Abstract: A pet headgear comprises two halves operable in “clamshell” fashion to surround the head, nose and mouth of a pet, to facilitate handling of the pet in familiar or especially unfamiliar environments, such as veterinary offices, groomers, kennels or during transporting. The clamshell hinges at one end, preferably a caudal end, so it may be applied from behind the pet and the two halves biased medially to close the shell about the pet's head, prior to latching the halves closed. Openings may be provided for access to the pet's ears, nose, teeth, and/or mouth. A pleasant sensory zone (PSZ) or module may be added to quiet and appease the pet and habituate them to the headgear through positive reinforcement.

Abstract: A vest can be worn by a visually impaired pet, such as a dog, to help the pet navigate without hurting themselves by bumping into walls or objects. The vest includes plastic tubing with wire woven therein. The tubing is shaped like a halo that surrounds the front and sides of the pet's head. Should the visually impaired pet run into an object or wall, the halo will hit before their head hits and the pet will turn away before injuring themselves. The vest can be worn about their torso with their front legs fitting in leg holes of the vest. The vest can be adjustable to fit a range of pet sizes. The halo can also be adjustable to provide safe navigation of the pet. Typically, the vest is designed for dogs, but other visually impaired pets or animals may benefit by using the vest.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering a composition to a bird. A selected dosage of the composition may be delivered directly to one or both nostrils of the bird. The deliveries are performed through one or two fluid passages that are preferably in direct fluid communication with the birds' nostrils. Delivery of the composition may limited to only one nostril or both nostrils of each bird. The nostril or nostrils to which the selected dosages are delivered may be isolated from fluid communication with ambient atmosphere during the delivery process. The isolation may be provided by a conformable seal. The beak of the bird may be restrained in a closed position during delivery of the composition.

Abstract: Methods of improving performance, increasing weight gain, and decreasing incidence of disease in ruminant and pre-ruminant animals, such as cattle, after undergoing painful processing procedures, such as castration and dehorning, are provided. Veterinary formulations for use in methods of the invention are also provided. The formulations comprise a compound selected from the group consisting of meloxicam, gabapentin, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and combinations thereof. Methods of treating pathological pain in cattle are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein is a marking system for marking animals. The marking system comprises a restraining device, a controller, and a robot assembly wherein the robot assembly comprises a robotic arm, a marking device attached thereto, and one or more actuators for manipulating the robotic arm and marking with the marking device; the robot assembly and the restraining device are positioned in a fixed manner relative to one another; the restraining device is sized and configured for restraining an animal or animal body part thereof and oriented such that the marking device can make a mark on a substrate portion of the animal body part; and the controller is configured to control the position of the marking device and to make a mark on the substrate portion of the animal body part by actuating the one or more actuators. Also described herein are media transfer assemblies and animal restraints.

Abstract: A semi-rigid animal head enclosure with a handle effective in muzzling and controlling a fractious animal using a lead passing through a portion of the enclosure and secured thereto or in corporation with a special capture stick having a lead forming a loop secured to the enclosure, one end of the stick and loop passing through the head enclosure and encircling the neck of an animal the stick having a method for releasing the lead from the capture stick, removing the stick from enclosure allows the lead to be secured to the head enclosure thus maintaining the enclosure over the head of the animal.

Abstract: One or more mechanical, electrical or chemical application devices, chemical agents, and/or identification information may be carried by an apparatus worn on the heads of animals. The apparatus comprises a first 3-dimensional loop-shaped member having first and second opposed inner and outer surfaces, a third outer surface extending between the first and second surfaces, and an interior opening extending therethrough from the first surface to the second surface. The loop-shaped member is of a size sufficient to fit over one ear or horn of the animal with the animal's ear or horn protruding through the opening, the first inner surface facing the head of the animal, and the second outer surface facing away from the head of the animal.

