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May 13, 2004 Livestock Handlers, Proceed With Care Proper administration of livestock pharmaceuticals should not be taken lightly, according to North Dakota State University Extension Service experts. Livestock handlers must ensure proper animal restraint before attempting injections. It is simply too easy to slip and inject yourself when livestock aren’t properly confined, says Greg Lardy, NDSU Extension Service beef cattle specialist. Accidental injections have been in the news recently, as Micotil® 300, a drug for the treatment and control of bovine respiratory disease, has caused human fatalities. Producers need to be aware of label warnings and take precautions accordingly, Lardy says. Proper animal restraint is one step in the right direction; administration technique is also critical. Elanco Animal Health offers these tips for proper administration of Micotil® 300:
Needles, syringes and Micotil® are not the only concerns when it comes to livestock drugs and human health. Lutalyse®, a prostaglandin, is readily absorbed through the skin and can cause bronciospasms, disruption of the menstrual cycle and abortion in pregnant women. Women of child-bearing age and individuals with asthma or other respiratory problems must exercise extreme care if handling Lutalyse®, according to Charlie Stoltenow, NDSU Extension Service veterinarian. “The significance cannot be overstated,” he says. “Even people wearing gloves have experienced negative effects.” Regu-Mate®, an oral progestin used to suppress estrus in mares, will also penetrate porous gloves and absorb through the skin. If intact rubber gloves acquire a leak, the covered area may suffer increased absorption. The drug has the potential to cause disruption of the menstrual cycle and prolongation of pregnancy. Lardy and Stoltenow agree that livestock producers should not fear these products, but rather take heed of warning labels and practice proper livestock restraint, administration techniques and product handling. These precautions significantly lessen the probability of potentially life-threatening situations. Trade names have been used in some cases for simplicity and their usage does not imply endorsement of one product over another, nor discrimination against any product by the North Dakota State University Extension Service. ### Sources:
Greg Lardy, (701) 231-7660, glardy@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
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