Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
approximately 6 to 8 minutes for alcohol to kill common disease-causing
germs. The alcohol swab mechanically removes the majority of the skin bac-
teria contained in the body oils. Simple wetting of the skin with alcohol or
most other disinfectants merely puts bacteria in the solution where they can
be more readily picked up by the needle and carried into the injection site.
Paula's veterinarian says that injections placed in dry, “clean” skin (that is,
free from excessive grease, manure, and so on) result in fewer injection-site
contaminations.
For the same reason, you should avoid, if at all possible, injecting wet sheep.
Routine vaccinations should always be scheduled when the weather is dry.
Protect drugs from freezing and from heat. Many medicines require tem-
peratures above freezing and below 50°F (10°C). Read the label on each medi-
cation for storage directions. Many antibiotics require refrigeration. Check
the expiration date on the package.
Read the dosage instructions carefully and follow them, or use the medica-
tion according to the advice of your veterinarian. On some drugs, there is not
much leeway between the effective dose and the overdose that could be fatal
or harmful.
Subcutaneous Injection
The medication should usually be at body temperature, especially with young
lambs (see box and illustration on next page). It can be given in the neck, but
the preferred place is in the loose, hairless skin behind and below the armpit
(axillary space) to the rear of the elbow, over the chest wall. Be careful not
to inject into the armpit — this can happen if the injection is made too far
forward. The armpit is actually a large cavity underlying the entire shoulder
blade area, crossed by the major artery, vein, and nerves that serve the front
leg. Some vaccines are highly irritating and if injected into the axillary space,
could cause a severe reaction and lameness.
A dose of more than 10 mL is best distributed among several sites instead
of all in one place (use an even lower cutoff for lambs).
Do not inject near a joint or in areas with more than a small amount of fat
under the skin. With this type of injection, veins are usually not a problem,
but if you want to make sure you are not in a vein, the plunger can be pulled
out very slightly before injecting. If it draws out blood, try another spot.
Medication for subcutaneous use should never be injected into a muscle.
