Abstract: The food receiving surface of a dog food bowl is sprayed or otherwise coated with a substance which has an aroma that is attractive to the dog to be fed, so that the dog would be attracted to the food and proceed to eat, even if the food is dry and of a nature that otherwise the dog would not eat.

Abstract: A mechanism to dispense a variety of medications to an animal. The mechanism includes a pump 14 which when operated delivers a dose of medication of predetermined volume to an associated dispenser 16, There is a plurality of pumps 14 each having an associated dispenser 16, Each dispenser 16, when operated, activates a control unit 13 which in turn activates the associated pump 14 so that a dose of predetermined volume is delivered to the dispenser 16.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a method for controlling the timing of the ovulation of mares using an LHRH agonist, and to a biocompatible implant for use in such a method.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for making determinations related to the heat cycle in a cow. The system includes an electronic patch attached to the cow. A transmitter module for transmitting heat mount data is contained in a pouch of the electronic patch. A removable and disposable battery is also contained in the pouch for powering the transmitter module. The heat mount data from the transmitter module is sent to a repeater module to maintain the quality of the transmitted heat mount data signal. The heat mount data is re-transmitted by the repeater module to a central receiver module which includes a memory for storing heat mount data. The heat mount data is downloaded to a computer upon request using software that is also used to analyze the heat mount data. Analysis of the heat mount data results in determining a value that is useful in deciding on the optimal time to breed the cow.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of electronic identification of bovine animals and other species. The method implants an electronic transponder subcutaneously in the leg of an animal, between the deep digital flexor tendon and the large metatarsal bone. The transponder is implanted between approximately one and six inches above the dew claw. The transponder is positioned so that it has a substantially vertical orientation when the animal is standing, making this method of insertion more reliable, since the implant can be accurately and more easily measured or scanned. Data representative of both the animal's identity and characteristics (e.g., temperature, activity, ownership, origin, etc.) can be monitored and/or recorded.

Abstract: Acoustic signals and hydraulic pressure variations which influence fish bvior in bodies of water are measured and recorded by apparatus simulating a fish immersed in water, fitted with piezoelectric transducers and connected by wiring to remote amplifying and recording means. Such data are correlated with fish behavior for the purpose of developing methods of diverting fish from such areas of danger as the intake piping of hydroelectric power generating turbines and pumping stations.

Abstract: A lost pet retrieval collar receives a coded radio signal and activates a puncturing device to release gas from a pressurized canister to inflate a balloon creating a visual alarm that the pet is lost. The pet collar also contains information necessary to enable a passerby to contact the pet owner. In one embodiment, the puncturing device utilizes a spring loaded pin; in a second embodiment, the puncturing device utilizes a solenoid valve; in a third embodiment, a laser is employed.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of formulating ruminant feed to selectively change a composition of milk produced by the ruminant. The method includes providing a fistula directly into an abomasum of the ruminant. A selected feed component at a selected level is introduced directly into the abomasum through the ingress. The selected feed component thereby bypasses other portions of the ruminant's stomach. The direct introduction of the selected feed component allows for changing a selected characteristic of the composition of milk. The composition of the milk corresponding to the selected feed component is then analyzed. The direct introduction of the selected feed component is repeated, if necessary, at other selected levels. The milk produced corresponding to the other selected levels is then analyzed.

Abstract: A method and products are disclosed in which a fertilized egg is non-invasively infused with oxygen such that the structural integrity of the shell of the egg is not compromised. The method comprises the step of subjecting the external surface of the eggshell to the oxygen under a condition of at least one of vacuum and positive pressure. The oxygen is from a substance selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nascent oxygen, liquid oxygen, oxone, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, and potassium permanganate.

Abstract: A device that automatically repeats a prerecorded message for training a bird to mimic the message. The device is sized such that it may be attached to a bird cage by adjustable clips. The device electronically records and stores a message spoken by the user and plays back the message through a speaker for the bird at intervals determined by a timer. A user may record any type of message that the user wishes for the bird to learn. The message may be of variable length up to 60 seconds in duration. The user may select a delay interval between one second and thirty minutes by utilization of the timer. Once the user activates the play-back, the device will play the prerecorded message at a selected volume, automatically repeating in intervals equal to that selected by the user. Thereafter, the device will continue to repeat the prerecorded message at the selected interval until the user deactivates the device.

