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Which needle length should I choose? Weight of the animal is one consideration, but do not overlook the fur or coat of hair on the animal. For example a chow or husky breed of dog with thick matted hair that weighs only 50 pounds may need a 1 /18 or 1 ¼ inch needle to get through all the hair, where as a 1200 pound cow you could use a ¾ inch needle.
Location: The climate where animals live may also affect the length of needles. In colder climates animals have more body fat and a thicker coat of hair in the fall and winter than the spring and summer.
Animals raised in captivity as a general rule have more body fat those wild animals. (I.e. Pot Belled pigs).
Longer needle lengths tend to bend and break much easier than shorter ones at times before the drug can be administered to the animal. (Lengths such as 1 ¼, 1 ½ and 1 ¾)
Longer needle length tend to stay in longer than shorter ones, some people use this as a way to prevent bounce outs. (Longer recover time) This is not advisable.
Longer needle lengths such as (1 ¼ or 1 ½) many times cause more problems than they cure. Accidentally the syringe may strike the animal in the chest or stomach area, which may cause damage and or death to the animal.
Longer needle length can also cause problems by getting the drug too deep into the animal. Such as into bone or tendons or the needle point passing through to the outside of the skin on the lower leg area and not inject the drug into the animal.
Subcutaneous (SQ) or Intramuscular (IM): Know how the drug you are using must be administered (in the muscle or under the skin) and use the shortest length needle to accomplish the task.
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