Injections made simpler and safer with seven easy steps

Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out in the world of farming, keep your pig’s health, your profit, and your brand reputation safe with these best practices for administering injections.

Piglets, weaners, fatteners, gilts, sows, and boars will need vaccinations at some point during their life and even though it can be rare, it’s important that the industry works together to prevent needle breakage and:

• Protect farmers, packers and consumers
• Make processes simpler and safer
• Reduce the risk of condemned meat
• Maintain animal health

Opt for detectable needles

Progressive farms, in countries such as Denmark, are opting for the use of detectable needles over single-use stainless steel needles to not only uphold high food standards but for the ultimate protection against broken needles.

Comprehensive tests and research conducted by Steven J. Hoff PhD., P.E. at Iowa State University in the Detection Testing of the Ideal D3 Needles¹ report, concluded that the Ideal D3 Needle is detectable every time within the controlled experiments using the 18 gage and 16 gage needles.

Metal pieces can move within a matter of weeks from the injection site to any part of the body.

A detectable needle allows farmers and vets to work in confidence every time knowing that a broken needle can be found easily in state-of-the-art metal detectors.

Sign up for a free trial of detectable needles.

Always discard bent needles

A rule which goes without saying. Even though it may be tempting to straighten a bent needle or re-use it, it’s important to discard immediately.

Administering injections should be done as painlessly as possible while ensuring that the needle won’t break.

A bent needle is a hazard to farmers, producers, and consumers, increasing the risk of the needle breaking and condemned meat.

Invest in a robust needle to save on costs and for effortless application.

© Neogen

Maintain proper technique

Keeping up to date on the latest guidelines can ensure that vaccines are administered correctly and help you stay safer.

Things to do:

• Keep thorough records of all injections
• Change needles before they become dull to reduce burring and always follow the vet’s guidance
• Invest in a detectable, durable and dependable needle (remember to sign up to receive a complimentary trial of the Ideal D3 Needle here)
• Watch the below video for top tips for detectable needle use

“It’s important to use detectable needles even within our smallest animals as there’s been some research reports of needles being found in animals at harvest even though those needles were used in the nursery stage” Dr Seth Krantz, pig vet for Tosh Pork

References

¹ Hoff, Steven. F PH.D., P.E (2002) ‘Detection Testing Of The Ideal D3 Needles’ Report