Proper Remote Delivery Recommendations.

 Article courtesy of Pneu-Dart.

 When used properly, Remote Delivery Systems (RDS) are considered a vital tool helping ranchers raise, treat and work with the animals they care for.

Establish and Maintain a VCPR
Before using RDS, you should establish a Veterinarian Client/Patient Relationship (VCPR). This relationship exists when your veterinarian knows your animal well enough to diagnose and treat any medical condition that may occur. Your role in the VCPR is to allow your veterinarian to make clinical judgments about your animal’s health, while you ask questions for better understanding and execution of the guidance provided.

Type of RDDs
RDDs (Remote Delivery Devices, a.k.a. darts) are designed for specific types of projectors used to deliver the RDD itself.  Pneu-Dart Type C Remote Delivery Devices are built for Cartridge-Fired Projectors. Type P RDDs are for Air and Co2 Projectors, while Type U, previously described as Type P, have Flight Stabilizer Tails.

The RDD device capacity (ml/cc) correlates to the medication dose recommended by your veterinarian. Within the cattle industry, aluminum body RDD sizes 5cc – 10cc with gelatin collars are most commonly used for treatment.  Gelatin Collars are comprised of an inert material and are designed to keep the RDD in place until the injection is fully complete.  Several minutes post-delivery, the gelatin collar will liquefy, allowing the RDD to fall freely from the animal.  6cc – 10cc RDDs are designed to include flight stabilizers to ensure proper trajectory.  Lightweight, low-impact aluminum RDDs are optimal for flight and trajectory while minimizing trauma at the point of impact.  Pneu-Dart discourages the use of alternatives to aluminum noting that stewards of the various wildlife and livestock industries have demanded lighter-weight projectiles in recent years.

Light-weight projectiles reduce the potential for hematomas at the point of impact. According to experts, hematomas (coagulated blood) can cause delayed induction of the medication.  In turn, this can trigger a phenomenon known as secondary sedation and/or reduced efficacy of the medication itself.

A Quarter Inch Can Make A Difference!
A previously published report to a National Beef Association revealed the results of a study which demonstrated ALL intramuscular injections delivered by way of a hand syringe resulted in undesirable effects to the treated muscle tissue.  As a result, the beef industry has recommended cattle producers choose subcutaneous medications.

Not unlike administering medication with a hand syringe, if the administer selects an incorrect needle length or neglects to pierce the hide at a specific angle, medication intended for subcutaneous injection may inadvertently be delivered intramuscularly.  Therefore, selecting the incorrect cannula (needle) length for a remote drug delivery device is equally as  important as targeting the “O-Zone™” the triangular area of the neck of the animal.

Mechanically Adjustable Projectors
Not all projectors are the same.  Some models have Mechanically Adjusted Power Control Settings (Gas / Air flow regulation), while others do NOT.  There is a BIG difference!

Projectors that have the ability to regulate the amount of energy used to deliver the RDD are ideal. By regulating the muzzle velocity, any potential impact trauma and tissue damage is dramatically reduced.  Projectors which do NOT support Mechanically Adjustment Power Control settings pose a physical threat to the animal.

Practice! Practice! Practice!
Delivering treatment to any animal should not be viewed as a point and shoot endeavor. Practice is paramount with the goal of accurate shot placement and ideal impact speeds. With the assistance of Pneu-Dart provided trajectory charts, ideal muzzle velocity can be achieved to effectively deliver the RDD without causing harm to the animal.

RDS Education
Pneu-Dart provides a Free Online Remote Delivery Systems educational tutorial.  Enroll today by visiting education.pneudart.com.