Abstract: Provided is a method for treating animals, such as livestock, by exposing the animals to an airborne suspension of finely divided mineral salts. Treatment is effected upon inspiration of the mineral salts or skin contact with the mineral salts. The animals are accommodated in a treatment chamber with a substantially sealed limited confined volume and has a pressure difference airflow means, a dispensing means for the mineral salts and desiccant(s) in the walls and on the floor of the treatment chamber. The treatment chamber is a stationary installation or adapted as a trailer to treat animals during a journey or to transport the treatment chamber to the animals location, for example, a zoo or to apiaries.

Abstract: A dog wash and method for simultaneously washing multiple sides of a dog is disclosed. The dog wash comprises a spray assembly slideably attached to rails of a track assembly. One or more nozzle assemblies are positioned along the uptubes and spanner bar of the spray assembly to deliver water to the top and side surfaces of the dog at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention is a cattle footbath utilized to clean debris off of a cow's hoofs that includes a base path surface, a pair of side walls that are adjustably disposed on the base path surface and form a pathway to accommodate a cow to walk through, a pair of brushes that are disposed adjacently inward from the side walls where the bristles are facing inward towards the pathway and are in direct contact with the cow's hooves and a plurality of water nozzles that are directed towards the pathway. The footbath also includes a plurality of braces that are disposed behind the side walls to provide additional support to said side walls, a plurality of handles disposed on the base path surface to facilitate grasping and transporting the cattle foot bath and a plurality of attachment studs to secure the cattle footbath to a ground surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cleaning and caring for hooves or claws of livestock. In order to create a device for ensuring sufficient hygiene and cleanliness of hooves or claws of livestock, which device allows reliable disease prevention even in large herds, and, at the same time, can be operated with little work effort, it is proposed, within the scope of the invention, that a trough is provided, above which a walkway is disposed, on which the livestock can cross the trough, whereby nozzles are disposed in the region of the walkway, for spraying the hooves or claws with cleaning solution, and that at least one other nozzle is provided at the end of the walkway, which nozzle can be supplied with fresh care solution from a separate tank. The invention is based on the recognition that walk-through claw baths promote transfer of disease within a herd unless a bath change takes place very frequently, but in practice, this is hardly possible.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for confining livestock with a portable corral gate assembly comprising a bottom frame, a top frame, a plurality of vertical members releaseably interconnecting the bottom frame to the top frame, a plurality of first side members each pivotally attached to a first vertical member and a second end attached to and extending outwardly from a first flexible member attached to the top frame and extending downwardly therefrom, and a plurality of second side members each pivotally attached to a second vertical member and a second end attached to and extending outwardly from a second flexible member attached to the top frame and extending downwardly therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for applying bovine foot and hoof treatment compositions having two or more specific and complimentary antimicrobial components in a hoof bath just prior to use to work more effectively. These antimicrobial components may include antimicrobial inorganic salts of certain heavy metals, cationic agents, peroxides, aldehydes, fatty acids, iodines or other suitable compounds effective in the killing of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for applying bovine foot and hoof treatment compositions having two or more specific and complimentary antimicrobial components in a hoof bath just prior to use to work more effectively. These antimicrobial components may include antimicrobial inorganic salts of certain heavy metals, cationic agents, peroxides, aldehydes, fatty acids, iodines or other suitable compounds effective in the killing of microorganisms. The invention also relates to a foot bath system for delivery, retention, and drainage of foot bath chemicals and waste material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning station comprising a glass enclosure (2) in which the animals are prepared before and after washing. The glass enclosure (2) comprises the actual washing enclosure (1) and a control panel (3) which are controlled by a controller or PLC. According to the invention, the interior of the enclosure (1) is disinfected with each washing procedure. Moreover, the invention comprises: safety a mechanism for the hydraulic circuit and the electronics which are actuated when the door (72) of the enclosure (1) or the switchboard is opened, a frequency variator/converter which can be used to adjust the flow of air and water, and moisture and unpleasant odour extractors.

Abstract: A portable, towable livestock sprayer establishes a portal through which livestock move. A rigid, frame includes a removable tongue for connection to the draft vehicle. A pivoted, wheeled subframe hinged to the frame is switched between deployed or retracted orientations. The tongue fits to the subframe and functions as a leverage tool. With the sprayer properly positioned adjacent a livestock gate, a shroud assembly is deployed. Photo-eyes determine the presence and direction of travel of animals being sprayed. A pump system controls solution. The shroud transforms between a stable, compact transportation orientation, and a deployed orientation conformed to the required dimensions. Separate, extensible shroud wings are folded together during transportation, or separately deployed on opposite sides of the sprayer to block escape routes. Each wing comprises an inner section adapted to be removably coupled to the frame, and an outer section slidably telescoped to the inner section enabling width adjustments.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a pesticide to an animal includes a light beam emitter and detector arrangement for detecting the presence of the animal within an application zone. The arrangement is capable of generating a suitable signal upon detecting the animal. A plurality of nozzles for applying pesticide to the animal are provided. The nozzles are actuable upon receipt of the signal from the arrangment. The nozzles are suitably oriented with respect to the application zone so that the pesticide is applied to desired regions of the animal, the regions including a region between front legs of the animal. The invention extends to a method for applying a pesticide to an animal.

Abstract: Single or gangable multiplexed animal bathing stations comprise a rearward sloped wash platform between two side courtesy walls, along with a back splash wall and a rearward sloped floor. A wash platform--back splash wall drainage gap G improves drainage, cleanliness and efficiency, along with rearward tilted station floor angles .beta..sub.floor and wash platform angles .beta..sub.platform, which improve drainage and animal-groomer stance. Gangable animal bathing stations are disclosed that share common walls and effluent processing for passage to a central waste filtration and treatment means.

Abstract: A low maintenance, electrically controlled automatic spray bath employs a spray system to wash animals and subsequently deliver treatment and prevention products at a continuous, consistent dosage rate. The automatic spray bath comprises at least one component. Each component comprises four rails defining an enclosure through which animals are walked in one direction, one after the other. Each rail of each component has a plurality of nozzles. When one component is employed the nozzles are divided into sets. Each set of nozzles sprays either a cleaning fluid or a treatment fluid. When more than one component is employed, the nozzles of each component spray either a cleaning fluid or a treatment fluid. The components are modular and portable. As animals are led between a set of nozzles, an electric eye beam is broken, causing a check valve to allow liquid to flow from a remote reservoir.