INJECTION DEVICE

An injection device particularly suitable for the intraruminal injection of medicaments into ruminants is described. The injection device is characterized by a needle carrying means and a needle actuation means, which are operatively coupled such that the needle actuation means permits movement of the needle carrying means from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein the needle is capable of piercing the rumen, only when the needle carrying means is in a preferred orientation (e.g. perpendicular) to the surface of the host animal at the injection site. The injection device is further characterized by a dose delivery actuation means which is responsive to the relative position of the needle carrying means and the needle actuation means such that the dose is delivered to the host animal only when the needle carrying means and the needle actuation means are in a preferred position relative to each other. The characteristic features of the described injection device substantially prevent the application of a dose to a host animal not within an intended dose delivery area.