Oxytocin Use on the Farm

• If used routinely for milk let down,

  • Have a bottle designated for each cow

  • Have well marked bottles for positive and negative cows. Handle negative bottles with single use needles only

Single Use Needles

• Use multi-pocket carpenter’s apron to stock needles
  • At herd health visit stock apron with prostaglandin, GnRH, ECP, booster vaccines, etc., as well as needles
  • Attach gallon plastic jug on belt to dispose of needles
• Use leather apron and dispose of needles in apron
• For some injections, it may be easier to draw all doses prior to giving shot
  • Excellent idea when injecting substances where there is a human risk (i.e. brucellosis, TB)
• Empty shampoo bottle tucked in a rubber boot can be used to dispose of needles

Disinfecting Equipment

• A minimum disinfectant is detergent or a weak solution of bleach, however, this will not be effective for other pathogens

• Have two sets of equipment, keep one in disinfectant at all times

• Place disinfectant outside of pen when working with loose housed animals

• Equipment to be disinfected includes:

  • Dehorners, tattoo pliers, ear taggers, hoof knives, nose tongs, rectal ultrasound equipment, tail dock- ing instruments, medicine vials, ear notchers, teat removal equipment, pill gun

  • Have two sets of IV tubing, clean with detergent, rinse with water and let dry; have one ready to use

• Ensure all personnel working on farm (employees and agriservice) are aware of disinfection protocols

Single Use OB Sleeves

• Decide prior to rectal exams where to dispose of sleeves in facilities where animals are loose housed
  • Empty, clean pour-on insecticide containers often have straps for easy carrying
  • Cut hole in side to store new or used sleeves
• Changing sleeves easily with sweaty arms
  • Cut fingers off one sleeve and put on bare arm
  • Place shoulder protector over fingerless sleeve
  • Wear single use sleeve over both