another.

I remember mentioning in passing to the vet about sharpening a blunt needle, and getting a very strange look!

 

[primmiemoo]

I remember mentioning in passing to the vet about sharpening a blunt needle, and getting a very strange look!

When single use disposables weren't available, the carefully hoarded tin box of hypodemic nurdles had to last. They needed maintenance!

From 1927. Instructions in second column, with illustration ~

A SIMPLE METHOD FOR SHARPENING HYPODERMIC NEEDLES

Any one who has attempted to repoint a hypodermic needle knows the difficulties encountered. The illustration shows a simple and effective device for sharpening them.The length of the bevel can be varied by thrusting the needle through the cork at different angles.A similar method may be used to...

jamanetwork.com

 

[Bury the Trash]

always need a good (flat) stone around for knives etc

Stihl Sharpening Stone and Whetstone - Radmore & Tucker

Stihl Sharpening Stone and Whetstone for all universal sharpening and whetting tasks. Two-sided with coarse and fine grain for use with water or oil, for sharpening pruning shears, secateurs, hedge trimmers and for the precision grinding of bush hooks, barking irons and axes.

www.radmoretucker.co.uk

obviously dont put a dirty one on the stone but also clean/ rinse and sterilise after sharpening .

 

[primmiemoo]

always need a good (flat) stone around for knives etc

Stihl Sharpening Stone and Whetstone - Radmore & Tucker

Stihl Sharpening Stone and Whetstone for all universal sharpening and whetting tasks. Two-sided with coarse and fine grain for use with water or oil, for sharpening pruning shears, secateurs, hedge trimmers and for the precision grinding of bush hooks, barking irons and axes.

www.radmoretucker.co.uk

obviously dont put a dirty one on the stone but also clean/ rinse and sterilise after sharpening .

That's the guidance for Doctors to human beans, btw. Real Dr Finlay stuff!

 

[Bury the Trash]

That's the guidance for Doctors to human beans, btw. Real Dr Finlay stuff!

Used to love him (and his casebook) Sunday nights iirc, original telly program that was in the Sixties mind