Used syringes - what do you do with them?

[carolinagirl]

I don't reuse them. They are cheap so why would I? Here's an interestng photo of what a syringe needle looks like after only a few uses. Using a needle like that has got to be much more painful for the animal.

 

[neener92]

Okay, Hang head, I will admit it.



This is a bad subject on our farm and something we have talked about needing to improve. Honestly, we just reuse them, as in We use the same needle and syringe when we are vaccinating to do all the kids, ect... It is a bad habit we got from working for years on all those hog farms. You would just keep using the same needles, syringes until it was no longer sharp or break and then go onto the next one.

OUr new plan is going to be to use one needle per animal and then wash everything, soak in alcohol, and reuse after that. Roll, maybe you can jump up and down and scream at us, to get us to do a better job with this.

We do too. We are also working on this.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Sure, and when you have a small herd that's affordable. When you've got 1,000 cows it adds up quick.

When you have 1000 cows, you should be using jet injectors.

Yes, if you were doing all 1000 at once or you were in a location where that's more practical (using a handling system or something). I can only speak for the farms where I've worked, but most times it was groups of cattle every week or so, getting multiple injections in different locations all over the farm. Say each cow gets 5 vaccines a year, that's a LOT of needles and syringes. I can't say it's the ideal thing to do, but on large farms I have a feeling it's more commonly done than not.

 

[20kidsonhill]

I have been paying 25 cents for the needle and 25 cents for the syringe. Perhaps i need to find a cheaper source. Because at 50cc an injection, not including the medicine, I can't afford to throw them out after just one use.

 

[ksalvagno]

I have been paying 25 cents for the needle and 25 cents for the syringe. Perhaps i need to find a cheaper source. Because at 50cc an injection, not including the medicine, I can't afford to throw them out after just one use.

What size syringe do you buy? At PBS Animal Heath ( http://www.pbsanimalhealth.com/ ) you can get needles for either $.14 or $.12 per needle if you buy a box of 100 at a time. That is for 18 or 20 gauge. Luer Lock tip syringes run from $.12 to $1.44 depending on size starting at 3cc up to 60cc if you buy a box of them. Regular tip syringes run from $.11 to $1.44 depending on size from 1cc to 60cc.

I just noticed in the book that they have an economy one that is mostly luer slip lock that is $.10 to $.67 for 3xx to 60 cc syringe. They do offer a 12cc syringe in the Luer lock for $.17 per syringe. This is all based on buying a box of them.

Disposable syringes with needles run from $.21 to $.36 but only offer 3cc to 12cc. Once again, you have to buy a full box of them to get that price.

 

[20kidsonhill]

I have been paying 25 cents for the needle and 25 cents for the syringe. Perhaps i need to find a cheaper source. Because at 50cc an injection, not including the medicine, I can't afford to throw them out after just one use.

What size syringe do you buy? At PBS Animal Heath ( http://www.pbsanimalhealth.com/ ) you can get needles for either $.14 or $.12 per needle if you buy a box of 100 at a time. That is for 18 or 20 gauge. Luer Lock tip syringes run from $.12 to $1.44 depending on size starting at 3cc up to 60cc if you buy a box of 100. Regular tip syringes run from $.11 to $1.44 depending on size from 1cc to 60cc.

3 cc, 6cc, 12cc and 18 gauge and 20 gauge needles 3/4". We have been getting them at the feed store, I guess I should order a couple boxes on-line. Luer locks.

 

[ksalvagno]

We have been getting them at the feed store, I guess I should order a couple boxes on-line. Luer locks.

If you are buying them at the feed store, then no wonder you are paying such a high price. it is amazing how fast you can go through it. Believe me, a box will get used up in no time. I feel like I can never have enough needles and syringes and they certainly don't go bad.

 

[jodief100]

I throw them out, except the big 35cc syringes. Then only when it was used for an oral medication. I get a sharps box at Costco for $2.00 and put the needles in there. I fill it up about once a year and get a new one. I do not feel I can get the little ones clean enough.

Whenever I order something and need to meet a certain dollar amount for free shipping, like at Jeffers, I order syringes and needles. They never go bad and I always need them.

 

[elevan]

I never reuse syringes for injections. And never reuse needles for anything.

I do reuse syringes for oral meds...wash and dispose when the medication course is done (such as Albon for coccidia). So at most I'm washing and using for 5 days.

 

[cmjust0]

I voted 'yes - but only for oral medications' because that's how I most often re-use a syringe.. Generally, however, I toss'em. The difference usually depends on whether I'm toward the beginning of a fresh box of syringes or my supply is waning, and/or how much time I've got, and/or how many animals are about to get the same med and how it's delivered, etc..

For instance.. If I know I'm about to dose 4 goats with injectable cydectin orally, that's one needle and one syringe. If I'm about to *inject* four goats with ivermectin, that's four needles and one syringe. If I only have a couple of needles and a syringe or two left at my disposal and something *has* to be done, I've been known to use a 'family needle'.. For instance, I figure if a goat carried another goat in its belly for 5mos, or two goats shared their mama's womb and udder, sharing a needle between the two probably won't be the end of the world -- but that sorta thing is an extremely rare occurance for me, and only happens as an absolute last resort.. Actually, I can think of only two instances where I've done that..

For the most part, though, I don't make any real effort to conserve needles or syringes. They're like 'solo' cups to me: I don't buy them because they're cheaper than glasses -- I buy them because I can throw them away instead of washing them!