Chemical Immobilization Equipment: Darts

Darts used to chemically immobilize wild animals come in a variety of sizes, volumes and configurations depending upon the remote delivery system being used. Dart guns are commonly available in rifle, shotgun and pistol models. Dart guns usually employ either powder-charged blank cartridges, compressed CO₂ or compressed air.

Guns that use CO₂ or compressed air have a shorter range shorter than those of powder-charged equipment. Range can also be impacted by the dart size being used. Compressed-air systems have an effective range of up to 50 meters, while CO₂ projectors can deliver a dart up to 70 meters. Powder-charged systems can deliver darts at distances up to 120 meters, although there is a higher risk for impact injury with these systems.¹

Dart Components

Darts are typically not interchangeable between projection system types, and there are both single-use and disposable darts commercially available.

Darts used for chemical immobilization consist of five parts:

• Needle
• Syringe barrel
• Plunger
• Injection media (drugs)
• Tailpiece

Syringes are usually made of aluminum or plastic. Aluminum darts are more resistant to damage than plastic darts. Some dart needles have barbs or collars that serve to retain the dart in an animal, while others are smooth. Needles have one of two port types: The standard beveled front opening, or a side port.² The latter type is less likely to become plugged with tissue or skin, but needles with end ports expel their contents more rapidly.¹

There are several different mechanisms that can be used to advance the dart plunger for injection of a drug once the dart has impacted an animal. Some darts use butane gas or air that is introduced through the tail end of the dart and compressed behind the plunger; others use a tailpiece with a coiled spring that compresses behind the plunger when the tailpiece is screwed onto the dart.¹ An internal triggering system that is activated upon impact causes the gas, air or coil to be released, pushing the plunger forward. Other discharge mechanisms use a chemical reaction triggered by the mixture of two chemicals upon impact, or a small explosive charge behind the plunger.

Tailpieces (or stabilizers) consist of strands of fabric or plastic fins. These serve to streamlines and balance the dart as it is projected, as well as forming a seal in the barrel of the projection device.¹

Interested in learning more about safe capture? The San Diego Zoo now offers courses in safe capture techniques and best practices. Learn reliable, safe, and effective techniques for the species you work with and the scenarios you encounter!

¹Smith, A. Remote injection systems for exotic animals. Proc TNAVC 9:716-718, 1995.

²Arnemo, J., Kreeger, T. (2018). Handbook of Wildlife Chemical Immobilization 5th Ed. Sunquest Publishing, 2007, 432 pages.

About NexGen Pharmaceuticals

NexGen Pharmaceuticals is an industry-leading veterinary compounding pharmacy, offering sterile and non-sterile compounding services nationwide. Unlike other veterinary compounding pharmacies, NexGen focuses on drugs that are difficult to find or are no longer available due to manufacturer discontinuance or have yet to be offered commercially for veterinary applications, but which still serve a critical need for our customers. We also specialize in wildlife pharmaceuticals, including sedatives and their antagonists, offering many unique options to serve a wide array of zoo animal and wildlife immobilization and anesthesia requirements.

Our pharmacists are also encouraged to develop strong working relationships with our veterinarians in order to better care for veterinary patients. Such relationships foster an ever-increasing knowledge base upon which pharmacists and veterinarians can draw, making both significantly more effective in their professional roles.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this blog post is general in nature and is intended for use as an informational aid. It does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of the medications shown, nor is the information intended as medical advice or diagnosis for individual health problems or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of using a particular medication. You should consult your veterinarian about diagnosis and treatment of any health problems. Information and statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), nor has the FDA approved the medications to diagnose, cure or prevent disease. Medications compounded by NexGen Pharmaceuticals are prepared at the direction of a veterinarian. NexGen Pharmaceuticals compounded veterinary preparations are not intended for use in food and food-producing animals.

NexGen Pharmaceuticals, LLC does not recommend, endorse or make any representation about the efficacy, appropriateness or suitability of any specific dosing, products, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, veterinary care providers or other information that may be contained in this blog post. NEXGEN PHARMACEUTICALS, LLC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE FOR ANY ADVICE, COURSE OF TREATMENT, DIAGNOSIS OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION, SERVICES OR PRODUCTS THAT YOU OBTAIN THROUGH THIS BLOG POST.