26/03/2025
📑 STOP Injecting Animals in the Hindquarters – There’s a Better Way! 🚨 🐄🐎🐖🐐
When administering intramuscular (IM) injections, many people mistakenly inject in the hindquarters, not realizing the risks involved. Whether you're caring for cattle, horses, pigs, goats, or other livestock, using the correct injection site is critical for animal welfare, health, and treatment effectiveness.
❌ The Risks of Hindquarter Injections:
🔴 Increased Pain & Stress – The hindquarters are high-motion areas, making injections more painful and stressful for the animal.
🔴 Higher Risk of Tissue Damage & Abscesses – Injections in the hindquarters can cause muscle scarring, swelling, and infection, affecting movement and comfort.
🔴 Reduced Treatment Effectiveness – Poor injection placement can lead to slow absorption or improper distribution of medication.
🔴 Animal Welfare & Ethical Responsibility – Minimizing pain and discomfort should always be a priority in ethical animal care.
✅ The Right Way: Use the Neck Injection Triangle (for suitable species)
🔺 Top: Nuchal ligament (upper neck)
🔺 Bottom: Cervical vertebrae (spine)
🔺 Front: Shoulder blade
For animals where the neck is not suitable, always consult species-specific best practices and a veterinarian to determine the safest and most effective injection site.
💉 Recommended Needle Sizes for IM Injections
✔ Small livestock (goats, pigs, etc.): 1.2mm × 25mm
✔ Larger animals (cattle, horses, etc.): 1.6mm × 25–38mm
🔹 Always use sharp, clean needles and inject at 90 degrees into the muscle for best results.
By following proper injection techniques, we ensure better health, faster healing, and improved well-being for all animals. Whether you’re a farmer, veterinarian, or animal caretaker, let’s make responsible, humane choices! 🐾💉
©️ Credit: Muhammad Asif (LinkedIn)