First Aid Kit and Equipment

Every farm should have a first aid kit available in case of emergency. This kit must include the necessary equipment in case an injury occurs. First aid kits may be used for persons, as well as animals if necessary.

The help of a veterinarian should first be sought rather than trying to treat injuries and wounds yourself. However, in the case of an emergency with no veterinary help available, the farmer can attempt to treat the animal. Therefore, every farmer should have a first aid kit at hand for unexpected emergencies such as animals getting injured.

Fig 13.71 First aid kit.

The following types of injuries are often seen on the farm:

Cuts.
Bone fractures.
Muscle injuries.
Hip dislocation.

(Note: Surgical procedures should be conducted by qualified, registered veterinarians. Surgical operations with correct chemical immobilisation and pain-killing chemicals are protected by SAVC regulations and consult with your local vet in this regard.)

The basic content of the first aid kit.

First Aid Kit Item	Illustration
Disinfectants like Iodine tincture, Savlon or Dettol, and even salt water are important when treating wounds. Wounds should be cleaned thoroughly when treated to prevent secondary infection. Disinfection should be done every day before treating the wound until the wound has healed up completely.
Lubricant is used in cases where cows need to be assisted in calving (to assist in the stretching of tissues) or when a gastric tube is going to be placed down the oesophagus, to prevent injury due to scratching of the oesophagus wall.
To be able to treat wounds, bone fractures, or any other injury, items that may be needed in the first aid kit, include: Kidney dish or Emesis basin (or any stainless-steel bowl). Suture thread and needle (or thin fishing line cooked for 10 minutes and a half-rounded sewing needle). Artery forceps (or a long nose plier from the toolbox can be inflamed with spirits and used). Tweezers. Surgical scissors (or normal sterilised scissors). Razor, scalpel, or a double-edge razor blade (Minora blades). Medicines, such as painkillers, antibiotics, penicillin, local anaesthetic wound aerosol, and salt to dissolve in boiling water. Saline (a mixture of sodium chloride and water) or antiseptic wash. Used for cleaning wounds. Cold packs. Used to numb the affected area, which can reduce pain and tenderness. Cotton on a roll. Crepe bandage (elastic bandage; compression bandage). White elastic band (masking tape or adhesive tape also works). Plastic pipe (irrigation pipe, approximately 5 – 10 cm in diameter) cut lengthwise. Bone fractures are difficult to treat, and in most cases, a veterinarian should be called for assistance.
An anti-inflammatory remedy, as well as something for pain when joint dislocation, for example, occurs.
If there are diseased animals, a post-mortem examination can be performed, and samples can be chosen for submission to a diagnostic laboratory as a means of obtaining a diagnosis. First aid kit equipment for a post-mortem examination includes: Sharp post-mortem knives are used exclusively for post-mortem examinations. Saw and/or pruning shears to cut ribs. Surgical scissors (or normal sterilised scissors). PPE – surgical gloves (or kitchen rubber gloves), rectal gloves, face masks, safety goggles, and protective clothing. Used to reduce the risk of infection and cross-contamination. Thick, large water-proof bags or sacks, and cable ties.
The following first aid items should always be at hand in the case of plant poisoning: Activated charcoal. Liver protection agent (Thiotic acid). Vitamin B complex.
Dosing and application tools, such as dosing (or drench) gun(s), needles, boiling pot for sterilisation, automatic syringes, and so forth.

Wound Treatment

Stop bleeding.

The first step when treating a wound is to stop the bleeding. This can be done by binding a piece of cloth around the limb if the injury is on a foot or leg. A tourniquet can also be applied to a wound to help stop blood loss. The use of water containing dissolved sugar may also be effective in stopping blood loss from a wound. It is important to apply steady pressure to the wound to slow down blood flow from it.

Preparing and cleaning the wound area.

Before treating a wound, it should be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly after bleeding is stopped or in bad cases limited. It does not help to treat a wound if it has not been cleaned properly because the secondary infection will not be seen easily, and it may be too late at the time it is noticed.

Stitching the wound.

If necessary, stitches should be inserted to pull the skin closer together and thus speed up recovery. Stitching should only be done by someone who has received proper training, preferably a veterinarian.

Prevent infection.

Infection can be prevented by covering up the wound. The wound should be cleaned daily, and an antibiotic should be applied after cleaning. A fly-repellent spray should also be applied around the wound to prevent flies from irritating or further infecting the wound.

Aftercare.

Aftercare practices are more important than treating the wound. If wound aftercare is neglected the wound may become infected and secondary infection may be worse than the primary infection caused due to the injury.

