For the treatment and prevention of primary and secondary (thiocyanate type) iodine deficiency in sheep and cattle of all ages. Normally, one injection of iodised oil will supply sufficient iodine for a period of a year.

A. Treatment of iodine deficiency:

Animals with goitre, and those suspected of having subclinical iodine deficiency, should be treated with a single dose of Horizon Iodine Injection at a dose rate of 3mL in calves, and 1.5mL in lambs. It is also recommended that ewes be treated at a dose rate of 1.5mL/50kg and cows be treated at a dose rate of 1mL/100kg when goitre is detected in lambs and calves.

B. Prevention of primary iodine deficiency:

• Lambs: Treat at weaning

• Ewes: Treat one month before mating, or not less than two months before lambing

• Rams: Treat one month before mating

• Calves: Treat at weaning

• Cattle: Treat one month before mating, or not less than two months before calving

C. Prevention of induced iodine deficiency:

All Stock: Treat at least two months prior to the feeding of Brassica or other goitrogenic (goitre-producing) crops. Repeat treatment annually to avoid subclinical iodine deficiency. Dairy cattle may require more frequent treatment to maintain adequate iodine levels.

By law the user must take due care, obtaining expert advice when necessary, to avoid unnecessary pain and distress when using the product other than as directed on the label.

It is recommended that veterinary advice is sought before using this product when iodine supplementation has not been used previously.

For intramuscular injection in the anterior half of the neck.

• Sheep & Lambs: 1.5mL

  Cattle: 1mL/100kg body weight

Horizon Iodine Injection can be injected through a 16 gauge needle, and is suitable for administration by using a draw-off tube and injector. Under cold ambient conditions, the bottle may be warmed at 20-25°C to improve flow through the injector and needle. If warming the product in a water bath, the pack must be kept upright at all times, and the top of the pack must not be immersed to minimise the risk of contamination. Use clean potable water at each use.

NOTE: CAUTION: Not suitable for use if contents remain cloudy, even after slight warming.

IODINE DEFICIENCY

Iodine is an essential element and deficiency can lead to a number of diseases, both clinical and subclinical, which are often more common in young, growing animals and lactating females. It is required by the thyroid gland for the manufacture of thyroxine (T4) and the metabolic hormone tri-iodothyronine (T3). The most common sign of iodine deficiency in domestic species is goitre or swelling of the thyroid gland, which is most often seen in very young lambs, kids and calves. Subclinical iodine deficiency may be related to reduced neonatal survival, effects on the development of the central nervous system, gonads, heart, lungs, skin and hair follicles, as well as prolonged gestation and a higher frequency of assisted births, especially in the ewe. Two forms of iodine deficiency are recognised, primary and secondary, the latter being the more common under New Zealand conditions. Primary iodine deficiency is caused by an inadequate dietary intake of this mineral, because many New Zealand pastures and winter root crops contain inadequate amounts of iodine. Secondary deficiency is caused by the ingestion of goitrogens from brassicas and clover pastures. Many of these plant species contain glucosinolates, which are converted to thiocyanate ions in the rumen. Thiocyanate ions compete with iodine for uptake by the thyroid gland, limiting availability of iodine for thyroxine biosynthesis.

DIAGNOSIS OF IODINE DEFICIENCY

A variety of criteria have been used to diagnose iodine deficiency in grazing ruminants, none of which is completely reliable. The concentration of thyroid hormone levels (T3, T4) in the blood appears to be an unreliable indicator of iodine status of ruminants as is the iodine content of pasture. Goitre in lambs is the principal sign of deficiency, especially when a number of lambs in the flock are affected, and in subclinical situations, the relative size of the neonatal thyroid gland has been found to be useful in quantifying deficiency. A ratio of neonatal thyroid weight (g) to body weight (kg) exceeding 0.4 has been found to be associated with higher lamb mortality. Urine iodine is thought to offer a more accurate way of measuring body iodine status in sheep, and has been used extensively in humans. However, because urine samples can be difficult to collect from sheep and because the test is not always readily available, this diagnostic option is not used commonly. Because selenium is required for the synthesis of iodothyronine deiodinase (ID-I), one of the enzymes responsible for the conversion of thyroxine to tri-iodothyronine, selenium deficiency can contribute to hypothyroidism. Therefore, it is recommended that the selenium status of sheep at risk from iodine deficiency be monitored to ensure that selenium deficiency does not complicate a primary or secondary iodine deficiency. Iodine deficient sheep that are also selenium deficient may not respond to iodine supplementation.

ACTION OF IODISED OIL

The oil is released slowly from its depot site in the muscle of the neck from where it is transported to the regional lymph nodes. From here, it is metabolised to fatty acids and free iodine over a period of months. The product is capable of treating both primary and secondary iodine deficiencies, the latter by competing with goitrogens of the thiocyanate type at the level of the thyroid gland. Normally, one injection of iodised oil will supply sufficient iodine for a period of a year.

It is an offence for users of this product to cause residues exceeding the relevant MRL in the Food Notice: Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds.

Milk and Meat: NIL

READ LABEL BEFORE USE

Causes serious eye irritation. May cause an allergic skin reaction. May cause harm to breast-fed children. May cause damage to organs from prolonged or repeated exposure.

HANDLING PRECAUTIONS

Obtain special instructions before use. Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood. Do not breathe vapours or mists. Avoid contact during pregnancy and while nursing. In case of accidental self-injection, seek immediate medical advice/attention. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. When handling wear waterproof gloves, protective clothing and eye protection. Avoid contact with eyes. Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. Contaminated clothing should not be allowed out of the work place. Take off contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse.

FIRST AID 

If exposed or concerned or you feel unwell, get medical advice/attention. If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand. For advice contact the National Poisons Centre – 0800 POISON (0800 764 766) – or a doctor, immediately. If swallowed do NOT induce vomiting. If in the eyes, rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. If eye irritation persists, get medical advice/attention. If on skin wash with plenty of soap and water. If skin irritation or rash occurs get medical advice/attention.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life. Avoid release to the environment.

DISPOSAL

Preferably dispose of the product by use. Otherwise dispose of product and packaging in an approved landfill or other approved facility.

STORAGE

Store below 25°C. Do not freeze. Protect from light. Always store in original container with draw-off removed. Once opened must be used in 3 months.