Cymraeg

Safe Use of Veterinary Medicines
Session 2 - Types of Farm Animal Medicines

This resource is suitable to support Level 2 Agriculture courses.

Introduction

Medicines used for livestock are classified in several groups; the classification governs where the medicine can be purchased:

  • Veterinary surgeries.
  • Farm stores.
  • Online.
  • Supermarkets (for dog and cat treatments).
    • image of medicines, a laptop, a shop sign, and a pharmacy sign

    POM V - Prescription Only Medicines Veterinarian

    These must be prescribed by a veterinary surgeon and can be dispensed by any veterinary surgeon or pharmacist (e.g. antibiotics).

    Graphic of a vet with a cow

    POM-Presciption Only Medicines

    Prescription only medicines-(POM-VPS).

  • Must be prescribed by a vet, pharmacist or qualified person and can be dispensed by any of those persons (e.g. wormers, vaccines).
    • Graphic of vet behind two big pills

    Non-Food Animal Medicines

    Must be prescribed by a vet, pharmacist or qualified person(e.g. pet wormers).

  • Authorised veterinary medicines (AVM-GSL) Can be supplied by anyone (e.g. flea treatments).
    • A vet in one circle, and a tick / flea in another circle with a line through it

    MFS - Medicated Feedstuffs

    Medicated feeding stuffs (MFS) are medicines which are added to the feed following a prescription from a veterinary surgeon.

    Example

    Deccox can be added to lamb creep feed to treat coccidiosis.

    Image of Deccox packaging

    Common Terms on Medicines Instructions

    When reading the manufacturer’s instructions it is very important that the terms are understood.

    Contra Indications

    There may be a section on the instructions with the heading “Contra indications”. In this section there will be information relating to the medicine and times when it may not be appropriate to use it. Some labels will have a heading of ‘Contra indications and warnings’.

    graphic of Cystotec packet

    Subcutaneous

    Subcutaneous - ‘under the skin’. Administration by injection of a product e.g. vaccine, under the skin.

  • This is a common method of administering medicines and vaccines to livestock. It releases the product at a slower rate into the bloodstream.
    • Image of cow being injected with needle

    Intramuscular

    Intramuscular – ‘into the muscle’.

  • Administration by injection of a product. E.g. antibiotic, into the muscle.
  • Care needs to be taken that such injection sites do not damage carcasses of animals destined for meat production.
    • graphic of cow with injection sites highlighted green

    Intramammary

    Intramammary – ‘into the udder’.

  • Dry cow tubes or antibiotics to treat mastitis are administered by this route through the teat canal into the cistern.
    • image of udders

    Oral Medicines

    This term is used for medicines that are given to the animal through the mouth.

    graphic of 3 tablets / pills

    Bolus

    A bolus is an object that will stay in a ruminant’s stomach.

  • Boluses are used for medicines and minerals which will be released slowly over a several weeks e.g. magnesium boluses may be given to sheep in the spring so that the sheep get a constant supply of magnesium when the levels of magnesium in the pasture are low.
    • image of sheep being given a bolus

    Intravenous

    Intravenous - ‘into the vein’.

  • Few products administered by farmers or stockmen are given this way, it is mainly done by a vet.
  • It releases the product very rapidly into the bloodstream.
    • graphic of cow with arrow pointing to and labelling jugular groove
    Back to Menu Next Session ▶