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Syringes and needles are commonly used items in the animal health industry, but how does one select the best for equine use?
There is a wide range of syringes and needles available on the market; therefore, when selecting a syringe for use in equine care, it is important to understand the type of application. While not all horses have an allergy to silicone oil, it is more common than one might think. There are two types of disposable syringes, 2-part, and 3-part. This difference can be crucial when treating a horse with silicone or latex sensitivity. A 3-part syringe is the most typical disposable syringe, which has a rubber gasket that acts as sealant creating a vacuum. The plunger with rubber stopper slides smoothly using a lubricant, like silicone oil, to prevent the plunger from sticking while moved within the barrel. With no known allergy, this syringe is a simple, inexpensive product with many uses. If treating a horse with a known silicone or latex allergy, it is critical to understand the difference between these syringe options. A 2-part syringe is an all-plastic syringe with 2 parts: a barrel, and a plunger (no rubber stopper). It should be free of rubber, latex, and silicone oil. These are generally manufactured from laboratory-grade polyethylene and polypropylene. This is the ideal product solution for any situation needing an inert, nonreactive syringe. Air-Tite has many options available for breeding procedures that contain no rubber, silicone oil, styrene, or DEHP, and are latex-free. These include NORM-JECTⓇ syringes, 3-20ml, and our own AIR-TITEⓇ 50ml syringe COMING SOON, at the start of 2024. If you would like to learn more about The Difference Between A 2-Part And 3-Part Syringe, view details here.
Equine breeding is a large industry that understands the value and importance of a larger volume 2-part syringe. In the process of artificial insemination, the semen must first be collected from the stallion. After collection, a semen counter is used, motility is viewed under a microscope, a semen extender is added, and a centrifuge is used to separate prior to freezing or cooling semen. A larger volume 2-part syringe, such as 30ml or 50ml, is vital for the process of transferring a measured dose of semen to the pipette used in the freezing/cooling system. This pipette will later be used in the process of insemination. This is an important instance where it is essential that one uses a 2-part syringe, as the silicone oil in a syringe with a rubber stopper reduces motility and kills sperm count.
The best needles for equine use are those that have a lower extrusion force and a larger gauge that allows a high flow rate (consider the skin thickness of the animal). Identifying the correct needle gauge, needle length, and sterility are important factors to consider. Most often, a veterinary specialist uses a needle size ranging between 18g to 25g in diameter and ½” to 1 ½” in length. For animals with silicone sensitivity, Air-Tite carries a special 19g x 1-1/2” Non-Silicone Air-Tite Needle. Oftentimes, uses are for either intramuscular injections (into muscle-such as vaccine, or medication) or intravenous injections (into vein-such as administering fluids). Air-Tite carries a wide range of supplies for “Vet & Lab Use” including syringes, needles, and syringes with attached needles, in both, sterile and unsterile options.
At Air-Tite Products, we value being able to provide high-quality products for specialty uses, and we are happy to help our customers find customized solutions. Use the links below to explore our animal health products or contact us with any questions you have regarding syringes and needles for equine use.
