Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying and mitigating a risk of deathloss of an animal, comprising receiving, at a processor from a hematology analyzer, information obtained from a sample from said animal, wherein said information comprises a leukocyte absolute count and a leukocyte differential from said sample, said sample comprising leukocytes, analyzing, by said processor, said leukocyte absolute count and said leukocyte differential to determine a survivability index for said animal, and managing the animal based on the survivability index.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying an animal for which antibiotic treatment, anti-infective treatment, probiotic treatment, immunostimulant treatment, additional monitoring and/or a separate or alternative management strategy is appropriate, comprising: a) collecting a sample from said animal; b) performing a leukocyte differential cell count on said sample; c) comparing said leukocyte differential cell count of (b) with an index of infection; and d) initiating antibiotic treatment, anti-infective treatment, probiotic treatment, immunostimulant treatment, additional monitoring and/or a separate or alternative management strategy of said animal on the basis of said comparing step.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for the rapid collection of blood from a subject (e.g., a blood vessel, such as the vein, artery or capillary bed of a bovine subject) and dispensing the blood therefrom into a test or collection device. In general, the apparatus comprises: (a) a body having a chamber formed therein, said chamber having an inlet and outlet, with said chamber configured to draw blood therein; (b) a hollow barrel connected to said chamber outlet; (c) an ejector operatively associated with said barrel; (d) a hollow needle connected to said body, with said hollow needle in fluid communication with said chamber through said inlet, so that blood can be rapidly drawn into said chamber through said needle. The needle is optionally removed and blood dispensed from the body into a test or collection device by actuating the ejector.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for the rapid collection of blood from a subject (e.g., a blood vessel, such as the vein, artery or capillary bed of a bovine subject) and dispensing the blood therefrom into a test or collection device. In general, the apparatus comprises: (a) a body having a chamber formed therein, said chamber having an inlet and outlet, with said chamber configured to draw blood therein; (b) a hollow barrel connected to said chamber outlet; (c) an ejector operatively associated with said barrel; (d) a hollow needle connected to said body, with said hollow needle in fluid communication with said chamber through said inlet, so that blood can be rapidly drawn into said chamber through said needle. The needle is optionally removed and blood dispensed from the body into a test or collection device by actuating the ejector.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for the rapid collection of blood from a subject (e.g., the vein of a bovine subject) and dispensing the blood therefrom into a collection device includes: (a) a capillary body having a capillary chamber formed therein, with the chamber having an inlet and outlet, and with said chamber configured to draw blood therein through the inlet by capillary action; (b) a hollow barrel connected to the chamber outlet; (c) a plunger positioned in the barrel; and (d) a hollow needle connected to the capillary body, with the hollow needle in fluid communication with the capillary chamber through the capillary inlet, so that blood can be rapidly drawn into the capillary chamber through the needle by the combined action of vein pressure (or other pressure, if present, such as arterial pressure) and capillary action.

Abstract: A device for detecting at least one analyte in a liquid sample generally comprises (i) a support having a chamber for receiving a biological fluid (e.g., milk) therein, wherein said chamber is an elongate chamber having a length axis; (ii) a (stationary or movable) carrier (in some embodiments in the form of an end cap, or connected to an end cap; in other embodiments in the form of an agitator in said elongate chamber).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying an animal for which antibiotic treatment, anti-infective treatment, probiotic treatment, immunostimulant treatment, additional monitoring and/or a separate or alternative management strategy is appropriate, comprising: a) collecting a sample from said animal; b) performing a leukocyte differential cell count on said sample; c) comparing said leukocyte differential cell count of (b) with an index of infection; and d) initiating antibiotic treatment, anti-infective treatment, probiotic treatment, immunostimulant treatment, additional monitoring and/or a separate or alternative management strategy of said animal on the basis of said comparing step.

Abstract: A device for detecting at least one analyte in a liquid sample generally comprises (i) a support having a chamber for receiving a biological fluid (e.g., milk) therein, wherein said chamber is an elongate chamber having a length axis; (ii) a (stationary or movable) carrier (in some embodiments in the form of an end cap, or connected to an end cap; in other embodiments in the form of an agitator in said elongate chamber).