Canadian Quality Milk On-Farm Food Safety Program - Centre ...

Canadian Quality Milk
drug was itself given according to the label.
• Using an unapproved vNHP without a veterinary prescription.
Under federal regulations, producers are legally obliged to follow the exact instructions
included on the product label and insert. Producers can use drugs in an extra-label
manner only under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. This condition applies to
both over-the-counter and prescription drugs, even if the drug to be used was not
purchased from a veterinarian, e.g. a livestock medicines outlet.
Licensed veterinarians are permitted to dispense livestock medicines and recommend
extra-label usage, but they can do so only under certain conditions. When prescribing
extra-label use of a drug, the veterinarian assumes responsibility for any damages and
adverse reactions that might occur as a result of the extra-label use. In many
provinces, and with this program, the veterinarian is required to provide written
instructions on the use of the livestock medicine, including appropriate
withdrawal times.
Please note: In Quebec, all medications administered to dairy animals must be accompanied
by a written veterinary prescription.
4.4 ADMINISTRATION OF TREATMENTS
4.4.1 Administering Injections
Record the identity of any animals carrying broken needles and record the site
of injection. Have a veterinarian find and remove the needles, or, if this is not
possible, inform the packing plant or next buyer of contaminated animals. This will
reduce the risk of contaminated meat becoming human food.
When given the choice on the label, give livestock medicines under the skin
(subcutaneously) rather than in the muscle. If intramuscular injection is necessary,
using proper injection techniques will reduce the possibility of damaging the muscle,
and increase the chances treatment will be successful.
Use the side of the neck (preferred site) for injections into muscle. Using this site
greatly reduces the chances of damaging the more valuable rump cuts of meat. The
same site can be used for giving injections to both calves and adult cattle.
Properly identify the injection site, by identifying the neck bones that run roughly
along a line between the base of the ear and the point of the shoulder. If you stay
above this line and the width of your hand below the crest of the neck, you can
safely inject into the large neck muscles. Start two to three inches ahead of the
shoulder blade. If you move one hand's-width closer to the head, you can give
another injection on the same side. You can use both sides of the neck.
Use clean, sharp needles when giving injections into muscle to prevent bruising
and tearing of muscle fibres at the injection site and to reduce the risk of needle
breakage in muscle tissue.
• Ideally use a new single use needle for each injection.
June 2010 4—17