05/01/2025
Injection Sites in Common Farm Animals: A Simple Guide for Farmers and Animal Keepers
Giving injections (shots) to farm animals is a normal part of taking care of them. Injections help prevent or treat sickness and make sure the animals stay healthy. But it’s important to give these shots in the right place to avoid hurting the animal or damaging the meat, especially in animals raised for food. This guide explains the best places to give shots in common farm animals like goats, cows, sheep, pigs, and chickens.
1. Muscle Shots (Intramuscular or IM)
These shots go deep into the muscles. They work slowly but for a long time.
- Goats: The best place is in the neck, just in front of the shoulder. You can also use the back leg, but this may affect meat quality.
- Cows and Sheep: Also best in the neck to keep good meat from being damaged.
- Pigs: Given in the neck, behind the ear.
- Chickens: Usually in the breast muscle.
2. Under-the-Skin Shots (Subcutaneous or Sub Q)
These shots go just under the skin. They are easy to give and usually don’t hurt the animal much.
- Goats: Given in the armpit area or on the shoulder.
- Cows and Sheep: Given under the loose skin behind the shoulder or over the ribs.
- Pigs: Often given in the flank or behind the ear.
- Chickens: Given in the loose skin on the back of the neck.
3. Vein Shots (Intravenous or IV)
These shots go straight into a vein and work very fast. They should only be done by someone trained.
- Goats, Cows, and Sheep: Use the jugular vein in the neck.
- Pigs: The ear vein is often used.
- Chickens: Rarely done, but sometimes given in the wing vein.
4. Udder Shots (Intramammary)
These are used for female animals with udder infections, like mastitis.
- Goats, Cows, and Sheep: Medicine is put into the teat using a clean, special tool.
- Not used in pigs or chickens.
