Page 25 - MWC 10-27-2022s

Equipment Maintenance

The Midwest Cattleman · October 27, 2022 · P25

By Bob Larson DVM September 13, 2022
Beef cattle producers typ- important to recognize that portant. For items that may health equipment is one of
ically own several differ- disinfectants won’t work in break during routine use, many considerations when
ent types of animal health the presence of dirt, manure, having at least one back-up providing good care for your
equipment. A few important or blood so a good cleaning is probably a good idea. cattle. Taking a little time to
considerations are: obtain- is always the first step. Be- Cleaning and maintain- consider what equipment you
ing good quality equipment, cause cleaning and disinfect- ing animal health equipment need, how you will keep it
focusing on cleanliness, and ing detergents can easily de- are important considerations clean, and the best methods
making sure that all equip- stroy the ability of vaccines when implementing BQA to make sure it is well-main-
ment is well-maintained. to work effectively, thorough- (Beef Quality Assurance) on tained will serve you well as
Some common animal health ly cleaning reusable syringes your cattle operation. This in- you go about the daily tasks
equipment likely to be found followed by boiling them in cludes proper care and use of of caring for your herd.
on many ranches includes: water will kill any germs on syringes and needles to pre-
portable squeeze chutes and the equipment without leav- vent injection site problems,
handling facilities, scales to ing a residue that can harm keeping animal handling
collect body weight, warming vaccines. Needles should not equipment in good working
crates for calves born in cold be cleaned and re-used – in- condition to
conditions, AI (artificial in- stead use disposable needles. prevent bruis-
semination) supplies, calving Always clean syringes be- ing or injury,
chains and calf jacks for use tween uses; it is important and having
in cases of calving difficulty, to not use a syringe for one clean, reliable
ear tag pliers, tattoo pliers, product followed by another equipment for
castration and dehorning product without a thorough use when as-
tools, and syringes and nee- cleaning in between uses. sisting diffi-
dles. Previously used needles cult births or
While it is important to should never be used to with- dealing with
search for value when pur- draw vaccine from the bot- other health
chasing animal health equip- tle. This should only be done emergencies
ment, equipment that breaks with a brand-new needle to to ensure good
easily or that won’t reliably prevent contaminating the animal care
perform its function is never contents of the bottle. For and welfare.
a bargain no matter what the rehydrating the freeze-dried A n i m a l
purchase price. If high-priced portion of a modified live vac-
equipment is needed only cine with the provided liquid,
rarely, finding a source that ideally, a double-sided trans-
can lease it on an as-needed fer needle should be used. If
basis may be preferable to a transfer needle is not avail-
purchasing. Buying needed able, you should use a new
supplies and equipment from needle and syringe.
local sources has the advan- There are diseases of cat-
tages of convenience and tle that can be spread by
knowing who will stand be- very small amounts of blood
hind the equipment they sell. – even the trace of blood left
Online suppliers and large on tattoo pliers, tagging in-
outlets have the advantage struments, castrating knives,
of a large inventory and wide and injection needles. To help
selection. The best source for prevent the spread of ana-
your equipment needs will plasmosis and bovine leuko-
depend on your geographic sis, instruments that contact
area and your priorities. blood should be rinsed or
Keeping equipment clean wiped off between uses to re-
is almost always good advice, move all traces of blood.
but cleanliness for animal Maintenance and service
health equipment is espe- instructions provided with
cially important. Many types new equipment should be
of equipment will come with followed to ensure that your
manufacturers’ recommen- equipment is ready to use
dations for cleaning, and it when you need it. All equip-
is always important to follow ment should be examined
these directions. In general, closely for signs of wear or
washing with hot water, soap, problems that you can ad-
and appropriate brushes or dress, and to recognize when
other utensils is usually a you need to send equipment
good place to start. For some to an expert for repair. Some
animal health equipment, it equipment needs routine lu-
is recommended to use a dis- brication or sharpening and
infectant to remove germs having all the materials you
once the item is clean of all need to keep your equipment
dirt and other debris. It is in good working order is im-