Injection Site Zone Tightens
by T. S. Gatz
There's no doubt about it. The beef industry is doing a terrific job
at lessening injection site blemishes. In 1991, the National Beef
Quality Audit found that 21.6 percent of fed cattle had injection
site blemishes in the top butt. In 1999, this defect had dropped to
3.2 percent.
But now there's a new concern: greenish lesions are showing up in
beef cases where retailers use modified atmosphere packaging.
"We're finding a 15 percent to 20 percent incidence of greenish
lesions in chuck steaks where modified-atmosphere packaging is being
used," states Dr. Dee Griffin, University of Nebraska and member
of National Cattlemen's Beef Association Beef Quality Assurance (BQA)
Task Force. "These greenish lesions are not likely new. We just
didn't see them before modified-atmosphere packaging came to the retailer
case. Also coming into play is the practice of retailers now using
part of the chuck for steaks.
"Put these two factors together and we have a problem. This 15
percent to 20 percent incidence of greenish lesions is a concern and
must be reduced."
Dr. Griffin points out that current research indicates that the greenish
lesions cannot be traced to a particular product or formulation.
Labeling the greenish lesions "an industry challenge," Dr.
Griffin stresses that the percentage of lesions can be reduced by
tightening the current injection site zone.
"Our work shows that one chuck muscle plays a major role in the
problem," Dr. Griffin states. "By tightening the injection
site zone, this particular muscle is avoided, and incidence of lesions
can be significantly reduced."The greenish lesions are a management
problem.
Although there are various unknowns, we do know that giving products
SubQ when possible, tightening the old injection site zone and administering
IM injections at least a hands width ahead of the shoulder will be
a big step in addressing the problem."
In addition to requesting that vaccinations be given only in the new
injection site zone, Dr. Griffin lists eight areas where quick, easy
improvement can be achieved when vaccinating cattle:
1. Use trained individuals who know
how to properly vaccinate and follow proper procedure.
2. Follow product labels and adhere to withdrawal times.
3. When products offer a choice of SubQ or IM, administer vaccinations
SubQ. Tent all SubQ injections.
4. Use 1 to 1.5" needles for IM and 1/2 to 3/4'" needles
for SubQ.
5. Use 16-gauge or 18-gauge needles.
6. Change needles when they become contaminated and don't give injections
where mud, manure and other contaminants are present.
7. Change needles at least every 15 animals.
8. Clean syringes properly before using them.
Dr. Griffin emphasizes that disinfecting and cleaning
vaccination equipment is crucial to keeping healthy, unblemished livestock.To
properly clean syringes, he advises cleaning internal parts of automatic
and pistol-grip vaccine syringes in boiling water, then allowing them
to cool for at least 10 minutes before using.
To lubricate parts, Dr. Griffin suggests using clean products such
as vegetable oil spray. His preference: disposable vaccine syringes
or syringes that have disposable parts.
Although Dr. Griffin is a big proponent of giving all injections SubQ,
he notes that not all products are labeled for this route of administration.
"Some products must be used IM (intramuscular) because there
is no SubQ on the label. But," he adds, "if you have a choice,
go SubQ."
Animal health companies applaud the new injection site zone and the
other steps Dr. Griffin is encouraging those in the beef industry
to follow.
"The practices and the new injection site zone are excellent
steps toward lessening injection site blemishes," states Dr.
Jim Rhoades of Novartis Animal Vaccines, Inc. "When all of us
work together as a team and address BQA issues, significant inroads
can be made." ©
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