The Westergun is a simple, rugged solution for administering injections to cattle, deer and pigs when close contact is impractical or unsafe. Designed and refined by a Canadian rancher, it is popular with cattle producers and live exporters because it lets a single operator treat animals from a safe distance with speed and consistency.
Key benefits
- allows treatments from a distance, reducing risk to stockmen and stress on animals
- single-person operation; use on foot, horseback or from a moving vehicle
- fast delivery: syringe contents discharge automatically on needle insertion
- light, durable construction for field work
Product specification (summary)
- construction: lightweight aluminium
- mechanism: spring-activated impact injector
- collapsed length: 0.95 m; extended length: 1.42 m
- syringe: 10 mL BD syringe with luer nozzle
- needle: 14G stainless reusable needles; 1.0" (25 mm) and 1.5" (38 mm) options available
- intended uses: intramuscular injections to neck or rump (not into back of leg due to sciatic nerve risk)
When the Westergun is appropriate
- treating paddock cattle where mustering or yarding would cause undue stress or be unsafe
- urgent treatment for lame or severely ill animals that cannot be handled easily
Practical tips for reliable results
- plan and set up before you approach. you usually have one chance.
- distract or herd the target animal using grain, a bucket or hem in with other cattle in a pen corner so it cannot turn away. avoid predator posture and direct eye contact.
- aim for neck or rump muscle; avoid the precise centre of the rear leg to minimise sciatic nerve risk.
- use the correct syringe and needle: do not use thin or undersized needles—undersized needles can cause syringe rupture or incomplete dose delivery.
- keep the unit and needles scrupulously clean; inspect moving parts and springs for obstruction. use reusable stainless needles to reduce breakage risk.
- practice injecting into a rolled up towel pushed into a corner before using on animals.
Safety and animal welfare
- avoid injecting the back of the leg to reduce risk of hitting the sciatic nerve.
- ensure the animal is safely hemmed in to prevent sudden movement when firing.
- use only appropriate, registered drugs and follow withholding periods and dosing instructions.
- disinfect needles and syringes between animals if the product and protocol allow; follow biosecurity protocols.
Why choose the Westergun
The Westergun is not a substitute for proper handling facilities, but it is an effective, practical tool when those facilities are not available. Its simple, robust design, single-person handling and long reach make it a valuable addition to on-farm toolkits where timely treatment and reduced handling stress matter.
To order or for more technical details and spare parts (needles, syringes and service), see Livestock Health Systems or our product page at livestockhealthsystems.com.