Name ___________________
Period _________
Proper Injections Lab
Procedure:
1. Divide into your assigned group
2. Group A will begin at station 1 and each person will demonstrate mastery in giving
shots. Group B begins at station 2, etc.
3. Each group will get a chance to practice using a syringe and needle
4. If your group is not with the teacher doing the practice, you are to be reading and
working on your packet (attached). It is due at the end of class.
Supplies Needed:
 4 Oranges
 4 medicine containers filled with water
 4 Syringes with needles
Procedure for IM injections:
1. Prepare the syringe and needle making sure the needle is clean as well as straight.
 By placing an already-used needle into a medication, you run the risk of
contaminating the medicine and weakening or destroying its ability to fight
pathogens.
 Using the same needle on more than one animal may spread diseases
 Bent needles tend to break off easily and can break off when giving the shot.
The needles can stay in the meat the rest of the animal’s life causing
infections. Needles have even ended up on consumer’s dinner plates.
2. Shake the vaccine, medicine, etc jar to make it one consistent product.
3. Tip the medicine up side down using one hand
4. Place the syringe in the center hole (the rubber part) with the other hand
5. Slowly fill the syringe to desired quantity by pulling out on the plunger making sure
to avoid any air bubbles in the syringe. If air bubbles do occur, push the plunger in
squirting liquid back into the jar until the air bubbles disappear.
 Air bubbles in IV and IP injections can cause death to the animal.
6. Tip the jar right side up and pull the syringe out
7. Find the location in which you want to insert the needle, touch the animal with your
hand in that location, slowly remove hand and carefully insert the needle.
 Be sure to hold the syringe securely because animals will jump or jerk when
poked with the needle.
8. When the needle is in all the way, depress the syringe lever so that all the liquid is
dispensed.
 Not giving the animal a full dose can cause more sickness by allowing the
bacteria to become resistant to the medicine or vaccine
9. Pull the needle out and replace needle.
 Needles should be disposed of in a plastic container that is clearly marked
“NEEDLES” so that nobody mistakes them for garbage and cuts themselves.
Giving Proper Injections
Medications are commonly given to cattle as part of regular husbandry practices to improve
health, control disease or increase productivity. Medications may be given by injection, by
mouth (orally) or through the skin as a pour-on (topically). Injections are commonly given into
the muscle (intramuscularly, or IM), under the skin (subcutaneously, or SC) or into the
bloodstream (intravenously, or IV).
Medications are administered to cattle by injection for a variety of reasons. For example,
vaccines (biologicals) are injected to prevent disease, and antibiotics or anthelmintics may be
injected to treat bacterial or parasitic infections, respectively. Other medications may be given
by injection for supportive medical care, to relieve pain or to enhance production. Injection
may be the best, or the only, route of administration for a particular medication. When there is
a choice to inject or use another route of administration, the decision to use injectables may be
based on cost, ease of administration, effectiveness, accuracy and reliability or other
considerations related to the activity of the product.
Risks Related to Injecting Medicines
Decisions to use injectable medications in cattle should be made after giving careful
consideration to the benefits and the risks of the activity. The process of injecting cattle with
medications carries certain risks to the animal, the operator and the consumer, thus it is best to
seek the advice of a veterinarian.
Injecting medication presents several risks to the animal. Injections with multiple-use needles
can spread some diseases. Anaplasmosis and bovine leukosis are two notable diseases of cattle
that are spread through the use of common needles. Dirty, bent, broken or dull needles may
lead to injuries or infection at the site of injection. Adequate restraint of cattle prior to injection
is necessary to decrease the risk of injury to both the animal and humans.
You as the operator also assume certain risks while administering injectable medications. There
is risk of injury to yourself while handling and restraining the animal. You may be injured by the
animal, the equipment or by the interface of the two. Operators must be aware of the risk of
injury due to accidental self-injection of the medication. Financial loss related to carcass
damage following an injection, or due to losses related to medication withholding times and
lost opportunities for sales are additional risks.
The risks to the consumer following cattle injections come in the form of injection site
blemishes and the possibility that residues of the medication will remain in the final meat
product. All intramuscular injections reduce tenderness at the injection site and sometimes the
blemish is even less appealing.
The risks associated with giving injections cannot be completely eliminated. However, the risks
can be reduced by controlling certain factors (control points) related to the injection process.
The operator can both minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of injectable cattle
medications by understanding the control points in the injection process.
Where to give injections
The route that injectable medications are given influences how well the product works and the
fate of the product in the animal's system. The label on injectable products describes the
appropriate routes of administration. Do not deviate from the label recommendations without
the advice of a veterinarian. It is unlawful to administer any injectable product in any dosage or
by any means other than that stated on the label unless directed to do so by a veterinarian.
