Ref Code: CAT38

Category

Teaching - 2

Research - 4

Objective

To administer the appropriate vaccine to prevent the occurrence of disease in a manner which will cause minimal pain to the animal.

Alternatives to animal use for teaching

Practice on wetsuit material or cowhide prior to use of live specimens.

Details of procedure

Stock may be restrained in a crush/headbail or race.

Vaccination of stock should be avoided if they are wet from rain.

Appropriate needle length and gauge should be used. Needles should be disinfected between injections and replaced as required.

Product label instructions should be followed.

Subcutaneous injections should be given on either side of the neck, just below and behind the ear, in keeping with Cattlecare Quality Assurance guidelines.

To avoid injection site residues and damage to prime cuts of meat, intramuscular injections should be administered into the neck. No more than 10mL should be administered intramuscularly into any one site.

Drugs, chemicals, or biological agents

Specific vaccine used. Use only vaccines recommended for cattle.

Impact of procedure on the wellbeing of animal(s)

Vaccination, carried out according to label directions, will prevent occurrence of disease.

Reuse and repeated use

Vaccination should only be carried out at the frequency specified on the label. If a ‘skills’ mob is used for student training purposes, stock should only be vaccinated once per week, and then only with sterile saline water.

Care of animal(s) during/after procedure

Normally not required.

Pain relief measures

Minimal pain is apparent if carried out as recommended.

Qualifications, experience or training necessary to perform this procedure

Demonstrator: Veterinarian or experienced cattleman. S4 drugs may only be administered under the direction of a registered veterinarian.

Students: Basic understanding of anatomy, familiarity with the technique using non-living material, familiarity with handling cattle.