UNP-0092 Injection Site Blemishes
Injection Site Blemishes
Meat goat producers can suffer significant financial losses
as a result of injection site blemishes. They may lose money on
animals sold to market because of defects in meat products.
The list below describes recommended practices that can reduce
or prevent blemish product losses. These are known as best management
practices (BMP), a component of meat quality assurance.
- Choose the correct injection site. Give injections
in one of two locations: (1) just behind the front shoulder,
along the rib cage; or (2) on the neck, in front of front shoulder,
down from the ear, and between the top and bottom of the neck
at the midpoint. Stay away from the hindquarters where the highest
value meat is located. (See photos)
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![](InjectNeckcut.jpg) |
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Injection site behind the front shoulder. |
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Injection site on the neck. |
- Stay away from muscle. When possible, use the subcutaneous
(under the skin) injection site method rather than the intramuscular
(in the muscle) method.
- Use the proper technique. Remove trapped air from
syringe and needle before inserting. Make sure the needle and
syringe are at an angle before inserting. Inserting the needle
at an angle may reduce tissue damage and injection blemishes.
- Use multiple injection sites. Never make multiple
injections in one site. Try to space injection sites apart by
one or more inches.
- Use the correct size needles. Use smaller needles
for subcutaneous shots. A 20-gauge, 3/4-inch needle is ideal
for most medicines.
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A 20-gauge, 3/4-inch needle. |
- Avoid using the same needle on different animals. Try
to use a new needle for each animal to prevent cross-contamination.
If you must recycle needles, sterilize them with rubbing alcohol
and make sure they do not become too dull. Use a hazardous waste
carton to dispose of dull needles. Remember that new needles
are inexpensive compared to the potential financial losses from
injection site blemishes.
- Keep equipment clean. Wash syringes with warm, soapy
water between uses. Rinse in cool water and allow them to dry
before reusing. Make sure increment measurements are still legible.
- Know the product and carefully follow label instructions.
Read all medicine labels to learn relevant information. This
information will include purpose of product, timing, safety issues,
expiration date, dosage, and withdrawal time. The metabolism
rate of goats is about five times faster than that of cattle.
Avoid giving animals excess medications. Misuse of medications
can compromise the effectiveness of medicines over time. Be sure
to discard medications with expired use dates and store as recommended
on the label.
- Avoid combining medications used for injections. Combining
medications may cause tissue damage and reduce effectiveness
of application.
- Keep records for each animal. Record all information
relevant to each situation when injections are given, such as
suspected ailment, product used, dosage per individual animal,
frequency of treatment, and name or identification number of
each animal treated.
By following these practices, you can accomplish the following:
- Decrease injection site blemishes.
- Reduce the chance for potential losses resulting from damaged
meat products.
- Create an awareness of meat quality control.
- Increase the opportunity for higher profits.
- Provide a document of BMPs to verify a quality product.
- Take pride in a quality product!
Avoiding injection site blemishes is just one aspect of meat
quality assurance. Following best management practices enhances
the opportunity of increased incomes for farmers and ensures the
likelihood of a safe food product for consumers. Meat quality
assurance programs create win-win situations for everyone.
Robert Spencer, Urban Regional Extension Specialist, Alabama A&M University
For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and
home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related
acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama
Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn
University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal
opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
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