Penalties for breaking this law can spend time in jail and will pay huge fines.
The Injection Site. All over-the-counter (OTC) or veterinary prescribed (Rx) injectable
medications carry a label or prescription indicating the tissue location that the drug should be
deposited into. For producer administered products this will practically always be either
intramuscular (IM) meaning in the muscle or subcutaneous (SQ) meaning under the skin. For an
injectable drug to perform as intended, it must be placed in the prescribed tissue location.
The preferred site to administer IM injections in small pigs and large hogs is in the neck muscle
at a point just behind and below the ear. Large hogs may need to be restrained with a snout
cable or in a stall but small pigs may simply be held. The skin at the site should be pulled slightly
to one side and the needle placed through the skin and into the muscle. Once the proper dose
is placed in the muscle, the needle is extracted and the skin is released to the original position.
This helps to prevent back-flow of the medication from the injection site. Although it may be
tempting to use the large muscles of the ham area for IM injections, this is not advisable.
Physical damage or iron staining of the ham may cause trim losses or blemishes in this high
value pork cut.
Some injectable products are labeled for intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC) use. Use the
subcutaneous route of injection whenever that option is available to reduce the risk of injection
site lesions within the carcass. Intramuscular injections should given in the muscles of the neck
to avoid blemishes in more valuable carcass cuts, regardless of the age of the animal. Do not
give intramuscular injections in the rear leg or over the rump. Subcutaneous injections should
be administered in front of the shoulder. Figure 2 shows appropriate injection sites for cattle of
all ages.
How to give injections
Proper injection methods
require that the animal be
appropriately restrained to
avoid injury to either the animal
or the operator. What defines
appropriate restraint may
depend on the size of the
animal, the disposition of the
animal and the type of
injection. Appropriate restraint
means that the animal is held
well enough that the operator is
able to safely approach and
administer the medication, and Figure 2.
that the animal is not injured by Proper injection sites for subcutaneous or
intramuscular injections in cattle of all ages.
the restraint or the injection.
Anticipate how the animal
could respond to an injection and assure yourself that the animal's reaction to the injection will
not lead to injury to yourself or to others. Do not place yourself at needless risk of injury for the
sake of an injection. If you cannot give the medication safely, don't give it.
The volume of drug administered at an injection site depends not only on the dosage of the
medication but also on the route of administration and the maximum volume recommended
per site. Always follow the label recommendations for dosage and volume per injection site
unless directed to do otherwise by your veterinarian. Do not exceed 10 cc (cubic centimeter or
milliliters) at any intramuscular injection site.
Needle Selection. Needle selection criteria center primarily on the appropriate diameter and
length of hypodermic needle needed for each injection situation. Needle diameter is measured
using a standard "gauge" scale. Lower gauge numbers refer to larger needle diameters. For
example, a 14-gauge needle is considerably larger in diameter than a 20-gauge needle.
Generally, it is recommended that the smallest needle diameter be used that will effectively
discharge the drug to be administered. Thicker, more viscous medications will require a larger
diameter needle than thinner, free flowing solutions. Also, the size and age of the pigs being
injected will influence the gauge of needle needed, with younger smaller pigs requiring smaller
needles than older, larger animals.
The needle length selected should be just long enough to reach the intended drug deposition
site when the needle is fully inserted. Using needles that are longer than necessary increases
the chance of injury to the pig and increases the possibility of bending or breaking the needle.
Needles used for subcutaneous injection should be 1 inch or less in length for any age animal.
The following Table lists National Pork Producer Council guidelines on the recommended
needle gauge and length for giving IM and SQ injections to pigs of various sizes.
Recommended Needle Sizes and Lengths for Swine*
Intramuscular (IM)
Type of Pig
Subcutaneous (SQ)
Needle Gauge Needle Length Needle Gauge Needle Length
Baby pigs
18 or 20
5/8" or 1/2"
--
--
Nursery pigs
16 or 18
3/4" or 5/8"
16 or 18
1/2"
Finishing pigs
16
1"
16
3/4"
Breeding stock
14 or 16
1" or 1 1/2"
14 or 16
1"
*Source: NPPC Pork Quality Assurance Guidelines
Avoiding Use of Damaged Needles. High quality disposable needles are the products of choice
for routine on-farm injections. These are readily available from veterinary or livestock supply
companies. Disposable needles can be used with inexpensive disposable syringes or
sophisticated repeating syringes. Under all circumstances any needle used should be "razor"
sharp and free of any physical damage. Sharp needles are easier to insert, minimize pain
experienced by the pig and produce little or no tissue damage. Needles that have become dull
due to extended use or physical damage should be replaced with a fresh, sharp needle.