Farmworkers

Follow these guidelines when assembling a first aid kit for your farmworkers:

It would be wise to include pertinent personal information in first aid kits for those individuals who have specific medical conditions. For example, indicate that a certain person has an allergic reaction to bee stings. You may also include the contact information for the family doctor of each person working in the vicinity of the kit.
Include items such as flares, flashlights, emergency blankets, and waterproof matches for agricultural incidents that may occur at night or in winter.
Include a first aid manual in each kit.
For the kits, use containers that are dust-free and water-resistant. Label the kits clearly.

Larger first aid kits should be located at main farm buildings or in the home, and smaller first aid kits should be kept on major pieces of farm equipment and in vehicles. Both may include all or some of the items listed previously (most of the items are like that required for the first aid kit for livestock)

Check first aid kits every year for expired products such as ice packs, heat packs, ointments, saline solution, and so on, and change the flashlight batteries. When you use any items in a first aid kit, replace the items immediately.

MSD Beef Cattle Management Guidelines

The following Tables provide an MSD programme for the management of heifers, cows, bulls, calves, and oxen using MSD Animal Health products.

Please note the following:

This programme was developed with the first breeding at 18 months.
This programme is only a guideline. It is recommended to discuss your programme with a veterinarian.

MSD Beef Cattle Management Guidelines for Heifers and Cows.

HEIFERS AND COWS
AGE	ACTION	MOTIVATION
HEIFERS 8 WEEKS BEFORE BREEDING	Vaccinate heifers with RESPIRAVAX ()**.	Protects heifer against bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine parainfluenza virus 3 (PI3) and Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica. Heifers that have not been previously vaccinated with RESPIRAVAX should receive 2 vaccinations 4 weeks apart with the second vaccination 4 weeks before the breeding season.
HEIFERS 8 WEEKS BEFORE BREEDING	Vaccinate heifers with Vibrio and Trichomoniasis vaccines ()**.	Inactivated (optional) – primary vaccination for heifers. Advantage: Vaccine protects heifers against Campylobacter fetus venerealis, Campylobacter fetus intestinalis and Tritrichomonas foetus causing infection in the uterus resulting in fertilised ova not developing.
HEIFERS AND COWS 4 WEEKS BEFORE BREEDING	Vaccinate cows and heifers with RESPIRAVAX ()**.	Inactivated vaccine, annual vaccination for cows and booster vaccination for heifers. Protects against bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine parainfluenza virus 3 (PI3) and Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica.
HEIFERS AND COWS 4 WEEKS BEFORE BREEDING	Vaccinate with Vibrio and Trichomoniasis vaccines ()**.	Inactivated vaccine (optional). Booster dose for heifers, yearly vaccination for cows. Advantage: Vaccine protects cows or heifers against Campylobacter fetus venerealis, Campylobacter fetus intestinalis and Trichomonas foetus causing infection in the uterus resulting in fertilised ova not developing
HEIFERS AND COWS 6 – 8 WEEKS BEFORE CALVING	Vaccinate heifers and cows with SUPAVAX® *() or a combination of BOTUTHRAX + COVEXIN® 10 ()*.	SUPAVAX® for active immunisation against anthrax, botulism and black quarter. If heifers have not been previously vaccinated with SUPAVAX®, they should be vaccinated with SUPAVAX® 12 weeks before calving and vaccinated with DUOVAX (booster dose); (vaccine against black quarter and botulism) 4 weeks later. BOTUTHRAX + COVEXIN® 10 in areas where clostridial diseases in addition to black quarter occur. Heifers not previously vaccinated with BOTUTHRAX + COVEXIN® 10 should be vaccinated 12 weeks before calving and vaccinated with a BOTUVAX® + COVEXIN® 10 (booster dose) 4 weeks later (vaccine against black quarter and 10 clostridia). Advantage: Immunity developing in cows protects calves that receive sufficient colostrum (10% of body weight within 8 hours of birth).
	Deworm with either of FLUXACUR NF, GARDAL 10%, IVOTAN®, SOLUTION® 3.5% L.A., AVOTAN® POUR-ON.	Broad-spectrum anthelmintic against roundworms and liver fluke. If applicable, select a remedy with efficacy for tapeworms, roundworms, or liver flukes. Advantages: Prevents the consequences of “periparturient relaxation of resistance” (PPRR). Improves the condition of cows. Improves the chances of cows conceiving. Improved calf growth rate due to increased milk production.
	Vaccinate heifers and cows with ROTAVEC® CORONA ()* and BOVILIS® S ()*.	ROTAVEC® CORONA – Inactivated vaccine against E. coli, rota- and coronavirus. Vaccinate 3 – 12 weeks before calving. BOVILIS® S – Aids in control of cattle salmonellosis and paratyphoid in calves caused by S. dublin and S. typhimurium. Heifers not previously vaccinated with BOVILIS® S, should receive a booster vaccination 4 weeks later. Advantage: Where these diseases are identified in a herd, calves are protected by antibodies present in the colostrum. Calves should receive colostrum (10% of body mass) within 8 hours after birth.
COWS 1 MONTH AFTER CALVING	Vaccinate cows with RB51 *()**.	Live vaccine – immunises against brucellosis. Advantage: Aids in the prevention of brucellosis and prevents Brucella-related abortions. (Humans can become infected – zoonosis).

