For how long can a multi dose vial be reused?

Hi John,

First of all there will be a used by date listed on the container, and the product should be good until that date at the very least, PROVIDING the contents of the multi dose vial has not become contaminated by poor handling procedures.

In this respect it is absolutely essential that prior to each dose being taken from the vial, the top of the vial is swabbed with an alcohol swab. It is also essential that a clean sterile needle and syringe is used to extract the correct amount from the vial.

While I have seen people reuse a syringe for a specific injection by simply fitting a new disposable needle to the syringe, this practice is fraught with danger as it is easier to withdraw a quantity of the injectable from a vial if you first of all inject about the same quantity of air into the vial as the amount about to be withdrawn, and therefore reusing a syringe may cause contamination to be injected into the vial during that procedure.

In my opinion for the dogs sake it is also essential that the needle used to push through the rubber plunger and used to withdraw a specific amount from the vial is NOT used to then inject that quantity into the dog, but that a fresh needle is placed on the syringe for use during the actual injection.
Simply because there is no doubt in my mind that pushing the needle through the rubber seal of the vial is going to blunt most needles and you will cause excessive pain to the dog by using it.

By using a fresh needle on the syringe after withdrawing the amount to be injected it also provides the opportunity to use a much larger bore needle to be placed on the syringe to withdraw the required quantity much faster, and then using the sppropriate fine needle for the injection. Again to minimize pain to the dog from having a needle inserted.

Another poor sterile practice that I have seen used consisted of leaving a large bore needle permanently stuck in the top of the vial to make it simple to withdraw the required quantity, while a time saver it could also contribute to contaminating the content of the vial.

Cheers,
Tom

PS. While it should be self evident, what I have forgotten to mention is that the skin of the greyhound should be sterilized at the intended injection site with a suitable isopropyl alcohol swab.
The often used substitute of methylated spirits is not a good idea because if any is accidentally injected under the skin by the virtue of pushing a needle through the skin it will cause a painful burning sensation for the dog, and possible an allergic reaction.
Whatever method is used to sterilize the skin it is best if the solution used is allowed to dry before any injecting is done.