cattle injection systems

Arkansas · Jun 8, 2011

I know this is a tractor forum, but I also know there's a lot of knowledge here about cattle.
I would like to here from you folks who have used and/or know someone who does, have one of those 'dart' guns for medicating cattle. I don't know anyone who had used one. I have done some research, and obviously every manufacturer claims to be the best.
The are many variations of firing the 'dart'; cross bows, long bows, rifles, pistols, blowguns :shock: , but the primary purpose for my use would be if I had a single cow that needed medicated, I can see some advantage to being able to drive out and shoot, versus trying to single one from the herd into the working pen/shoot, which might be a half mile away.
The 'dart guns' I have seen on the web generally offer a 20-50 foot range, which is plenty for me.
Any comments or suggestions appreciated. Initial cost is not as much a factor for me as function, reliability, and continued cost of replacement items

Pair-a-dice farm · Jun 8, 2011

I've got a neighbor that hasone that I borrow from time to time. I don't know the brand but it's basically a single shot shotgun. The dart is powered by a .22 blank. It's good for 20-25 feet but not much more. They are pretty handy when a working coral isn't available but it is kind of pricy per shot and the tranquilizer and wake-up shot is only available from the vet.

BCnT · Jun 8, 2011

theres too many variables intra muscular...intravenous...just under the skin...different medicines have different injections...you'd be well advised to invest in a squeeze chute or at least a head gate instead of toys off the internet...note the term "working" in the phrase working cattle...there are easier ways of doing it but they all require work.

Arkansas · Jun 8, 2011

I have a working pen/shoot and head gate that I use when 'working' the cattle at regular intervals. What I'm interested in is intra-muscular injection, for meds, when I only have one that needs it. I thought this method of medicating would be less work for me, less stress on the cattle, if I could medicate without having to try singling one out from the herd and move to the squeeze.
I know the cost per shot is more, so I would never use it as my preferred method. But I've had times when it would be better to be able to offer a dose without dealing with the entire herd, or moving that herd (for one cow), to give meds.
I appreciate all the comments

bison · Jun 8, 2011

I got one of these dart guns,its a "Cap-Chur power projector" as they call it.
Its basicly a 32 caliber single shot rifle adapted for shooting aluminum darts with a .22 blanc.

I use it on my Buffalo.It works fine.
I don't use it often but would not wanna be without it.

Jerry/MT · Jun 8, 2011

If you are going to raise cattle you might as well build a little corral with an alleyway and at least a headgate. A squeeze chute would evn be better. You can use it for routine vaccinations, bangs vaccinations which most states require be given by a DVM, as well a preg checking or helping out with a difficult calving situation or doctoring a sick animal.

Some injectables are given intramuscularly(IM) and some are give subcutaneously(SQ) and in a specific area(neck muscles)to meet the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) guidelines.

Dart guns are normally use to tranquilize wild or severly injured animals, not for routine vaccinations.

bison · Jun 9, 2011

These guns are not meant for mass vaccination.
They are however ideal for medicating the odd animal without putting stress on them or the whole herd.It beats roping one or running the whole herd into the corral just to get the one.

There are a whole variety of needles,syringe sizes and power loads avalable to medicate just under the skin or intra musculair.

Anonymous-0 · Jun 9, 2011

if you ever get across the smokey looking forward to a good buffalo steak yum!

Arkansas · Jun 9, 2011

(quoted from post at 21:47:27 06/08/11) If you are going to raise cattle you might as well build a little corral with an alleyway and at least a headgate. A squeeze chute would evn be better. You can use it for routine vaccinations, bangs vaccinations which most states require be given by a DVM, as well a preg checking or helping out with a difficult calving situation or doctoring a sick animal.

Some injectables are given intramuscularly(IM) and some are give subcutaneously(SQ) and in a specific area(neck muscles)to meet the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) guidelines.

Dart guns are normally use to tranquilize wild or severly injured animals, not for routine vaccinations.

