South
Florida
Beef -
Forage
Program
"Article of the Month"
July 2000
General Pharmaceutical Care and Handling
James Stice - Pasco County Extension Agent
Cattlemen spend a great deal of time and effort, not to mention money, to vaccinate and
work their cattle. Please take a few minutes and review the following guidelines to
prevent any problems and to insure that these products work to their full potential.
1. Purchase only federally licensed vaccines from a reliable source that is conscientious
about the ordering, timely receiving and shipping, and storing of vaccines that they are
going to sell you.
2. Purchase the proper vaccines for the cattle you are
vaccinating- consult your veterinarian and/or read the directions carefully.
3. Keep vaccines refrigerated at all times
(36 to 44 degrees F). Keep in an ice chest and out of the sun at the chute.
4. Mix only enough vaccine that will be used
in a timely period (less than 1 hour).
5. Reconstitute modified live virus (MLV)
vaccines with clean transfer needles.
6. Do not mix two different products
in the same syringe unless it is part of the package,
i.e. IBR / Leptospirosis vaccines.
7. Use only new needles to fill and refill syringes.
8. Consider using multidose disposable
syringes that automatically draw from the vaccine
vial, especially for modified live virus (MLV) vaccines. When using this method keep
the vial in use in a shroud or cover to insulate and protect from sunlight.
9. Use the proper needle gauge and
length. 16 ga. X ¾ or 1 inch for all subcutaneous
(subq) injections. Use 16
ga. X 1- inch needles for intramuscular (IM) injections in
young cattle. A 16 ga. X 1½ inch needle is used for
IM injections in adult cows and bulls. Always
use sharp needles - burrs take the hide, hair and debris resulting in
injection site infections and abscesses.
10. Use the proper injection site
as described by the product insert. Always use the subq
route of administration when a choice is given between subq and IM. All injections
are to be administered in the neck.
11. Syringe cleaning:
A. Don't use alcohol, disinfectants,
or detergents in syringes used for (MLV) vaccines.
B. Use lots of hot water as a rinse, dry on clean paper towels, and
store in a clean dry area.
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