MSD beef cattle management guidelines for calves.

CALVES
AGE	ACTION	MOTIVATION
CALVES 1 – 2 WEEKS OF AGE	Vaccinate calves with Heartwater blood ()*.	Protects animals against heartwater, especially in transition areas of heartwater.
CALVES 1 MONTH OF AGE	Vaccinate calves with PILIGUARD® PINKEYE-1 TRIVALENT ()*.	Primary vaccination against Pinkeye (Keratoconjunctivitis sicca) caused by Moraxella bovis.
CALVES 2 MONTHS OF AGE	Vaccinate calves with PILIGUARD® PINKEYE-1 TRIVALENT ()*.	Vaccination against Pinkeye (Keratoconjunctivitis sicca) caused by Moraxella bovis. (Booster vaccination)
CALVES 3 MONTHS OF AGE	Weigh
	Deworm with GARDAL 10% or PANACUR® BS.	Broad-spectrum anthelmintic against roundworms and milk tapeworms. Advantage: The growth rate is improved.
	Vaccinate with RESPIRAVAX ()**.	Inactivated vaccine (primary dose). Immunity development protects calves against bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD), bovine infectious rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine parainfluenza virus 3 (PI3) and Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica.
CALVES 4 MONTHS OF AGE	Vaccinate heifer calves against Brucellosis with RB51 *()**.	Only heifer calves. Live vaccine – immunises against brucellosis. Advantage: Aids in the prevention of brucellosis and prevents Brucella-related abortions. (Humans can become infected – zoonosis).
	Vaccinate calves with RESPIRAVAX ()**.	Inactivated vaccine (booster dose). Immunity developed protects heifers against bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD), bovine infectious rhinotracheitis (IBR) bovine parainfluenza 3 (PI3) and Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica.
	Vaccinate calves against Rift Valley Fever ()** (live vaccine).	Live vaccine. Disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Advantage: Vaccine protects the animal against Rift Valley Fever.
CALVES 5 MONTHS OF AGE	Vaccinate calves against Redwater ()*.	Live blood vaccines – optional – vaccinate calves in areas where Redwater is present. Two types: Frozen African Redwater blood vaccine. Frozen Asiatic Redwater blood vaccine. Advantage: Protects animals against African- and Asiatic Redwater. Discuss the vaccination programme with your veterinarian.
CALVES 5 MONTHS OF AGE	Vaccinate calves with either SUPAVAX® *() or BOTUTHRAX + COVEXIN® 10 (*).	Primary vaccination of SUPAVAX®. The vaccine contains a live Sterne strain of anthrax, black quarter anaculture and botulism toxoid. Advantage: Active immunisation against anthrax, black quarter, and botulism. Inactivated vaccines – Primary vaccination of BOTUTHRAX + COVEXIN® 10. Vaccine for calves in areas where additional Clostridial strains are prevalent. Advantages: Stimulate immunity against black quarter (C. chauvoei), bacterial red urine (C. haemolyticum), C. novyi type B, redgut (C. perfringens types B, C and D) and gas gangrene (C. septicum and C. sordellii) and botulism.
CALVES 6 MONTHS OF AGE	Vaccinate calves with DUOVAX *()**.	Inactivated vaccine (booster dose for SUPAVAX®). The vaccine contains anaculture of black quarter and botulism toxoids. Advantages: Stimulate calves’ immunity against black quarter and botulism.
	Vaccinate calves with COVEXIN® 10 + BOTUVAX® *() if previously vaccinated with BOTUTHRAX + COVEXIN® 10**.	Inactivated vaccine (booster dose). Vaccine for calves in areas where additional Clostridial strains are present. Advantages: Stimulate immunity against black quarter (C. chauvoei), bacterial red urine (C. haemolyticum), C. novyi type B, redgut (C. perfringens types B, C and D) and gas gangrene (C. septicum and C. sordellii) and botulism.
	Vaccinate calves against the Lumpy Skin Disease virus with LUMPYVAX® *()**.	Live vaccine – against Lumpy Skin Disease. Disease transmitted by midges. The vaccine contains attenuated SIS strain virus. Advantage: Protects animals against Lumpy Skin Disease.
	Vaccinate calves against Anaplasmosis ()*.	Live blood vaccine (optional). Frozen Anaplasma centrale cattle blood vaccine. Advantage: Vaccine protects the animal against anaplasmosis.
CALVES 7 MONTHS OF AGE	Weigh
	Wean
	Deworm with either FLUXACUR NF, GARDAL 10%, IVOTAN®, SOLUTION® 3.5% L.A., or AVOTAN® POUR-ON.	Broad-spectrum anthelmintic against roundworms and tapeworms. If applicable, select a remedy with efficacy for tapeworms, roundworms, and liver fluke (if present). Advantage: Increased growth rate, heifers achieve breeding mass sooner.
HEIFER CALVES 8 MONTHS OF AGE	Vaccinate calves with RB51 *()**.	Only heifer calves. Live vaccine – immunises against brucellosis. Advantage: Aids in the prevention of brucellosis and prevents Brucella-related abortions. (Humans can become infected – zoonosis).
HEIFER CALVES 10 MONTHS OF AGE	Vaccinate calves with RB51 *()**.	Only heifer calves. Live vaccine – immunises against brucellosis. Advantage: Aids in the prevention of brucellosis and prevents Brucella-related abortions. (Humans can become infected – zoonosis).
HEIFER CALVES 12 MONTHS OF AGE	Deworm with either FLUXACUR NF, GARDAL 10%, IVOTAN®, SOLUTION® 3.5% L.A., or AVOTAN® POUR-ON.	Broad-spectrum anthelmintic against roundworms. If applicable, select a remedy with efficacy for tapeworms and liver flukes. Advantage: Increased growth rate, heifers achieve breeding mass sooner.

