Drench guns are indispensable tools on livestock operations when administering oral dewormers or liquid medications. As with other tools on a cattle operation, it is important to know how to use these appropriately and maintain them.
When considering purchasing one over another, “It depends on which product you are using, how many cattle you are treating and the size of animal you are treating,” says Julia Herman, beef cattle specialist veterinarian with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. “Some products have specific syringes that provide dosage dials on the barrel that should be used. There are automatic self-filling syringes and others that will need to be refilled after each dose. Pick the drench gun that fits your needs.”
Drench guns have a small-diameter metal nozzle that can be angled or hooked. It is important to dial the drench gun to the weight of the animal, allowing you to correctly dose that particular animal. Having accurate weights of cattle is one key to the product working effectively.
Best practices for drench guns
For training and correct use, Herman encourages producers to work with their herd health veterinarian for advice. “We need to make sure that anyone treating cattle is trained on how to handle the animal safely and insert the drench gun into the mouth appropriately. Good facilities, including a head catch, are important for animal and human safety, especially when giving oral medications. If drench guns are used incorrectly, we can cause damage to the animal’s mouth or throat if we are too rough.”
For general best practices, Herman shares tips below:
- Drench guns are made of either metal or plastic. The nozzle or tip of the drench gun needs to be smooth with no burrs or sharp edges. If it becomes rough, such as from the animals’ teeth, it needs to be replaced. If there are any burrs or damage on the nozzles, you can unintentionally cause damage to the cheek, the tongue or the throat of the animal. Cattle will not want to eat or drink if this happens.
- When drenching, keep in mind that cattle have a lump on the back of their tongue called the torus linguae. Insert the nozzle on either the right or left side of the mouth. Ideally, the animal’s head should be held level to avoid the product running out of the mouth. Make sure the nozzle gently rolls over the back of the tongue to the back of the throat.
- Ensure the animal swallows the product as it is gradually administered. Too much pressure when administering could unintentionally harm the animal and cause aspiration pneumonia.
- Storage of the medication and equipment also plays a role in dewormer efficacy. Keep both out of sunlight or extreme temperatures during storage.
- Ensure cleanliness and maintenance of drenching guns after every use so they remain functional.
- Drench guns, if not cleaned between animals, could spread respiratory pathogens. To clean the drench gun between animals, have one bucket of water that will rinse off saliva and feed debris. Then, dunk the gun in a second bucket with disinfectant. When cleaning and disinfecting, read the label on the disinfectant to ensure the correct concentration.
- It is worth repeating that working with your veterinarian is key to training others on drenching appropriately and safely, for the cattle and the humans handling the cattle.
Dewormers in cattle
The cattle industry is seeing an increase in parasite resistance to deworming products. Applying the product according to the label, including dosage, route of administration and correct parasites, is important to reducing misuse and resistance development. Be sure to read the label of each product and use it for its intended parasite.
“Work with your veterinarian to make sure you're using the correct product for what your cattle are at risk for. There are certain parasites where drenching is more effective than pour-ons or an injectable, and vice versa, but it just depends on the parasites on the operation,” Herman adds. “Accurate weights on the different groups of cattle are also important to ensure they are getting the right dose.”
Refer to Herman’s tips above, and work with your veterinarian to help steer you in the right direction.
