To keep livestock healthy, farmers not only need to know how to use drugs properly but also must understand potential risks such as drug shock.
During disease prevention and treatment, injection is the most common and effective method. However, anaphylactic shock after injection may occur unexpectedly and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
1. WHAT IS DRUG SHOCK?
Drug shock (also known as anaphylactic reaction) is a hypersensitivity reaction of the animal’s body when exposed to a drug, vaccine, or chemical that it cannot tolerate. At that time, the animal’s body reacts excessively, releasing a series of mediators such as histamine, serotonin…, causing vasodilation, hypotension, bronchospasm, and circulatory and respiratory disorders.
If not treated promptly, the animal may suffer from asphyxia, cardiovascular collapse, and die within a few minutes.
Image of pig farming
2. CAUSES OF POST-INJECTION SHOCK
– Due to the animal’s hypersensitive constitution: Some individuals are more sensitive than usual to active ingredients in the drug.
– Due to irritating or expired drugs, or improper storage.
– Overdose, rapid injection, or wrong injection route. For example: an intramuscular drug is injected intravenously, or into an area with large blood vessels.
– Injecting multiple types of drugs at the same time without checking for drug interactions.
– Due to vaccines or biological drugs containing foreign proteins that the body reacts against.
– Injecting when the animal is weak, feverish, or suffering from a serious disease.
3. SIGNS OF DRUG SHOCK IN ANIMALS
Depending on the species (cattle, pigs, chickens, dogs, cats…), symptoms may vary, but the common signs usually include:
Image of chicken farming
For livestock (cattle, goats, pigs, sheep…):
– The animal trembles, shakes its head, breathes rapidly, yawns continuously.
– Mucous membranes of the eyes and nose become pale or bluish.
– Excessive salivation, sweating, staggering, or collapsing.
– Rapid, weak heartbeat, possible sudden cardiac arrest.
– Some may show abdominal bloating, foaming at the mouth, or uncontrolled urination and defecation.
For poultry (chickens, ducks…):
– Convulsions, ruffled feathers, drooping head, labored breathing, sudden death within a few minutes.
– In some mild cases, recovery may occur after a few hours if treated properly.
4. HOW TO HANDLE DRUG SHOCK
– When encountering animals showing signs of drug shock, immediate treatment is essential – time is the deciding factor for survival.
– If injection is in progress, stop immediately and withdraw the needle.
– Then keep the animal in a dry, well-ventilated area, avoid stress, and use Adrenaline or Caffeine to stimulate the heart and support breathing.
– Use Vitamin C to increase resistance and strengthen blood vessels. Vitamin B group (B1, B6, B12) to support the nervous system.
– Administer 5% Glucose solution to neutralize the drug and provide additional energy to the animal.
After following these steps, the animal usually recovers gradually. However, some mild cases may relapse after a few hours, so heart rate, breathing, and body temperature should be monitored. In severe cases, the animal may not survive.
Image of pig farming
5. SAFETY PRINCIPLES WHEN INJECTING
– Do not inject drugs when the animal is tired, has a high fever, or is exhausted.
– Always test the reaction before injecting: inject a small amount first to observe the animal’s response; if there is no reaction, then administer the remaining dose.
– Check the expiry date and store drugs according to regulations.
– Injection tools must be clean and sterile.
– After vaccination, animals should be observed for about 30 minutes after injection.
Drug shock is a dangerous situation but can be completely controlled if farmers master the technique and are always well-prepared.