MSD beef cattle management guidelines for bulls, cows, oxen, and/or heifers.

BULLS, COWS, OXEN, and/or HEIFERS
AGE	ACTION	MOTIVATION
ALL OTHER ANIMALS (BULLS, COWS, OXEN, and/or HEIFERS) SPRING (AUG – SEPT)	Vaccinate with SUPAVAX® *() or BOTUTHRAX + COVEXIN® 10 ()*.	Live vaccine against anthrax, inactivated vaccines against botulism and black quarter. Advantages: Protects animals against anthrax (compulsory vaccination.) Stimulate immunity against black quarter (C. chauvoei), bacterial red urine (C. haemolyticum), C. novyi type B, redgut (C. perfringens types B, C and D) and gas gangrene (C. septicum and C. sordellii) and botulism.
	Vaccinate with PILIGUARD® PINKEYE-1 TRIVALENT ()*.	Vaccination against Pinkeye (Keratoconjunctivitis sicca) caused by Moraxella bovis. (Booster vaccination).
	Vaccinate with the Three-day-stiff-sickness vaccine ()**.	Live vaccine against Three-day-stiff-sickness virus which is transmitted by midges. Advantage: Prevents Three-day-stiff-sickness virus. Vaccination can be given irrespective of the stage of pregnancy or lactation.
	Vaccinate with Lumpy Skin Disease vaccine LUMPYVAX® *()**.	Live vaccine against Lumpy Skin Disease which is transmitted by midges. Attenuated virus (SIS strain) vaccine. Transient swellings may occur at the vaccination site. Advantage: Protect animals against Lumpy Skin Disease.
	Vaccinate with Rift Valley Fever vaccine ()**.	Live or inactivated vaccine against Rift Valley Fever (RVF) which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Give 2 vaccinations 4 weeks apart if the animal had not been previously vaccinated with the Rift Valley Fever (RVF) vaccine. Advantage: Prevents abortions caused by the RVF virus.
	Deworm with either of FLUXACUR NF, GARDAL 10%, IVOTAN®, SOLUTION® 3.5% L.A., AVOTAN® POUR-ON.	Deworming is on the condition of animals, grazing in vlei’s (wetlands), rainfall patterns, droughts, and stress factors. Strategic deworming. Egg counts could be performed but in cattle, this is not correlated to infection. Liver fluke tests and egg counts are done at no charge at the Malelane Research Institute, (013) 792-4518.
	External parasite control: TAKTIC® RANGE (amidines) DELTAB BACK-PACK, DELETE®, DELETE®-X5 (pyrethroids), DELETE® ALL (amidine plus pyrethroid), or SOLUTION® 3,5% L.A. (macrocyclic lactone).	Parasite control should be done regularly to prevent tick-related udder, ear and skin damage. Diseases such as heartwater, redwater and anaplasmosis are transmitted by ticks. Tick resistance testing and dip wash analysis are done at no charge at the Malelane Research Institute, (013) 792-4518.
BULLS	Sheath washes for sexually transmitted diseases should be started 2 months after the breeding season. Fertility tests are done 2 months before breeding.	Infertility and sexual diseases such as vibriosis and trichomoniasis may have disastrous consequences for the farmer.
BULLS	Vaccinate bulls with RESPIRAVAX ()**.	Actively immunises bulls against bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), bovine parainfluenza virus 3 (PI3) and Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR).
ALL CATTLE WINTER (JULY or AUG)	Vit A	Low levels of vitamin A present in winter grazing. Vit A needed for healthy mucous membranes. Advantages: fewer eye problems, retained afterbirths and digestive disturbances.
COWS	Pregnancy examinations are done 3 months after bulls are taken out of the cow herd.	Barren cows can be identified.
NON-PREGNANT ANIMALS, OXEN AND WEANER CALVES THAT ARE GOING TO BE SOLD TO FEEDLOTS	Vaccinate animals with BOVI-TECT III ()**.	Live BVD and IBR vaccine and Mannheimia haemolytica leukotoxin vaccine. Immunity development protects the animal against BVD, Pasteurellosis and IBR.
	Vaccinate animals with BOVI-TECT PI ()**.	Follow up with BOVI-TECT PI after 4 weeks (booster dose). IBR-live vaccine, Mannheimia haemolytica – inactivated vaccine. Enhances the immunity against IBR and Pasteurellosis.