Abstract: An ear prop prevents a pet's ears from contacting or substantially contacting food or water in a bowl or dish. The ear prop has members for elevating, supporting or displacing the pet's ears, and the ear prop may comprise a shield. A dish for holding food or water for a pet is constructed to keep the pet's ears from contacting or substantially contacting food or water in the dish. The dish comprises a bowl section and an ear prop section. The bowl section has a floor piece with a boundary continuously connectable to a boundary of a side wherein another boundary of the side defines an opening of the dish. The ear prop section is operably connected to the opening to provide a mechanism for elevating, supporting or displacing the pet's ears.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for treating the beaks of poultry to prevent further growth by non-contact heating while protecting the birds' tongues. The birds' tongues are protected by providing pressure on underside of the lower beak of the bird, proximate the base of the lower beak.

Abstract: A hemispherical shaped animal protective head shield with detachable optional rings and a pivotal visor member. The hemispherical shield is a transparent shell with an irregular aperture therein covered by a visor having a parabolic notch forming parabolic opening between the visor and shell for inserting an animals head and closing around the animal's neck. Optional elements may be attached to the hemispherical shape, thus forming a cylindrical or conical portion. Hook and latch elements are added for securing the visor in position relative to the hemispherical shell thereby providing infinite adjustment for capturing and partially encapsulating an animal's head.

Abstract: An animal muzzling apparatus, generally for temporary use during treatment and grooming of an animal, to prevent injury to attending personnel due to bites, the muzzle being transformable into a gas mask. The apparatus being generally a transparent globular shape in a standoff relationship with and fully enclosing an animal's head, the enclosure having sufficient air breathing holes or slots therein and a visor type closure meansfor allowing the globe to be quickly and easily extended over the head of the animal and secured thereabouts with hook and loop fastening means. The globe may optionally be fitted with a removable front cover. The cover may be fitted with an adapter membrane to seal the globe and adapted to receive a gas hose connection.

Abstract: A blind animal safety harness comprises an elongated harness extension attached to a body harness by an extension fastener. Adjustable harness fasteners provide secure fitting of the harness to a variety of animals of different sizes. The extension fastener supports the harness extension from the harness in a generally horizontal configuration. The length of the harness extension provides forward extension beyond the forwardmost portion of the animal's head, providing protection from injury from collision with objects and obstructions. The forward extension also provides neuromuscular feedback to warn the animal of obstructions without hard collisions. Lateral extension of the harness extension provides lateral clearance between the harness extension and the side of the animal's head, preventing direct collision of the animal's head with objects and obstructions to the side.

Abstract: An animal muzzling apparatus, generally for temporary use during treatment and grooming of an animal, to prevent injury to attending personnel due to bites, the muzzle being transformable into a gas mask. The apparatus being generally a transparent globular shape in a standoff relationship with and fully enclosing an animal's head, the enclosure having sufficient air breathing holes or slots therein and a visor type closure meansfor allowing the globe to be quickly and easily extended over the head of the animal and secured thereabouts with hook and loop fastening means. The globe may optionally be fitted with a removable front cover. The cover may be fitted with an adapter membrane to seal the globe and adapted to receive a gas hose connection.

Abstract: An animal muzzling apparatus generally for temporary use during treatment and grooming of an animal to prevent injury to attending personnel due to bites, the muzzle being transformable into a gas mask and a “V” neck collar. The apparatus being generally a transparent globular shape in standoff relationship with and fully enclosing an animal's head, the enclosure having sufficient air breathing holes or slots therein and a slotted elastic membrane for allowing the globe to be quickly and easily extended over the head of the animal. The globe may be fitted with a flexible sleeve encircling the slotted, elastic membrane, extending around the animal's neck and secured thereabouts with a quick draw string having a quick lock or by alternative neck securing device. The globe may optionally be fitted with a removable front cover. The cover may be fitted with a an adapter membrane to seal the globe and adapted to receive a gas hose connection.

Abstract: An animal muzzling apparatus generally for temporary use during treatment and grooming of an animal to prevent injury to attending personnel due to bites. The apparatus being generally a transparent globular shape in standoff relationship with and fully enclosing an animal's head, the enclosure having sufficient air breathing holes or slots therein and a slotted elastic membrane for allowing the globe to be quickly and easily extended over the head of the animal. The globe is further fitted with a flexible sleeve encircling the slotted, elastic membrane, extending around the animal's neck and secured thereabouts with a quick draw string having a quick lock. The globe may optionally be fitted with a removable front cover or hinged in a manner that allows access to the animal's head for administering medication and treatment to the animal's head.