A:   Following are some general questions that you might have about using banding as a method of castrating a bull. This is using the California Bander.

How do I know that the rubber is tight enough? When you have stretched the rubber until the free stretch is gone ( in other words until the rubber doesn't want to freely stretch any more - 15 to 20 lbs pull) then pull the stretched rubber around the scrotal sac and pull it down into the corner of the "T" slot. The large diameter surgical tubing has a lot of free stretch so that it continues to constrict even after the sac starts to dry up.

1. It is important to keep the ligand stretched as you pull it around. How big/small an animal can I do? You can apply the ligand on animals that are very young as long as you can feel that both testis are down when you grasp the scrotal sac. It works best if you can keep at least 1" between the band and the abdominal wall. There is no upper limit on the size of animal you can castrate.

2. How long does it take to fall off? The average time for spontaneous detachment is 28 days +/- 9.8 days, or from 18 to 37 days.

3. Do I have to crimp the clips? No you don't. The "T" slot will hold the rubber ligand without crimping when is is applied correctly. Make sure that the rubber is pulled completely into the corner of the "T" slot.

4. Do you apply them from the back or the side? We typically use a squeeze on animals over 250 lbs. We prefer to applied the ligands from the right side and the back.

5. Do I have to give a tetanus toxoid vaccine? As with all banding operations a tetanus toxoid vaccine is recommended. This becomes more important the older the animal is. Banding does not introduce tetanus into the system but does create an anaerobic (oxygen free) environment which is needed for tetanus to grow. The manufacturer's instructions should be followed closely.

The first 28 or so days after banding, the gain will be reduced. After the 28 day period, they will gain within a normal range.