Please re-read both my previous post.

randallnMo · Jun 9, 2011

They work good to treat an isolated case/animal. I use one that shoots a dart from a bow. I primarily use mine to tranquilize my bull if I need to treat him for something or whatever. (He's too big to fit into my squeeze chute) The dart guns/bows injectors are not meant to deliver large doses of medicine. Two years ago my bull developed a bad foot in the summer. I put him down with the dart bow and treated him for the bad foot. Sprayed him for flies at the same time. He just layed there like a lamb. You have to be careful and not over-dose them because sometimes they don't wake up. It usually takes 10-15 minutes for them to lay down and stay there. Now, listen up. Do NOT use the tranquilizer in real cold weather. It slows their metabolism down too much and coupled with the cold ground, they can and WILL die on you. Cattle lose their ability to regulate their body temperature with this stuff, they chill out and next thing you know, they don't wake up. Care should also be taken in extreme heat. Ususally, early morning or late evening in the summer is preferred over mid-day.

Arkansas · Jun 9, 2011

Thank you all for your replies. I've since talked to a fellow that has one, and uses it for the purpose I have described. Based on some of the info I've recieved here, and another forum, and talking to a man that has one, I'm gettin one.
For those of you that have replied, that think these tools are toys, and/or insisting that these devices cannot (or should not) replace a working shoot, squeeze shoot, headgate, I am not doing that. I have all the above. I only want a tool that will allow me to deliver meds to a single cow/calf on rare occations, and only when it's appropriate, meaning less stress on that animal, less stress on the rest of the herd, and less work (TIME) for me. I have one working area, and several rotation pasture areas. They are not always easy to move in a timely manner.
After I get the tool, and use it, I'll post results

bison · Jun 9, 2011

You got to be kidding here.

I have shot them plenty at 50 yards or better with my gun
there's is heavier power loads for further distances.

bison · Jun 9, 2011

You got to be kidding here.

I have shot them plenty at 50 yards or better with my gun
there's is heavier power loads for further distances.

Arkansas · Jun 9, 2011

(quoted from post at 18:58:54 06/09/11) You got to be kidding here.

I have shot them plenty at 50 yards or better with my gun
there's is heavier power loads for further distances.

I don't know if you're talking to me or someone else. But, I HAVE AN UPDATE:
Unbeknownst to me, since my post a couple hours ago, I learned that I have a neighbor who has a crossbow model. He came over and shot 12cc of penicillin in my sickly heifer. I can say I'm very impressed with the lack of stress on the herd and the lack of time/work.
My cattle are relatively gentle; I can walk very close to them, and alot of the older momma's will let me rub all over them, but the younger ones are a bit skitish. We walked in to the herd, and from a distance of approx 30 feet, shot the projectile, it dispensed is meds, and pushed itself back out in about 15 seconds. Cool

bison · Jun 10, 2011

Arkansas,I was replying to the fella that said a rifle is only good for 25'

A bow works fine on quiet cattle.
My buffalo spook easy an need something with more range.

Arkansas · Jun 10, 2011

(quoted from post at 22:09:48 06/09/11) Arkansas,I was replying to the fella that said a rifle is only good for 25'

A bow works fine on quiet cattle.
My buffalo spook easy an need something with more range.

Gotcha, Thanks. Glad to hear someone else like yourself is employing the use of such a great tool. That helped me make my decision to get one.

Arkansas · Jun 10, 2011

UPDATE: for those that are interested. Unbeknownst to me until last evening, I have a neighbor (a bit distant, but still my neighbor) who has a crossbow model. He came over and doctored a sickly yearling heifer for me last evening, and this evening I bought the Medi-Dart crossbow. I delivered 2 shots of meds (approx 5 minutes apart, cause that's how long it took my inexperienced arse to reload), and the herd didn't move more than 25 yards the whole time. Crossbow makes very little noise, and the heifer was much less offended than if I had her in the shoot.
Works as advertised and will be great for the occational sickly one, without dealing with the whole herd

cattle injection systems

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