Does dart gun delivery of antibiotics cause changes in drug disposition or meat quality?

Abstract

Use of remote delivery devices in non-restrained cattle has increased in the last few years, and it is unknown whether this route will result in subcutaneous delivery, appropriate drug levels, or tissue damage. The objectives were to assess the plasma disposition of labeled doses of tulathromycin, tildopirosin, and ceftiofur crystalline free acid (CCFA) delivered via dart and to determine impact on meat quality.

Evaluating a Controlled Electromagnetic Launcher for Safe Remote Drug Delivery

“…The design presented in this work is expected to have applications primarily in industrial, scientific, and veterinary contexts. In industry, additive manufacturing systems have begun to incorporate ferrofluid deposition [3,6,7], wherein the presence of iron and other magnetic substances in the ferrofluid mixture means that a functional electromagnetic accelerator-such as a coilgun or railgun-can be used instead of a standard nozzle and thermo-mechanical extruder. Through lidar, our design facilitates a more accurate estimation of the distance between the extruder and printing tray, thereby enabling finer control of the material dispersion and layering process [3].…”

“…The syringe-like shape of existing darts is responsible for many complications [7,9]. If the dart travels too fast, it can injure or kill the target [10].…”