Abstract: An ingestible bolus may be disposed within the stomach of an animal. The bolus may comprise one or more sensors to monitor one or more internal and/or external animal characteristics. The bolus may comprise a data transmitter in wireless communication with a base station. The base station may receive messages from the bolus comprising one or more measured animal characteristics. The base station may comprise a process to monitor the animal and/or be in communication with a process to monitor the animal. The process may build an animal profile based upon the observed characteristics of the animal, the characteristics of other animals in a group associated with the animal, and/or characteristics associated with the breed and/or sex of the animal. Based on this profile, the process may detect a change in a health condition of the animal.