Comparison of drug delivery devices for use in beef cattle.
D. T. Bechtol, DVM
Agri Research Center, Inc. Canyon, TX
ABSTRACT: A study was conducted to compare a Pneu-Dart Type U 7cc Slo-Inject Remote Delivery Device (RDD) to a hand syringe injection using normal processing procedures and a two- hand tented method with comparable needle length. Forty-eight mature cattle slated to be used were acclimated for seven days prior to study commencement. Cattle were weighed and blocked by bodyweight before being randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. Results are presented as visually compared injection site variance in the approved neck region utilizing a hand syringe with an industry standard 1/2-inch 16-gauge needle to a remote delivery device (RDD) equipped with a 1/2-inch 14 gauge or 3/4-inch tri-port 14-gauge cannula (needle). As used throughout this publication, approved neck region refers to injections made in accordance with the Beef Quality Assurance’s National Manual. Animals in each treatment group were euthanized by penetrating captive bolt followed by exsanguination. Injection sites were examined and evaluated. Tissue samples of both normal and injection site (classified as abnormal) were collected. These samples were transported to TVMDL (Texas A&M Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Amarillo, TX) for further evaluation. Gross necropsy reports, along with laboratory evaluations, support the conclusion that the remote delivery device equipped with a 1/2-inch 14-gauge needle is adequate for subcutaneous injections with least amount of muscle penetration, compared to a hand syringe, absent of ideal processing procedures and that of a remote delivery device supporting a 3/4-inch 14-gauge tri-port needle.