By Markie Hageman
There are very specific areas on cattle that you can administer specific kinds of vaccinations or medication. This is important to know because a carcass can be damaged if shots are done incorrectly. There are three kinds of injections and each has its own purpose. Cattle should never get an injection near the back end of the body, as this can bruise and damage carcass quality. Here are basic instructions for injections in cattle, as always, be sure to consult someone more experienced if you have any questions.
- Subcutaneous- This injection is the most common. It is administered just beneath the surface area of the skin and is used for vaccinations or some deworming methods. A shorter needle is used and is pushed into the neck area at a slight angle. There is a wider area on the neck where these kinds of injections can be made, but most shots should be given below the spinal column following along the crest of the neck, but above the jugular furrow and in front of the shoulder.
- Intramuscular- this injection uses longer needles and should be administered in the same area as subcutaneous, but requires a straight up and down angle. You should insert the needle and syringe without medication, pull back to ensure no blood is drawn before giving medication. Intramuscular injections can cause damage to the carcass, creating a tough area in the meat, so if the label of the vaccination allows for a subcutaneous administration, then you should use that method.
- Intravenous- This is a method that should always be done by a licensed veterinarian. Do not attempt this on your own.
To become more familiar with injections, be sure to become Beef Quality Assurance qualified and don’t hesitate to ask for help.
