Remote Drug Delivery

Whether you use a syringe or a remote drug delivery device (RDDD), proper injection technique is important. RDDDs–such as dart guns, pole syringes and crossbows designed for administering injections–can pose a challenge to achieving treatment best practices. However, every effort must be made to ensure human, animal and food safety are top priority.

RDDDs offer beef cattle producers an option to administer drugs in cases where traditional delivery is not possible, such as remote locations without handling facilities or when dealing with difficult animals. Producers choosing to use RDDDs should have appropriate training, technique and drug selection in consultation with a veterinarian.

One-page flier on best practices for RDDD:

QR code for veterinarian prescription labels:

Printed tri-fold brochure for veterinarian offices:

Printed safety brochures are available through Western Drug Distribution Center or by contacting the BCRC.

“Producing quality, wholesome and safe meat should be everyone’s goal. Darting for treatment is a last option and should be pretty infrequent, but if you utilize RDD, do so following the guidelines as close as possible.” – Alberta veterinarian Dr. Roy Lewis

Click to read “Remote Drug Delivery Devices: What You Need to Know,” by Dr. Lewis

“If we have handling facilities available, or any other method of restraining and treating these animals, we should select those options first. Remote delivery devices should be used only as a last resort for a small minority of treatments in situations where animal welfare is a concern and there are no other options.” – Dr. John Campbell, Western College of Veterinary Medicine

Click to read “Remote delivery of antimicrobials should be a last resort,” by Dr. Campbell

Over the last two decades, great strides have been made in standardizing beef cattle injection techniques and methods. Today, there are animal injection best practices that have become widely known in the beef industry as “just the right thing to do.” These recommendations are to help farmers produce safe beef for the consumer and maintain Canada’s high reputation for beef quality. 

Click to read the BCRC post: Understanding the Five W’s of Cattle Injections: Who, What, When, Where & Why

These RDDD resources were developed in collaboration with Verified Beef Production Plus.