Need help giving shots

Callieslamb · #1 12/03/10, 08:39 AM

From time to time, I have to give my cow a shot. Specifically this time - to get her to come into heat to be bred. I woke up at 3 am from a nightmare knowing I had to give her that last shot today. I couldn't get back to sleep. I have given a LOT of shots in my life. Evidently, I have either forgotten how or have an especially sensitive cow. As a kid, we just stuck them in and was done. But the cows were contained in milking stanchions - front/back and sides.

My AI guy said to pound her on the leg in rhythm -1, 2, 3 and in place of 4 stick her and she won't feel a thing. Hum.....well, that isn't working for me. I have to tie her for shots - not for milking. I pound, she lunges, the needle bends and we get to do it again. Today, when our little session was over - she kicked me. Just did a nice little side swipe and told me what she thought of me. I really couldn't blam her. I didn't tie her short enough and she was all over the place. I think she hates me. I am sure with a bucket of grain she will get over it. However, I am not sure that I will. I don't like the worry and lost sleep over something so simple.

I am doing IM. 20 guage needle 1.5 inches long. How do you recommend doing it? Any old time hints....in case I ever get up the courage to do it again. (now to go dehorn those calves......arg!!!!! some parts of farming I just do NOT like).

springvalley · #2 12/03/10, 08:59 AM

Callie, you poor thing,lost sleep over a shot. I give my cows shots in the neck most of the time, when and if I need to. In the meaty part just in front of the legs, just tie your cow short, and getter done. They can`t kick you up there either. Good luck. > Marc

Callieslamb · #3 12/03/10, 09:39 AM

hehe...I never though of the neck for not getting kicked. Never seen a shot given there either. Well, hopefully it will be along time until I have to try it out. Is my needle size okay? Can it hurt more if you aren't going in straight or if you are?

Dehorning went okay - I am not sure the calves would agree. They rubbed their duct tape off twice so we'll see if it works.

Bret · #4 12/03/10, 11:58 AM

My vet taught me to tap the area of the shot also. I put my hand in the recommended triagle ahead of the shoulders where the shot will go to let the animal know I am there, and I also talk so as not to surprise. I tap twice, and on three, the shot goes in.

You are doing fine.

Callieslamb · #5 12/03/10, 01:11 PM

thanks. I really need the help to gain some confidence. I always get the job done but my cow depends on me to take care of her. Not to hurt her.

TK04 · #6 12/03/10, 02:02 PM

We tried the pounding thing at the beginning. What works for us, horses and cattle, is like Bret said, not pounding, but tapping. They completely tensed up when we started pounding, go figure. With the tapping, they are not tense but know we are there and don't jump from the surprise.

springvalley · #7 12/03/10, 02:27 PM

Well Callie, you know you can always move here and I will gladly help you. Yes I agree with the tapping instead of pounding. I almost always give shots in the shoulders, with most things, don`t like being kicked myself. > Thanks Marc

SuperDog · #8 12/03/10, 02:51 PM

You made the comment that the needle bent. What I learned awhile back that helped me was... When you stick the needle in, let go. In other words, stick it in kinda like a dart, except don't let go until its all the way in, then let go. When they stop moving, then press the plunger down. Lets the animal calm down, then quickly push down the plunger, pull it out and you are done. I personally hate getting shots, so giving then is hard on me too.

oneokie · #9 12/03/10, 02:54 PM

20 gauge needle is small for IM shots.

Do you have a larger needle? 16 or 14 ga.?

lasergrl · #10 12/03/10, 03:42 PM

http://www.cheappetproducts.net/Teru...W-P122587.html

I use these, 21 guage. That way you can jag them and they have room to jump around. You attach the syringe to the end of the tube. My cows are very hard to inject also. They are dramatic even with 25 guage needles.

Tom in TN · #11 12/03/10, 04:49 PM

Callieslamb,

I vaccinate my herd every year (around 50 head). I give four different injections to each cow, mostly sub-cutaneous, but some intra-muscular. I can't even imagine trying to inject a cow that isn't in a head-catch!

I use #18 needles and use new needles on each cow. I do two injections with the same needle and then change needles. It costs more for needles, but a dull needle just doesn't work well.

I also do all injections in the magic triangle in the neck.

Good luck. You would do very well to install a head-catch.

Tom in TN

MARYDVM · #12 12/03/10, 10:17 PM

Your needle is too long. When giving an I.M. injection you want to drive the needle in to the hub so it can't bend. 1 inch 18 or 20 guage will work. 16 guage is better for thick liquids like PennG. 14 guage is for IVs.

For a jumpy animal, you can pop the needle in, wait for her to settle and then attach syringe and inject. If she's really worked up by your previous attempts, have someone tail her up, or put the nose leads in to secure her head.

Callieslamb · #13 12/03/10, 10:20 PM

Thanks all. Marc - I think you need to move here - the lake is closer to me for those inbetween milking times. Sell that expensive Illinois land and buy some cheap Michigan land.....

I can't imagine using a BIGGER needle. The 20 guage hurts enough. I have 14, 16, & 18's....in all kinds of lengths. DH thinks I am collecting them. I only use a needle once since I don't give that many shots. Well when my calf was sick, I gave him a series of shots and I used the same needle on him for all 5 of them. New needle in the bottle differnt one in the calf. The vet gave me a 14 guage 2 inch long one with the antibiotics. I swear I could lace leather in the hole that thing would leave behind.

Explain magic triangle.....

Head gate? Funny, I've been thinking the very same thing - all day! Like minds, huh? I think if I could tie a better knot...it would help greatly. The one I managed this morning let her back up and move sideways. I actually have a head gate...it has a special place against the wall on one side of the barn - so it's in the way of the faucet. She stands very well for milking - just free as a bird.....as long as her grain lasts.

If you all could have seen the look on her face today. Doctoring done, I unbuckled the collar to let her go outside - POP! That's when she kicked me. After it was ALL over. "Take that, you!" Then she walked out the door swinging her hips left and right.... I tell you, I almost laughed at her....but properly chastized her for her misbehavior, of course.

BlackWillowFarm · #14 12/03/10, 10:59 PM

LOL, Callie I can just see that look on her face. You meanie!

I can't offer much advice. I've done a few shots, not many and always did it in the thurl area. Tap, tap, tap, stick. Cow feels the prick, gives you dirty look, you look back, "What?" Cow looks at you like you're a sneaky person. You act innocent. Works for me.

Hope your bruise isn't too bad.

tinknal · #15 12/03/10, 11:13 PM

Callie, you ever brush a 4 year old girls hair? They give you the same look. Don't worry, they get over it faster than the kid does...........

Callieslamb · #16 12/04/10, 08:13 AM

No bruises. A side-swipe can't hurt too badly.

Shorter needle....innocent face. I can do that.

haypoint · #17 12/04/10, 02:24 PM

You have gotten lots of good advice. Magic Triangle is that flat area on the neck, away from the spine (one side of the triangle) away from the shoulder (another side) and the throat. Nice size landing field for injections. The first time you tap, her skin will crawl or she’ll flinch. After a few times, close together, she stops reacting and you dart the needle in. Give her a second, then inject.
Head gates are a great help, but costly, you decide.
I had done lots of injections on horses. First cow injection, the needle bounced right off. Note to self: Cow’s hide is a lot tougher than fat horses.
Also helps to handle your cow more often. Eventually, you may need her to hold still for you.