madbeancounter1":1x0mugc0 said:
Thanks,
Got the job done. I put the halter on her, tied her to the fence and squeezed her between it and me and fence.
Vet left me a big 60cc syringe of the stuff... unfortunately the needle came off the syringe and about 2 cc's leaked out in the bag before I got to it and I lost a little bit more when I tented the skin and accidently put the needle in one side and out the other. So I actually ended up giving her only 20cc's. Ten on each side.
I felt pretty awkward using such a big syringe and long needle. I should have looked at the case but it was pretty large bore and about an inch long. What do you all suggest for the next time I have to do this?
MBC1
If you recall we had this discussion before - a part of it goes like this:
Fresh needle on a regular basis - keeps the point sharp and prevents dragging in hair and dirt. Also prevents passing certain little germs from one animal to another. These are the biggest causes of problems in my opinion.
When you stick the animal in the neck, do not "tent" the skin.
Smack the needle area a couple of times hard with the back of your hand - numbs the sight and prevents them from jumping around.
Point the needle directly towards the ground - holding it like you are about to stab something with a knife in your fist - run your hand out and into the side of the animals neck and stab downward - almost parallel to the neck surface. Needle goes in under the skin and does not enter the meat. Ram the vaccine home with your thumb - unless you are using a gun which I doubt. That's another story.
Needle length should not exceed one inch - prevents bending and breakage. Stainless steel only please - stronger needle - but can be brittle. Plenty long enough to do the job.
Tenting of the skin is:
1. Potentially dangerous - easy to stick yourself.
2. Potentially lethal - you stick yourself with some things - YOU DIE.
3. Potentially wasteful - throwing it out the animal - through two layers of skin and onto the ground.
4. Potential needle blockage - through one layer of skin and into the next layer - now yo have to back the needle off before you can inject.
Tenters who say they have never had some of these issues are probably far better at injections than I am - but if they get down and truthful, they will admit to it. I know - got that T-shirt.
You did number 3.
You also ask about injections and what to use - 3/4 for Sub-Q is plenty - one inch is ok - more is potential loss of bent or broken needle inside animal. 20 bore for everything on this farm.
Using my method, you will never feel awkward with a large syringe - it naturally fits in your hand.
I like everyone who comes here to try it - fast / safe / effective.
All you tenters give it a try - I think you will like it.
One final thought - grab some 2 x 4 / 6 lumber - build 2 small gates and one rectangle about one foot wide and the same height as the gates. Put a hinge on them and hook them together - now the two gates are self supporting and open / close like an expanding and contracting "V". Use a rope to tie it closed at the back.
You now have a mini portable squeeze for the calves in your pen. Cheap to build - use scrap wood - works well when you are short a pair of hands.
Bez'
If I have to give her three injections how far apart do they need to be spaced or is there a way around this?
