[dyedinthewool]

If using an automatic injector to inject Heptavac can I use a 'short' needle (I'm sure i've read about using short needles on here somewhere) where can I get them and do they have a specific/name/size etc?

Do you still have to 'tent' the skin or can you just inject. 

When you see 'Adam on country file he seems to just go along the race and give a quick jab.  No ferreting about in the fleece finding skin to tent.  I can't imagine farmers with hundreds to do 'tenting' skin before injecting.

[YorkshireLass]

The one I've used before fit any standard needle (I prefer short ones anyway)

I would always tent the skin/part the fleece - though I can understand the time saving with 1000 ewes in a hill flock, I have time to be more picky

[pikilily]

Tenting the skin is only applicable for subcutainious injections (subcut).... if the injection is to go IM or intramuscular then lifting the skin is pointless because you are going through the skin and deeper into the muscle.  Yeh part the fleece.......

.. but if anything you should withdraw the plunger to ensure you are not going IV by mistake!! That then becomes very time consuming and can be tricky on an animal that is moving 
Emma T

[Small Farmer]

Your vet can supply needles as can whoever supplied the heptavac. Failing that use google or just go to Mole Valley but you do need to know the length and gauge which differs for each injectable.  The heptavac instructions say read the instructions on the automatic injector....

Adam makes it look easy because he's done it before a few thousand times.  Subcutaneous is a great deal easier than intra muscular but you still need to do it right.  Grab an inch means it really goes under the skin not into anything else.

Personally I use a new needle each time but that's me

[shep53]

Try LUER LOCK metal hub 18g 12mm needles , come in 6/12 packs and can be boiled to sterilise .

[Moleskins]

Try LUER LOCK metal hub 18g 12mm needles , come in 6/12 packs and can be boiled to sterilise .

But bear in mind they will go blunt so will at some point need replacing for that reason.

[shep53]

Yes they go blunt or get damaged but will have done a lot of work first,they are 18g. You can also get  longer needles with the steriomatic system which are automatically sterilised externally

[dyedinthewool]

Thanks everyone,

i've ordered one from my local Farmers Co-op.

 

[SallyintNorth]

When you see 'Adam on country file he seems to just go along the race and give a quick jab.  No ferreting about in the fleece finding skin to tent.  I can't imagine farmers with hundreds to do 'tenting' skin before injecting.

Yep, we do.    BH does it one-handed, I'm getting there.  Use the fleece to tent - pull the fleece apart and up, revealing skin below and making tent in one move.  It's easiest just behind the shoulder blade, alongside the spine. 

It may be more tricky with Heptavac-P as it stings.  We use Covexin-8, which doesn't sting - they react to the puncture but not to the injection itself, with Hep-P they react to both.

[Small Farmer]

Do you know it stings because you've done yourself?  OH did

[SallyintNorth]

Do you know it stings because you've done yourself?  OH did

They jump about and pull away from a Hep jag and don't from Covexin.

Any yes, I've had it in my leg too.  It doesn't half sting!     But only for a short while.

[SteveHants]

I do the short needle thing and dont tent. Needles are 10mm ish.

[Bramblecot]

Re 'It may be more tricky with Heptavac-P as it stings.  We use Covexin-8, which doesn't sting - they react to the puncture but not to the injection itself, with Hep-P they react to both.'

Thanks for that SITN   Now I know why my normally placid ewes fight me when it comes to Heptavac - I thought it was my poor technique.
 

[dyedinthewool]

Do you know it stings because you've done yourself?  OH did

They jump about and pull away from a Hep jag and don't from Covexin.

Any yes, I've had it in my leg too.  It doesn't half sting!     But only for a short while.

Does the Covexin do the same job..? 
I managed to prick my hand last year and ended up in A&E for 8 hrs - a very swollen and sore arm - it had traveled up my arm -  for a few days and had to have a Tetnus jab

I do the short needle thing and dont tent. Needles are 10mm ish.

Where do you give the injection Steve remembering this will be my lambs

[SallyintNorth]

Do you know it stings because you've done yourself?  OH did

They jump about and pull away from a Hep jag and don't from Covexin.

Any yes, I've had it in my leg too.  It doesn't half sting!     But only for a short while.

Does the Covexin do the same job..? 

Yes, Covexin does the same job for clostridial diseases - but Heptavac also covers a couple of kinds of pasteurella, Covexin doesn't.