Needle Size

[pweaver]

What size needle (length, gauge) do you use for cows?  Especially when synchronizing for breeding (Lute, GnRH).  We always use 18 gauge x 1 inch but wonder if 1 1/2 inch would be better.

 

[johnmetzger]

16Gx1" is my needle of choice. Injected on top of hip.

 

[chambero]

I've had vets tell me 1.5 inch is better for intramuscular route on cows.

 

[frostback]

1.5 for intramuscular shots for cows. 1 for sub Q. The gauge depends on the thickness of the shot.

 

[Till-Hill]

18 x 1.5"

 

[cowman 52]

I worked on one of the first ranches have an et program in Texas,  way farther back than I really care to think.  Flushing on a lutalyse heat was not done by any means, and a few other small things I have never forgot.  First one was never give hormone injections anywhere but in the stifle.  Muscle moves constantly and you are more apt to get the reaction desired.  I have seen some try to do the top of the hip, the shoulder, etc, but the same ones are always saying how their results were not up to expectation.

Can't prove it one way or the other, but 40 plus years tends to put a little validity to the thought.  20x 1 1/2

 

[Davidsonranch]

I use 20 x 1.5 The smaller gauge needle seems to help reduce the chances of meds leaking out like they sometimes do with bigger gauge needles.
I like to give shots on lower leg, half way between pin bone and the twist / udder. 

 

[pweaver]

When giving in the stifle or rear leg, do you have someone curl the cow's tail over her back to prevent kicking and knocking the syringe out of your hand or get kicked?  And isn't this going against Beef Quality Assurance techniques?  I've always been concerned about the injectable leaking out and that is why I'm thinking a longer needle to get it deposited deeper is better.  There's also hide and fat to go through before you get to the muscle.

 

[chambero]

Beef QA recommendations are really for calves that are headed to feedlots.  Cows in a synchronization program really aren't  part of the food cycle - at least not till they are too old to include.  By then they are hamburger anyway.  You also don't get the tissue damage from hormones that you do antibiotics and some vaccines

 

[Lucky_P]

No, chambero.
BQA guidelines are for all ages - not just calves headed for the feedlot.
From the BQA guideline documents:
"All products labeled for intra-muscular (IM) use shall be given in the neck region only (no exceptions, regardless of age)."

Virtually ALL cattle will potentially be eaten by someone, at some point at the end of their lives.  The BQA tenets have been established to decrease the incidence of lesions that might require trimming out - or induce consumer rejection of beef products.  It doesn't matter if you're breeding club calves or flushing that donor cow, you still need to follow the recommendations.

Synchronization drugs are just as well absorbed when injected in the neck as they are in the top of the hip, or in the stifle.  I hear folks trying to justify giving them there - 'It's closer to the ovaries.'  That's BULLCRAP.  Regardless of where you inject it, it's going to be absorbed into the bloodstream and go into the general circulation, where it's carried to the target organ.  An injection of GnRH or PgF2 in the top of the hip is no more effective than one given in the neck - but is a lot more likely to result in an abscess or other lesion.

 

[RyanChandler]

Anything smaller than a 20g and there are many solutions that will be very difficult to draw out. I've probably used more 18 gauge 1 inch than anything.

 

[OH Breeder]

Dependant on the viscosity of the fluid. Some antibiotics can be very viscous and like Karo syrup= use 16 g 1". Solutions that are thin and light 18g 1".

 

[HavinABlast]

Don't use anything less that 1 1/2 inch for hormone injections (and you always want the smallest gauge you can easily inject through) - you want a deep IM injection for proper absorbtion.  Also have to agree with Lucky_P on the beef QA guidelines.  Just cause 'that was what we have always done and it worked' doesn't mean it is the BEST thing to do!