Best Practice Needling Tips from Zoetis Experts at Angus Expo

At the World Angus Forum, Zoetis representatives Tom Burke and Luke Wiggan shared their expert advice on needling cows and calves, emphasizing the importance of hygiene and proper technique to ensure reliable vaccination outcomes. They highlight the need to carefully read labels, store vaccination products correctly, and maintain sharp needles to minimize reaction sites. The experts also stress the importance of monitoring refrigerator temperatures, changing needles frequently, and vaccinating in a clean location to avoid mud and manure entering the injection site.

Key Takeaways:

• Carefully read the label on vaccination products to ensure compliance with strict protocols set by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.
• Store vaccination products in a refrigerator at a temperature of 2-8 degrees Celsius, and avoid exposing them to ultra violet light or freezing temperatures.
• Use clean and sharp needles to minimize reaction sites, and change them after 50-100 head to maintain a sharp leading edge.
• The best location to inject is in a triangular area between the head, neck, and throat, but ensure the area is clean of manure and do not vaccinate wet animals.
• Maintain the dosing gun in good working order by calibrating it with measured doses of 100 millimeters of water.

Statistics:

• 50-100 head: The recommended number of animals after which needles should be changed to maintain a sharp leading edge.
• 2-8 degrees Celsius: The critical temperature range for storing vaccination products in a refrigerator.
• 100 millimeters: The measured dose used to calibrate the dosing gun.

Sources:

• World Angus Forum: The event where Zoetis representatives Tom Burke and Luke Wiggan shared their expert advice on needling cows and calves.
• Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority: The regulatory body responsible for setting protocols for the use of veterinarian medicines.