Q&A for How to Give Cattle Injections

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I give a tetanus shot to a calf?
    Community Answer
    Tetanus shots are usually given under the skin. The vaccine's package should have instructions that you can go over with your vet.
  • Question
    During an IM injection, mostly blood come out. What's the problem? My injection site is in the triangle.
    Karin
    Top Answerer
    It's obvious that you did an IV injection, rather than an IM. With an IM, very little to no blood should come into the syringe. You need to hit the muscle tissue of the neck, not the jugular vein/carotid artery.
  • Question
    What type of injection do I use for antibiotics for a dairy cow?
    Karin
    Top Answerer
    Most antibiotics will recommend using a sub-cutaneous (SubQ) injection technique. Please check the label of the drug before using just to make sure, because some may recommend intra-muscular (IM) over SubQ. Also check the recommendations for dairy cows, as not all antibiotics are suitable for cows that are lactating milk intended for human food consumption.
  • Question
    What antibiotics are safe to administer to pregnant livestock?
    Community Answer
    Please talk to your veterinarian about this. They will recommend the best antibiotics your cattle need based on what illness they are afflicted with.
  • Question
    How do I do intradermal injections?
    Karin
    Top Answerer
    It's much tougher to do than sub-cutaneous, because it requires more precision, a smaller needle, and a steady hand. It's much tougher do to in cattle than with humans, and even though it allows vaccines to be absorbed at a slower rate, it's generally not recommended for use in livestock. Contact a veterinarian for more information.
  • Question
    Is Banamine a subcutaneous (SQ) or an intramuscular (IM) injection?
    Community Answer
    In cattle, Banamine is labeled for intravenous use only. SQ or intramuscular injection of Banamine causes extended milk and meat residues and is an extra-label use not approved by the FDA for food producing cattle.
  • Question
    What is the cause of severe diarrhea in my 3-week-old calves? They just suddenly got weak, and their stool is white and almost liquid.
    Community Answer
    The mother's milk seems to be too rich for the young calves, causing diarrhea. Do not feed the cow any meal with fortified nutrients, as it makes the milk too strong. Instead, only feed it dry matter - silage/hay.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article