Materials need in your calf drip box: 3l Hartmanns, bicarbonate, giving set, scissors or clippers, a blade, ready made supramid loaded needles (see photo), cannula, a soft rope, Hibiscrub and local anaesthetic.

Fluids should be body temperature so as soon as you arrive to the farm get them into warm water.

Always ensure a full clinical exam is carried out on calf before starting any procedure.

I’m right handed so I place the calf in right lateral recumbency and kneel on the spinal side of the calf. I find it awkward from any other direction.

Tie the four legs together, do this by tying each leg tight and individually using the same rope and then pull all 4 tight together (see photo). Some people go a step further and tie the calf down to a pallet

Clip the area of the jugular extensively. Disinfect the area.

 A 1-2ml bleb of local anaesthetic is administered in the appropriate area subcutaneously above the jugular.

Lift the skin and do a small stab skin incision.

Push the supramid-loaded needle through the skin at the caudal side of the stab skin incision before the cannula is inserted.

Insert the cannula into the jugular and tie the wings in place using the pre-placed suture.

If you are finding it difficult to get the vein place the calf on a bale of straw, allow the head to hang down over the side, it easier to raise and find the vain then.

Attach on the drip and giving set, ensuring that all air is out of the giving set before attachment.