As with dull needles, any needle with a bent or broken shaft should be removed from the
syringe, discarded and replaced with a fresh needle. Under no circumstance should a needle
that has become bent be re-straightened and used. Needles that have been bent and restraightened have a weakened point along the shaft and are likely to break. This creates the risk
of the needle shaft breaking off and remaining in the pig's tissue at the injection site. Although
the occurrence of this is rare, it does happen. As a result, there have been reports of retail
consumers of pork products that have found or even bitten into broken needles when eating
pork. Again, the occurrence of this is very rare, but when it happens, it causes a safety hazard
for the consumer. Furthermore, such an occurrence is extremely detrimental to the public
perception of pork as a healthy, quality assured product.
Use only needles with aluminum hubs because they are less likely to break during injections. Do
not use needles with plastic hubs. Needles that break off and remain in the animal must be
removed; surgery is often required. Contact your veterinarian if assistance is needed to remove
a broken needle. Do not let an animal with a broken needle enter the food chain. To prevent
needle breakage use proper animal restraint and do not try to straighten or reuse bent needles.
When administering an injection, clean, sharp needles should be rapidly placed into the site,
the dose administered, and the needle quickly removed. Some medications must not be placed
directly into the bloodstream, and it may be necessary to draw back on the syringe and observe
for blood before beginning an intramuscular injection. Subcutaneous injections should be given
at the base of a "tented" fold of loose skin lifted away from the animal with your free hand. This
"tenting method" minimizes the risk of injecting into muscle.
Preventing Abscesses at Injection Sites. Abscesses are localized sites of infection in the tissues
of pigs. They may be located near the surface of the body or in tissues deep within the body.
Abscesses near the surface may be seen as an extended or swollen mass of tissue. When
palpated, an accumulation of fluid within the cavity of the abscess may be detected. This
accumulated fluid, commonly referred to as "pus", results from an immune reaction in
response to foreign matter or infectious bacteria within the abscess site. In addition to being a
direct health risk to the pig, abscesses have a direct negative impact on pork quality assurance.
At pork processing plants, abscesses must be completely trimmed from the hog carcass and
discarded as trim loss before the carcass can pass inspection and be further processed. If
abscesses are extensive, significant portions of the carcass must be trimmed and discarded or
perhaps the entire carcass may be condemned.
The most common way that injection practices can contribute to the occurrence of abscesses is
through the use of dirty needles and other unsanitary injection practices. Only clean needles
should be used for injection purposes. Between injections, the syringe and needle should not
be placed on dirty surfaces. Instead, a clean pan or tray lined with fresh paper towels should be
prepared for syringe and needle storage during injection procedure. The protective plastic
shield that covers all new disposable needles may also be replaced over the needle when not in
use. When in doubt about the cleanliness of a needle, it may be swiped with alcohol using
absorbent paper or cotton. However, alcohol should not be drawn into the interior of the
injection needle as it may affect the potency of vaccines or antibiotic drugs.
The injection site should be inspected before inserting the needle. If the site is dirty or damp, it
should be swiped clean and dry before injection. When the site is dirty, the injection needle
may carry contaminants and bacteria from the skin into the tissue, increasing the risk of abscess
formation. Steps should also be taken to avoid contamination of medication vials. When
reloading a syringe from a multi-dose vial, a separate needle should be used to pass into the
rubber vial stopper than the one used to inject the pigs.
The number of pigs treated before changing to a fresh needle is a judgement call for producers
and herdsmen. If the needle and injection sites are clean, multiple sets of pigs may be treated
with the same needle. However, under dirty conditions, frequent changes to a fresh, sterile
needle is advisable. When processing baby pigs, a good practice is to change needles between
each litter. With cattle, Needles are often used in more than one animal to save time and
money. This practice is most common when multiple dose syringes are used. When needles are
used in more than one animal the risk of injection site blemishes increases, as does the risk of
transmitting diseases. When more than one animal will receive an injection from the same
needle, the decision to change needles should be based on needle contamination, damage or
dullness. No more than 10 animals should be injected with the same needle. When multiple
animals are being processed it may be useful to keep syringes with "backup" doses drawn up to
avoid the temptation to use a contaminated, bent or dull needle. This gives the operator time
to change needles or redraw an automatic syringe.
Meeting Withdrawal Times. Many injectable medications, especially those containing an
antibiotic as the active ingredient, have a required pre-slaughter clearance time requirement.
