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Section 5 - Steps to Decrease Losses from Injection Sites:

1. If you must inject a product, choose a product that can be given subcutaneously (Sub Q).  Using correct Sub Q injection techniques will avoid all contact with muscle.  Give the injection in the neck area, in front of the shoulder.  Do not give Sub Q injections in the elbow pocket, flank or over the rib cage.

2. If using a product that is not labeled for Sub Q use but is labeled for intramuscular (IM) injection, give the injection in the muscles of the neck.  Do not inject into the hind legs, hip, back, or shoulder.  Use of the neck muscles for IM injections will avoid producing injection site blemishes in the valuable cuts of meat from the top butt and round areas. Place all injections in front of the shoulder.

3. If possible, use products that have been shown to have lower tissue reaction.  There are product differences in this regard.  Ask your veterinarian about this.

4. Properly restrain the animal.  It is very difficult to give a proper injection without good restraint and adequate assistance.  Good restraint also increases safety to the animal and the people handling it.

5. Use a clean, sharp needle.  Worn or dull needles increase trauma.  Replace needles at regular intervals when working cattle, perhaps every time you refill the syringe.

6. Use the proper size needle.  (The following are some general recommendations.)  Consult your veterinarian.  The selection of needle size may depend on the product you are using.

7. Maintain sanitation.  Provide a clean table for a workspace to place syringes, needles, medicine, etc.  Choose a skin site for injection that is clean to avoid carrying bacteria into the injection site.  Injecting cattle during wet weather increases the potential for carrying a contaminant into the injection site.  During bad weather take extra care to see that the injection site is free of manure and dirt and that syringes and needles are clean and disinfected.

8. Follow the directions for the product you are using -- read the label or ask your veterinarian.  Some products have specific directions or warnings.  Avoid injecting an excessive volume of product at any one-injection site -- usually the product label will address this.  As a general rule, avoid injecting more than 10 cc (ml) at any injection site.

9. Establish a good herd health program, including appropriate vaccinations.  This will help prevent illness and losses later.  Keep in mind that (a) "more" is not necessarily better, even when it comes to vaccines, and (b) even an effective product can be ineffective or even damaging if applied improperly.  Work with your veterinarian to evaluate your program and make changes as needed.

10. Improperly placed implants will result in additional trim loss also.  Implants placed too close to the ear base or into tissue at the base of the ear can result in excess trim.  Improperly placed implants will place regulatory liability on the feedyard.

11. A sound educational effort directed toward  hospital and processing crews offers a great potential in helping eliminate these problems.

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