Regular monitoring of worm infestation should be done. Do pooled faecal egg counts for calves, perform condition scoring and weigh animals regularly.

Additional worm treatments could be necessary if environmental conditions for worms are optimal such as irrigation and good rainfall.

Condition scores can also be used to identify individual animals that need drenching.

DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN:

* Essential vaccines (e.g., Anthrax) – Have to vaccinate.

** Recommended vaccines – Good to vaccinate.

*** Optional vaccines – Sometimes vaccinate.

Note: Live vaccines may interfere with each other and therefore two or more live vaccines should not be given together unless they are recommended by the manufacturer.

General – Vaccines and Dewormers.

Vaccines and Dewormers	Registration Number
Read the directions for use accurately and make sure that the recommendations for storage and administration are followed.
AVOTAN® POUR-ON	G3745 (Act 36/1947) V07/18.1.2/376
BOTUTHRAX	G3783 (Act 36/1947) V98/24.4/54
BOTUVAX®	G2193 (Act 36/1947) V98/24.4/333
BOVILIS® S	G3763 (Act 36/1947) V07/24.4/375
BOVI-TECT III	G3211 (Act 36/1947) V03/24.4/684
BOVI-TECT PI	G3001 (Act 36/1947) V02/24.4/786
COVEXIN® 10	G3354 (Act 36/1947) V05/24.4/413
DELETE®	G2815 (Act 36/1947) V01/18.3.3/663
DELETE® ALL	G2837 (Act 36/1947) V01/18.3.9/664
DELETE®-X5	G3279 (Act 36/1947) V03/18.3.3/688
DELTAB BACK-PACK	G2518 (Act 36/1947) V00/18.3.3/492
DUOVAX	G2328 (Act 36/1947) V96/24.4/506
FLUXACUR NF	G3202 (Act 36/1947) V03/8.1.8/679/679
GARDAL 10%	G3201 (Act 36/1947) V03/18.1.1/678
IVOTAN®	G2858 (Act 36/1947) V01/18.1.2/731
LUMPYVAX®	G3673 (Act 36/1947) V06/24.4/184
PANACUR® BS	G1481 (Act 36/1947) V03/18.1.1/655
PILIGUARD® PINKEYE-1 TRIVALENT	G2803 (Act 36/1947) V03/24.4/755
RB51	G3056 (Act 36/1947) V03/24.4/756
RESPIRAVAX	G3867 (Act 36/1947) V10/24.4/719
ROTAVEC® CORONA	G2955 (Act 36/1947) V07/24.4/747
SOLUTION® 3.5% L.A.	G3689 (Act 36/1947) V09/18.1.2/651
SUPAVAX®	G2643 (Act 36/1947) V99/24.4/501
TAKTIC® CATTLE SPRAY	G2535 (Act 36/1947) V01.18.3.4/787

For more product information go to www.msd-animal-health.co.za