Health Administration

Orally

Oral administration

• Check dose rate – set doser if necessary
• Pick up piglet carefully
• Hold piglet comfortably and restrain properly
• Deliver dose over the back of the tongue
• Wait for piglet to swallow the dose
• Release carefully

Injection

• Deposit product at the correct site - every time
• Poor injection technique can affect the efficiency of the product and cause irreparable carcase damage
• Always use the method indicated on the product label
• If you must inject more than one product in one day, inject at different sites (eg opposite sides of the neck) Check with supplier, vet or manufacturer
• Do not inject into wet or dirty skin
• Any withdrawal period for the substance being injected must be observed

With proper use, a needle should not break off in the animal. If it does:

• If the needle is visible, restrain the animal and remove the needle
• If the needle is not visible or not removable:
  • Mark the animal with a distinct and permanent form of identification
  • Record the date, identification and the means of the pig’s disposal in the medicine book
  • On-farm and in transport the pig should be penned on it’s own
  • Inform the slaughterhouse. Send an owner declaration casualty slaughter certificate with the pig and inform the slaughterhouse of the site of injection

Intramuscular injection – into the muscle

Intramuscular injection

Subcutaneous injection

• Quickest and easiest method
• Check correct needle length required
• Locate injection site:
  • In the deep muscle of the neck
  • Behind the ear
  • At the highest point behind the ear where the loose folded skin meets the taut skin
• Correct technique is vitally important
• Inject at right angles to the skin
• Too far back or at the wrong angle can result in the product entering the fatty tissue of the neck, which can affect uptake
• Too low down can result in the product entering the salivary glands which can cause pain, eating difficulties and prevent the product from working.

Subcutaneous injection – under the skin

• Shorter needle required than for intramuscular injections
• Locate injection site:
  • Under the skin of the neck behind the ear
• Insert needle so that it runs under the skin
• Correct technique is vitally important

Water Medication

• Allows quick treatment of large numbers of pigs in the early stages of a disease outbreak
• Ensure medication is fully dissolved before administering
• Check that flow rates are correct along the whole water line
• During hot weather try and administer medication in the early morning or evening so that medicated water is not wasted by pigs trying to keep cool
• Water quality may affect efficacy, check with your vet
• Make sure the water distribution system is cleaned before and after the period of treatment