vaccinations protocol

1. Document created: April 2022
Author: Gemma May
Approved by: Ian Roper
Vaccinations
Protocol for Vet techs
The purpose of this protocol is to allow the vet tech to carry out blood sampling under either the
direct and continuous supervision of a veterinary surgeon of Westpoint Farm Vets or, if appropriate,
with a veterinary surgeon elsewhere on site in a supervisory capacity.
Species covered: Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Camelids
Health and safety: The vet tech will work in accordance with the health and safety policy.
When performing a dynamic risk assessment, it is at the vet tech’s discretion to not continue
if there are significant risks to the health and safety of themselves, the animals, the farm
employees or public.
The vet tech;
must use any equipment available that is designed to reduce risks while performing the task
in hand, provided it is well maintained, in good working order and fit for purpose;
must be able to use the handling and other safety equipment provided; must be aware of
the dangers when handling livestock and be directly and continuously supervised until they
are competent;
must be able to work calmly with the animals, without displaying impatience or utilising
unnecessary force;
must be in good health and properly trained in safe work methods.
VetPartners Documents relating to this policy.
Cattle handling risk assessment
Cattle handling guidance
Health and Safety policy statement
Accident reporting category guidance
Biosecurity in practice
Needlestick injuries in veterinary practice
Emergency procedures SOP sharps injury
Restraint: Adult or large cattle - To be secure in a crush
Calves - To ensure the comfort of the calf and minimise distress, back the calf into a
corner using your body to hold them against the two supporting walls, if able place

2. Document created: April 2022
Author: Gemma May
Approved by: Ian Roper
your front leg slightly in front of the calf so it can’t push forward, use your arm to
pull the head around toward you and hold it in place.
Sheep – use a race where possible, if not to ensure the comfort of the sheep and
minimise distress, back the animal into a corner using your body to hold them
against the two supporting walls, if able place your front leg slightly in front of it so it
can’t push forward, use your front arm to pull the head around toward you and hold
it in place, alternatively standing behind the animal with your legs slightly apart,
while holding on to the front end of the animal pulling into you.
Camelid – as with sheep (either in a chute or freestanding), the head can be held in
a ‘bracelet’ hold under the mandible. Gentle restraint around the distal neck and
some pressure on the withers should keep them still. Halter-trained camelids are
easier to restrain.
Goat – as with sheep.
Be mindful of horns where applicable, and to not exert too much force on horns of sheep and goats
in particular, as they may detach. Take care not to cover the nose of small ruminants and camelids as
they are obligate nasal breathers and this will cause significant distress.
Technique: The method of administering the injection will be stated on the bottle or in the enclosed
product leaflet and must be followed. In both cases it is preferable to inject when the animals are
dry to reduce the chance of introducing foreign matter/bacteria.
Intramuscular – Draw up the prescribed dose of the medication into the syringe.
Sheep/ Goats - In adult goats and sheep intramuscular injections are to be given in
the neck muscle where possible. They can also be administered in the front-facing
muscle at the top of hind limb. As a last resort, the rump muscle that bulges
between the pin bone of the hip and the hook bone, but care to avoid potential for
sciatic damage.
Cattle – Intramuscular injections should be administered in the neck as a first port of
call, this is to avoid damage and blemishes to the more valuable cuts of meat on the
carcass, no matter the age of the animal. Intramuscular injections should not be
given in the rump or rear leg, however this is arguable in dairy.
Camelid – The best sites to administer an intramuscular injection is on the front
upper part of the hind legs or the rear part of the upper front legs. Use a needle long
enough to penetrate the skin and fat into the muscle.
Make sure needle is perpendicular to the body. Pull back slightly on the plunger before injecting to
make sure you are not in a blood vessel. Inject slowly and gently massage the area when the needle
is withdrawn.
Subcutaneous (under the skin injections) – Draw up the prescribed dose of the medication into the
syringe.
Sheep/ Goats - Grab a fold of skin and pull it away from the body creating a tent like
structure, this should be done in the neck area, behind or below the ear or shoulder
or over the shoulder. Inject into the skin with the needle parallel to the body,
ensuring you do not come out the other side of the skin fold. Pull back on the

3. Document created: April 2022
Author: Gemma May
Approved by: Ian Roper
plunger once you have inserted the needle, there should be resistance if you get no
resistance you have probably gone through the other side, if you get blood in the
syringe you are in a blood vessel and you should remove and replace the syringe and
try again in a different location Gently apply pressure to the syringe plunger to
administer the medication at a steady rate. Follow the same technique when using a
dosing injection gun, however the gun should be set at the correct dose before
beginning and checked that it hasn’t changed throughout the procedure when
administering to a large number of animals. If administering more than one
injection, change the site, either administer on the other side of the neck or at least
4 inches from the previous site.
Cattle – As described for sheep and goats but in front of or over the shoulder.
Camelids – The best area to administer subcutaneous injections on camelids is just
in front of, over or behind the shoulder, camelids are quite lean and do not have
much excess skin. Follow the rest of the technique described for sheep and goats.
Medication: All medications are prescribed by a vet, for the animals in question and suitable for the
task in hand. All data sheets are to be followed and the medication is administered in accordance
with the instructions. All withdrawal period information, batch numbers and expiry dates are to be
given to the farmer. Contraindications have been considered by the prescribing vet and the vet tech
made aware. The vet tech will ensure that any products used have been stored in accordance with
manufacturers recommendations. Off-label consent will be gained for medications utilised on the
cascade.
Equipment required: Syringes of various capacity, needles of various lengths and gauges, sharps bin.
PPE required: Waterproofs, suitable waterproof safety footwear, gloves
Biosecurity measures: The vet tech will arrive on farm clean and presentable, carrying no soil,
organic matter or bodily fluids on their person or clothing from previous locations. They will wear
gloves throughout the procedure. Once the procedure is complete the vet tech will scrub down their
hands and arms and disinfect their waterproofs and boots using a 1 in 20 dilution rate of Fam 30
multi-purpose iodophor disinfectant.
Statement of competency: I …………………………………………… Veterinary surgeon, of Westpoint farm
vets, deem that ……………………………………., Veterinary Technician, is suitably competent to carry out
this procedure and confirm that observations have been made to support this conclusion. See
separate observation record.
Signed: Date:
I …………………………………, Veterinary Technician, of Westpoint farm vets, agree to adhere to the
written protocol for this procedure.
Signed: Date:
Review: Annually or if issues arise.