Medi-Dart extension pole (MDP) 4'-8'

Details

Sorting one animal out of a bunch to treat her puts the whole group through the gate, up the alley and off feed for the day. The extension pole is the middle ground between that and shooting a dart: you walk up, reach out and treat the animal where she stands. The pole is fibreglass and telescopes from 1.2 m to 2.4 m (4 ft to 8 ft), locking with a twist collar. Clockwise tightens and counter-clockwise loosens, which means you can adjust the reach one-handed with the syringe already loaded. Set it short in a crowded pen and long when you need to stay outside kicking range. Medi-Dart is specific about technique with the pole. Poke the animal firmly and perpendicular to the hide, then pull the pole straight back. If the needle does not go fully in on the first attempt, do not try to drive it deeper. Back off and set up again. That instruction exists because the ejection depends on the needle being in square. This is the pole on its own. It carries the Medi-Dart extension syringe, not the crossbow dart, and if you are starting from nothing the complete pole extension kit is the item that includes a pole, syringe, air pump, castor oil and the manual. The pole itself is durable equipment rather than a consumable. What you administer through the syringe is a matter for your veterinarian and the product label.