VCP 411: Medicine Section

CHOOSING NEEDLES

• Use a sterile needle for each animal.
• Use single use disposable needles whenever possible. Reusing needles can transmit infections (such as Bovine Leukemia Virus) from animal to animal.
• Occasionally the same needle may be used for multiple injections (i.e., when giving many doses in a short period of time, such as with injectable worming products in feedlot cattle). If doing so change the needle frequently ( i.e. every 10 animals).
• Choose the smallest needle size (diameter) that is reasonable to use for the product type and volume to be injected.
• This will minimize tissue damage and reduce  leakage of the product from the injection site.
• Choose needles of the correct length for the type of injection you are giving and suitable for the size of animal being injected. Shorter needles (1.0 or 0.5 in.) can be used for subcutaneous injections; longer ones (1.5 in.) for intra-muscular injections. Smaller animals (i.e. calves) have smaller muscle masses and should be injected with needles of appropriate length to prevent injury to nerves and other tissues