By Nick Wagner, DVM, Professional Services Veterinarian, Neogen®
When selecting needles to vaccinate or treat cattle, there are several factors to consider in order to make the right decisions for overall herd health and best management practices.
Selecting needles and syringes
First, when selecting a needle, determine the appropriate route of administration, whether it is subcutaneous (SQ) or intramuscular (IM) from reading the product label. Next, determine the weight of the animal, not only for proper dosage, but also for selection of the appropriate needle. The route of administration determines the length of the needle, while the size of the animal determines the gauge or diameter of the needle. Viscosity of the product is another factor in selection of the proper gauge. Lighter calves require a smaller diameter needle, whereas heavier stock require a larger diameter needle. It is important to note, as the number of the gauge increases, the diameter decreases. Reference to the following chart can help in deciding the needle gauge and length required:
There can be implications to selecting the wrong needle – these can include:
- If the needle is of the improper length, it will not enter the correct tissue and absorption of the product can be altered, resulting in failed efficacy.
- In the case of a young animal, if the needle is too long, there is potential to strike bone or a nerve.
When selecting a needle, you will want to select a sharp, durable, and detectable needle. It must be standard practice to avoid contaminated, burred, bent, or broken needles. To help combat the chances of a needle breaking, use a more durable, specialized stainless-steel needle with a thick-walled cannula. Detectable needles also offer producers an option that can be easily identified and found by the metal detection systems within beef processing plants. The only 100% detectable needle is made of a specialized, highly ferritic, stainless-steel alloy.
Producers must also consider the syringe with which to use the needles. When producers are using injectable products, their options include single-use, disposable, or multi-dose syringes that would either be a barrel refill, a bottle mount, or a line fed. With multi-dose syringes, implementation of an effective identification system to prevent product cross-contamination and selection of equipment with UV protective features are valuable considerations.
Proper care and use
Now that we have covered many of the basics, let us review best practices for producers as it relates to care and proper use.
Make sure your syringes are thoroughly cleaned before use. To clean syringes, use hot, deionized or distilled water that is 180˚F or greater. Do not use any soaps or disinfectants when cleaning syringes, as doing so could risk contamination and impact the internal contents and product efficacy. With regards to multi-dose syringes, you will want to lubricate the O-Rings in them. Never use any petroleum-based products, as those could cause problems with contamination. For storage, it is always best to store syringes in a clean, dry location.Before using multi-dose syringes, it is key to ensure they are properly calibrated. To accomplish this, you can set the syringe for a 2 mL dose, use water, and simply measure the output into another syringe, such as a disposable one. It is recommended that producers consistently check the calibration throughout processing.
One frequently asked question is, “How often should needles be changed or replaced?” If you are managing any blood-borne pathogens in your herd, such as anaplasmosis or bovine leukosis, it is best practice to replace the needle after every animal. If your herd is not affected by blood-borne diseases, you can use needles for up to 10 to 15 injections, with some newer technology needles providing durability for up to 20 injections. When using a multi-dose syringe, it is best practice to change the needle when you refill the syringe to maintain sharpness and prevent any accidental contamination. Change bent, burred, or dirty needles immediately.
Proper record-keeping for each individual animal is important as well.
If you follow these best practices, along with selecting a needle of the proper gauge and length, you will ensure safe and effective injections.
To learn more, visit neogen.com/d3x or contact your Neogen representative.
About Neogen
Neogen Corporation is committed to fueling a brighter future for global food security through the advancement of human and animal well-being. Harnessing the power of science and technology, Neogen has developed comprehensive solutions spanning the Food Safety, Livestock, and Pet Health & Wellness markets. A world leader in these fields, Neogen has a presence in over 140 countries with a dedicated network of scientists and technical experts focused on delivering optimized products and technology for its customers.
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