Use hotshot on pregnant heifers/cows?

[garyws]

I'm wondering if use of an electrical prod might adversely affect an embryo, fetus, or even a well developed unborn. Especially since we most always hit them in the hind leg to make them move forward. Anybody know if a study has been done (in a vet school or otherwise) on this? Don't want to cause any abortions. Just wondering. Thanks!

 

[greybeard]

Never heard of the shock itself causing any damage to a fetus, tho I guess the heifer's reaction to the shock may have caused one or 2 cases of damage--no more so than an older momma cow tho. That uterus is pretty well protected and if my own experience with shock is any indication, the pain is all along the exterior parts of the body--the lightning strike being an exception..

 

[Ryder]

Doubt if any actual studies have been done but I would not think there would be any cause for concern. That is if just to make them move along. Not run them or overly stress.

 

[backhoeboogie]

A hot shot has a positive and negative electrode. The charge is isolated to the point of touch. You are never touching an embryo.

 

[dun]

Unless they are already totally nuts I can;t see ever using a hotshot on anything. Persoanl opinion of course. I've used one a few times but it was more for protection then moving cattle.

 

[TCRanch]

Unless they are already totally nuts I can;t see ever using a hotshot on anything. Persoanl opinion of course. I've used one a few times but it was more for protection then moving cattle.

I've used it once - and she was on fire, before & after so I'm not sure I really accomplished anything.

 

[dun]

Unless they are already totally nuts I can;t see ever using a hotshot on anything. Persoanl opinion of course. I've used one a few times but it was more for protection then moving cattle.

I've used it once - and she was on fire, before & after so I'm not sure I really accomplished anything.

That's the reason our vet will pack up and leave if someone breaks out a hotshot. He claims the only times he's really been hurt working cattle was when a hotshot was used.

 

[Cross-7]

Unless they are already totally nuts I can;t see ever using a hotshot on anything. Persoanl opinion of course. I've used one a few times but it was more for protection then moving cattle.

X2

I like slow, quiet and easy.
A hot shot doesn't promote that.
Not to say I don't own one or use one when you get one that flat won't load in a trailer after time and patience have been exhausted

 

[TCRanch]

Unless they are already totally nuts I can;t see ever using a hotshot on anything. Persoanl opinion of course. I've used one a few times but it was more for protection then moving cattle.

X2

I like slow, quiet and easy.
A hot shot doesn't promote that.
Not to say I don't own one or use one when you get one that flat won't load in a trailer after time and patience have been exhausted

On more than one occasion we've simply walked away from the corral trying to load one that's all fired up and I'll be damned if they didn't just get in on their own.

 

[Commercialfarmer]

If Im doing the preg checking or AI'ing. I'd rather not use it in those situations. But sometimes if the facilities aren't ideal, I believe a little zap decreases the overall stess of cow vs being handled and handled and handled to try to move her through the system.

Grab it quicker working stockers and calves that are backed up and made up their mind they aren't going to go forward. Less comotion to get the other cattle worked up.

Yelling and hollering is much worse than a hot shot. So is sitting there prodding and prodding them and such. Set up the alley to not interfer with their advancing, a little zap if they won't go and it should be a done deal. No body gets real worked up. I don't like pregging afterward because they are little more tense, so I'm not saying zero effect, but a good option at times when they aren't flowing well.

I've been zapped by them. Some store a charge in them. Got hit in the cheek once by one sitting up along the alley. It got my attention, but it's nothing like an electric fence.

A tool that has its place when used and not abused. Same as prods, whips, paddles, and dogs.

Edit: i get the far majority to advance with just using their flight zones, talking to them and tapping their back end.

 

[garyws]

A hot shot has a positive and negative electrode. The charge is isolated to the point of touch. You are never touching an embryo.

That's good news. Just don't want to cause trouble. Thanks.

 

[plumber_greg]

I agree with comm farmer. There's nothing wrong when used correctly. gs

 

[Ky hills]

I don't like to use a hotshot on my cattle at all, I like to work or sort my cattle as quietly and gently as possible. I do admit that there might be some instances where it might be easier than to try to prod a stubborn animal. We have a Santa Gertrudis cow that sometimes just gets worked in the alley way, as she is gentle and determined not to budge, if pushed much she gets irritated and starts kicking. I did get a hotshot years ago, as somebody recommended that I get one to carry when I had a Suffolk ram that was very aggressive.

 

[backhoeboogie]

I don't like to use a hotshot on my cattle at all

Does anyone like to use them?

When a cow or bull stops in the middle of the chute and won't budge, I don't quit and go home. I simply go get something to make them move when a paddle or bar won't. Usually have to check the batteries because it doesn't get used much.

 

[Lazy M]

I agree with comm farmer. There's nothing wrong when used correctly. gs

Agree. I have many that I'd have to beat half to death to make them walk thru the shoot. One zap and they're moving.

 

[Ky hills]

I don't like to use a hotshot on my cattle at all

Does anyone like to use them?

When a cow or bull stops in the middle of the chute and won't budge, I don't quit and go home. I simply go get something to make them move when a paddle or bar won't. Usually have to check the batteries because it doesn't get used much.

I hope that no one likes to use them :lol: . The reason I made that statement earlier was several years ago, one of the local vets would want to use a hotshot right off the bat when he came to work cattle. One of our AI techs at the time used to say that using a hotshot like that was fine for them on someone else's cattle, but not for the person that owned or worked with the cattle the rest of the time.
I agree Backhoe boogie, we don't quit and go home either, we try to get them on down the alleyway and into the chute, as calmly as possible and sometimes it seems to be a battle of wills. Some of our cattle are so gentle that they can be really stubborn. Our stubborn Santa Gertrudis got mad at efforts to encourage her to go in the chute and started her kicking routine. The vet got his hotshot to give her some more motivation to move, she did after some bellers and more kicking.
I was ok with using it in that case, as she can take a lot of time and effort if she gets her way, he rightfully said she needed to learn she couldn't get her way on that.

 

[M-5]

a hot shot is just another tool , when used correctly it is helpful . It is only just a little discomfort to one spot if you just zap it. now if your stupid enough to mash the button and bury it in their rear and never let up I hope she turns around and mashes you in the dirt. I have been hit with a hot shot many times and it has no lasting effects.

 

[Cross-7]

a hot shot is just another tool , when used correctly it is helpful . It is only just a little discomfort to one spot if you just zap it. now if your stupid enough to mash the button and bury it in their rear and never let up I hope she turns around and mashes you in the dirt. I have been hit with a hot shot many times and it has no lasting effects.

I'm not convinced