Abstract: A bolus for administration to a ruminant animal and for retention in the rumen or reticulum of the animal, the bolus having an electronic identification device housed therein with an identification code encoded in the electronic device, and a permanent visual representation of the identification code on and/or within the bolus.

Abstract: This pet sounding device contains all insulating major components so as to be non-conductive upon use or pet contact. The device has two attached rectangular plates connected on only one end. In between these plates is sandwiched a wireless transmitter that can be activated upon contact by the pet with one of the plate components. The transmitter is in wireless contact with a sound receiver which will emit a sound, chimes or voice upon being activated by the transmitter.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for remote sensing of livestock, using a thermographic image sensing system, in order to determine one or more of the number, weight, location, temperature, carcass pH, etc., of animals in a surveillance area. A thermographic image comprising pixels of the area is sent to a digitizing board in a microcomputer, where the image is converted into a number array. The numbers are then interpreted by software to provide the desired information in a decipherable form.

Abstract: A method for improving the chemical stability of a living organism by reducing the occurrence carbon-14 beta-decay in the organism. Organic nutrients with a carbon-14 content lower than that found in natural are provided to the organism. In the case of photosynthetic organisms, carbon dioxide produced from subterranean carbon sources is the major nutrient. Organic nutrients for non-photosynthetic organisms are synthesized directly from subterranean sources of carbon, or are derived from photosynthetic organisms that have been produced with a reduced carbon-14 content.

Abstract: A method of disposing of animal excrement uses a container having a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The front wall, the rear wall and the first and the second side walls each are connected to the bottom wall and cooperate with the bottom wall to encompass a pet receiving space in an opened position of the container in which litter material is placed. The ends of the side walls and the front and rear walls, opposite the ends connected to the bottom wall are connected. The side walls each are gusseted so that the container may be collapsed to a position wherein the side walls and the front and rear walls are folded onto the bottom wall in the collapsed position of the container. The container is opened from the collapsed position to an operating position wherein the side walls and the front and rear wall each extend a distance upwardly from the bottom wall and cooperate to enclose the pet receiving space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exposed eggs and hatchlings of precocial avian species incubated, hatched, and brooded under artificial conditions to sound recordings made under natural incubating, hatching and brooding conditions to reduce the spread of time over which the hatchlings emerge from the eggs, to reduce the stress experienced by both the unhatched embryo and the hatchling, and to increase the attraction of artificially incubated hatchlings to feed and water during the brooding stage.

Abstract: An electronic livestock record system stores the individual animal's identification and performance data on a programmable electronic identification and data storage module carried with the animal so that the animal's identification, the animal's performance data and the animal itself become one. The system includes a programmable electronic identification and data storage module carried by the animal, and a reading and recording device which communicates with the electronic identification and data storage module.

Abstract: A method for the delivery of medicaments to newly hatched poultry. A vaccine or other medicament is injected into the yolk sac of a newly hatched chick, and is released to the chick's system as the yolk is absorbed by the chick. An injection device is shown having one or optionally a pair of guide services for guiding a chick axially of a hypodermic needle during an injection procedure to reduce damage to the injection site.

Abstract: A pet entrance pager in the form of a channel like member designed to be fitted over the vertical edge of a door and held tightly against the sides by a non-skid material. The rear of the channel is fitted with an alarm assembly activated by a cover plate spring mounted on one of the channel sides and having a switch, which when activated by an animal pushing on the cover plate trips the alarm assembly. To attract the animal the pager is sprayed with scent. In the event the door is not of standard size inserts are placed channel and the door.

