When vaccines "explode"

[susanminiponygirl]

Was giving shots to my mares this morning, EWE and Tetanus. Apparently did not have the needle on tight and when I injected, the needle and syringe separated. Vaccine flying, hits my eye and face. It was a Fort Dodge vaccine, my fault for not getting the needle tight. However, there is nowhere on the packaging that gives you a 1-800 to call for emergencies. Had to find a website for them that gave the phone numbers 1-800-298-7486. Rinsed my eye and face as well as I could til I got in touch with them. Tech said to flush eye and skin for 20 minutes. Killed virus, so no harm there, just some irritation. See doctor if persists more than 6 hours. Sure wish they would put some info on the packaging tho, would save my sanity! Moral of the story--double check that your needles are on tight and keep your face out of the way!

 

[Magic]

Oh, I bet that was scary for you, getting that in your eyes!

A lot of people say to give vaccines by inserting the needle into the horse and then attaching the full syringe and administering. Huh, that doesn't work for me at all, I get the same results as you did (though mine didn't go in my eyes, yikes!) I have to just give the shot like they do to people-- stick it in.

I hope you will be ok!

 

[bevann]

To avoid this problem use LuerLoc syringes.Needles screw on and can't come off-available at some mail order places.I like them best.

 

[susanminiponygirl]

I am fine, just a little frantic ( I'm going to go blind!!

) until I could get in touch with the Fort Dodge people--they were very helpful. I've had the vaccine on my hands before, but never in my eye. I will certainly purchase the LuerLoc needles from now on!!