These pre-slaughter withdrawal periods are specific for each product and are established to
insure that all potential drug residues are cleared from the pig before it is slaughtered and
processed into pork. For example, pigs treated with an injection of tylosin antibiotic must not
be shipped for slaughter within 14 days of the last injection. Accurate records of the type of
medications used, when they are administered and identification of the pigs treated are
essential to assure that pre-slaughter withdrawal times are met on hog farms.
Sanitation and product quality
The risk of infected injection sites can be reduced by maintaining clean working conditions and
equipment. The surfaces of tables and restraint equipment should be kept free of dust,
moisture and manure. After use, syringes can be disinfected by disassembling and washing with
hot soapy water, rinsing with alcohol and drying before reassembly. Soaps, alcohol and other
disinfectants will cause live or modified-live vaccines to become inactive. Syringes used for live
or modified-live vaccines should be sterilized using either moist or dry heat. If it is necessary to
rinse out a syringe during use, then draw sterile saline or sterile water into and out of the
syringe several times.
The effectiveness of the injectable product depends on how carefully the product is handled
after purchase. When medication is not being used it should be stored in a clean, closed
location at an appropriate storage temperature. Keep medications labeled and discard out-ofdate items. Contamination can be avoided during use if the rubber bottle stopper is wiped
clean before inserting the needle. Special care is required to avoid contamination of the
product in multiple dose vials; insert a new clean needle into the rubber stopper and use that
as a transfer needle to fill syringes rather than repeatedly inserting needles that have been
injected into the animal. Assure that the product remains at the appropriate temperature
during use. Protect modified-live vaccines from ultraviolet light (including direct sunlight), heat
and freezing. Keep vaccines on ice packs within coolers until used. Protect all products from
extreme heat or freezing. A light bulb or other heat source can be wired into a cooler to provide
a warm chute-side container for medication during cold weather.
Conclusion
The decision to administer injectable medications should be made after comparing the benefits
and the risks of doing so. Your veterinarian is the best source of advice on maximizing the
benefits of treatment and reducing the risk of problems. Remember:




All intramuscular injections reduce meat tenderness at the injection site;
Give intramuscular injections only in the neck muscles. Never give an intramuscular
injection in the rear leg or rump regardless of the animal's age or use;
Use only injectable products that meet Beef Quality Assurance guidelines;
Use subcutaneous products whenever possible and avoid injectable medications that
are irritating to tissues.
When used correctly, medications improve animal health and well-being, increase profitability
and provide the consumer with a higher quality food product.
Directions: After reading the handout, answer the following questions. Some of the answers
you will not find in the reading and must use judgment from what you learned in the reading to
apply to other real-life situations.
1. List two (2) reasons why medications are given to animals.
2. List three (3) ways to medicate cattle.
3. What is the purpose of giving a vaccine?
4. Explain the risks to humans when injecting medication.
5. Explain the risks to animals when injecting medication.
6. What is the problem of using the same needle to medicate two dogs?
7. As a consumer of meat, what are two (2) concerns you should have about the meat you
eat in relation to medicating animals?
8. How are needles measured (give the name of measurement i.e. inches, feet, etc.)?
9. What two (2) things determine the size of needle you need to use?
10. List some (at least 2) ways that you can keep medicine fresh and effective for the next
use.
Using the following information, Answer questions 11-16:
Scenario: Your animal is very sick and the label directions on the medicine tells you the
maximum amount to give is 15cc. Your friend told you he administered 20cc and the animal
was cured twice as fast. The medication states that you must administer it by means of IM.
11. How many cc’s of medicine will you give your animal?
12. Could anything happen if you give your animal more than 15ccs?
13. Where on the animal will you give the medication?
14. How will you administer the medication to the animal?
15. How many total ‘shots’ will you give the animal to complete the full dose of medicine if
you will give it the full dose of 15cc? Explain why.
16. If your animal is a lamb, what area of the body will you avoid giving the shot? Why?
Using the following information, Answer questions 17-22:
Scenario: You manage a dog kennel where you must give many animals vaccines on a regular
basis. The dogs must be completely off of medication before they can be sent home with an
owner. All dogs are Labrador retrievers (average 50 lbs) that you will be
medicating/vaccinating.
17. How will you know if a dog is ok to be sent home?
18. What kind of system will you have in place to track animals that have been medicated?
19. Explain how you will medicate all the different dogs (explain how many times you will
use a needle and how will you draw medicine from the jar)
20. What size of needle will you use on the Labrador dogs?
21. Dogs in kennels often get a respiratory infection called Kennel Cough and must be
treated with a series of medication that takes several days. If one of your lab dogs gets
kennel cough and a person wants to take the dog home that same day what will you do?
22. In the kennel area you have a container with this symbol on it. What is the purpose of it
and what material is the container most likely made of?