We're do inject heptavac

[Agri]

My sheep are coming in in the next few weeks for their heptavac injection before lambing and was wondering were I should inject them. I believe it's anywhere under the skin.

 

[Pistonbroke]

Not on any product sheets but everyone I know does them right hand side between last rib and back leg. Easy to pull skin away to make a tent and less chance of hitting muscle.

 

[Nithsdale]

I've always done any sub-cut injection into the loose skin just behind the shoulder. A lot easier and quicker than the neck IMO with no issues

 

[Agrivator]

Not on any product sheets but everyone I know does them right hand side between last rib and back leg. Easy to pull skin away to make a tent and less chance of hitting muscle.

Exactly. It also has less chance of hitting a blood vessel. But in addition, change the needle as soon as you suspect the point has been damaged in the slightest way. A ''barbed'' point will make it harder to insert the needle, and cause tissue damage on withdrawal. leading to a greater risk of infection.

Keep the needle clean, change it often (about every 20 ewes at least), and you won't need to bother with antiseptics.

And if you try to inject into the neck, there is more chance that you will inject yourself with dire consequences.

 

[Breckland Boy]

Always did the ovivac/ heptivac behind the shoulder.
Used to do thousands each year with no problems.
Needle been in my finger a few times too

 

[Breckland Boy]

View attachment 938845
you guys kill me

Do those gloves stop the needle going in your finger?

 

[Pistonbroke]

It doesn't take much of a flinch to hit muscle in the neck. No clamp or assistant here and do couple of thousand jabs. Never seen an abscess yet. Seen plenty on the neck though

 

[Longlowdog]

I understood best practise was for all injections to be into or around the neck on the basis that any abscess formed would do so around the lowest value cuts rather than the highest value ones.

 

[Nithsdale]

I understood best practise was for all injections to be into or around the neck on the basis that any abscess formed would do so around the lowest value cuts rather than the highest value ones.

Maybe in lambs, but IMO it's a low priority in a commercial ewe who's primary role is to live to a decent age and breed

 

[Breckland Boy]

go fu.ck yourself turd face

Needle gone in deep enough to catch a nerve?

 

[Six Dogs]

As I’m usually pre lamb crutching through the Combi clamp I do mine just above the tail head loose skin there and so easy to see with no wool!

 

[Bury the Trash]

I understood best practise was for all injections to be into or around the neck on the basis that any abscess formed would do so around the lowest value cuts rather than the highest value ones.

Yes, that's exactly why.

 

[Bury the Trash]

My sheep are coming in in the next few weeks for their heptavac injection before lambing and was wondering were I should inject them. I believe it's anywhere under the skin.

No not just anywhere. That's what brings on Farm assurance schemes

get someone to help or use a clamp to prevent the sheep jumping up or throwing their head up as the needle goes in as they commonly do....

 

[neilo]

It doesn't take much of a flinch to hit muscle in the neck. No clamp or assistant here and do couple of thousand jabs. Never seen an abscess yet. Seen plenty on the neck though

I always do them there too. You'd be hard pressed to stick the needle in any muscle if you jab behind the last rib and in front of the leg, let alone in a cut of meat worth anything.

I guess if lamb prices doubled, we could all afford to have a second person handy to hold the sheep, as in the picture @Bury the Trash posted above? But no, I'd still do them where I always have, as it's never been a problem with abcesses, and you can accurately inject a lot of sheep subcutaneously, quickly and efficiently.

 

[CopperBeech]

Always done it in the scruff, have done thousands upon thousands with no issue.

Also personally don’t buy the whole injection site condemnation thing. Everyone says it because it’s what they learnt in college.

Ive jabbed a lot of lambs over the years for various things, at straight into back leg muscle, shock horror........ have sent tens of thousands dead weight and never had anything condemned for an injection site.

 

[Agrivator]

No not just anywhere. That's what brings on Farm assurance schemes

View attachment 938868


get someone to help or use a clamp to prevent the sheep jumping up or throwing their head up as the needle goes in as they commonly do....

Having someone hold the ewe and expose their hands like that, is just asking for trouble. Humans react very badly to being injected.

 

[primmiemoo]

Having someone hold the ewe and expose their hands like that, is just asking for trouble. Humans react very badly to being injected.

It's what we've done for umpty years, now. True, it is a luxury to have two operatives to a sheep.

The only time I have had a needle stick was when working alone to a tight schedule. Fortunately the vaccinator was fitted with a needle guard and sterilising pad, and nothing untoward happened other than soreness.
I took the Heptavac info sheet with me to college next day, in case of further reaction.

 

[Bury the Trash]

My sheep are coming in in the next few weeks for their heptavac injection before lambing and was wondering were I should inject them. I believe it's anywhere under the skin.

From the Heptavac label.

Dosage & Administration

• Sheep of all ages: 2 ml per injection by subcutaneous injection in the lateral side of the upper neck observing aseptic precautions.
• 
  

• My sheep are coming in in the next few weeks for their heptavac injection before lambing and was wondering were I should inject them. I believe it's anywhere under the skin.

  If you aren't confident best to get someone else experienced to come and give you a hand / watch over ......and give some guidance.

Its not easy vaccinating in a race , particularly for the inexperienced, a simple clamp makes the job so much better for accuracy of placement. which is very important for the Vaccine to be effective.
If there is someone to restrain the sheep they must be good at it as well, holding firmly but not in the process pulling the skin tight so as to make it harder for the person vaccinating to get the necessary loose skin to get the needle just under iyswim.

Happy days.

 

[JPB]

Similar issue but for cattle, where would be the best site be for bravoxin? Could I do that on the ribs? I've previously done in the neck but get so many lumps it looks unsightly.

 

[neilo]

From the Heptavac label.

Dosage & Administration

• Sheep of all ages: 2 ml per injection by subcutaneous injection in the lateral side of the upper neck observing aseptic precautions.
• 
  
• 
  If you aren't confident best to get someone else experienced to come and give you a hand / watch over ......and give some guidance.

Its not easy vaccinating in a race , particularly for the inexperienced, a simple clamp makes the job so much better for accuracy of placement. which is very important for the Vaccine to be effective.
If there is someone to restrain the sheep they must be good at it as well, holding firmly but not in the process pulling the skin tight so as to make it harder for the person vaccinating to get the necessary loose skin to get the needle just under iyswim.

Happy days.

I jabbed 460 ewes (x2) using my CombiClamp last Monday. I locked the front one in the clamp, then jabbed the dozen in the lead-up race behind.

Clamp was useful for holding each one to bolus and for drafting out triplets & barrens though.