Abstract: A method or kit for modifying the excretory behavior of animals such as dogs. It has been discovered that placing .beta.-ionone in a particular location induces dogs to urinate and defecate preferentially at or near that location. Related compounds which may also be useful, in lieu of .beta.-ionone, or as synergists, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Preparation of chicken embryo allantoic fluids for animal health requires opening the eggshell by cutting, drilling or punching methods. Laser cutting and drilling is used as an alternative to known processes. Both CO.sub.2 and Nd:YAG lasers are employed. A focused CO.sub.2 laser beam at a power of 200 watts in conjunction with an X-Y motion table produced 25 mm diameter "clean-cuts" in eggshells with a cutting time of 0.5 seconds per egg. The material removal mechanism was vaporization. When an axicon/lens combination is used with a CO.sub.2 laser, the cutting time was further reduced to 0.2 seconds per egg and the mechanism of material removal is changed from vaporization to decomposition of the eggshell into fine powders. Small holes, typical diameters of 0.5 mm to 1 mm are generated in the eggshell using the pulsed Nd:YAG laser.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus, for rotating immobilized subhuman primate animal test subjects about one or more axes according to a preselected sequence to simulate weightlessness and to minimize trauma during simulated zero or micro-gravity studies is disclosed. The method includes intermittent rotation of the test subject ninety degrees every thirty minutes about an axis parallel to both the spine of the test animal and to the ground, and intermittent rotation of the test subject forty-five degrees every three to five minutes about each of two axes. The method is performed using a timed roto-positioning apparatus having a frame, a subframe rotatably attached to the frame, and a carrier for a primate restraint system rotatably attached to the subframe. Two motors, controlled by a programmable controller, individually rotate the subframe and the carrier according to a preselected sequence.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for providing heat and a resting place for reptiles or the like. The heating apparatus includes a housing and a heating device located at a selected level within the interior of the housing. When the reptile rests on an upper surface of the housing and the heating device is activated, heat is conveyed to the upper surface by convection currents. The housing resembles a limb and branches to simulate the natural habitat of the reptile. The limb is held above the bottom surface of the enclosure containing the reptile. The limb is injection molded and includes two body halves that are matingly joined together after the heating device is desirably positioned relative to the body halves. The branches are movable relative to the limb and one of the branches includes a channel for concealing portions of the electrical cord connected to the heating device.

Abstract: Method for identifying an animal wherein a transponder is (3) introduced in the animal. To prevent infection of the wound site, together with the transponder (3) a disinfectant is introduced. According to the invention, this disinfectant is present in a bioabsorbable tablet (14) and this tablet (4) is introduced in line with the transponder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exposed eggs and hatchlings of precocial avian species incubated, hatched, and brooded under artificial conditions to sound recordings made under natural incubating, hatching and brooding conditions to reduce the spread of time over which the hatchlings emerge from the eggs, to reduce the stress experienced by both the unhatched embryo and the hatchling, and to increase the attraction of artificially incubated hatchlings to feed and water during the brooding stage.

Abstract: Straws, in particular for artificial insemination of animals and storage of biological products, are filled by aspiration through a suction nozzle fitted with a needle which enters the straw to the rear of a composite stopper and is fitted with a seal. A biological product (diluted sperm) is drawn up a flexible elastomer tube to an injector nozzle in response to reducing the pressure in the straw. The flexible tube is held centered over a distance equal to at least five times its outside diameter in a hoop held in a support. The elastomer from which the flexible tube is made has a Shore hardness of 41 to 47 and a reversible elongation capacity of at least 250%. These arrangements ensure rigorous centering of the needle in the hoop despite the flexibility of the tube. Parts which have been in contact with the sperm can be discarded after all of a sample has been used up, rather than requiring costly cleaning.

Abstract: A technique for administering medicaments in veterinary applications including the steps of applying a medicament transdermally to an animal and non-surgically terminating the application of the medicament at a pre-determined time. There is also provided apparatus for transdermal application of medicaments to animals including a removable enclosure arranged to be non-invasively mounted onto an animal ear.

Abstract: An artificial spur for cockfighting has a hub portion for attachment to the spur stub of a fighting cock and an elongated arcuate shank portion attached to one end to the hub portion and having at its opposite end a pointed tip. The spur is integrally formed of molded substantially transparent thermoplastic material. Most preferably, the thermoplastic material consists of an unmodified polyether-imide resin. The spur exhibits superior fighting effectiveness and durability as compared with custom made bone spurs, facilitates the detection of illegal spur adulterations, and may be mass produced at low cost and with uniform high quality using a thermosplastic injection molding process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for removing oil from the internal and external surfaces of birds, fish and water fowl or from the internal and external surface of seals, otters and other mammals affected by hydrocarbon oil spills comprising internal or external treatment with a composition comprising a preponderance of polyisobutylene without effecting removal of natural oils of the surfaces of the birds, fish or water fowl.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sound emitting apparatus produces an undesireable noise for animals such as dogs and cats to deter such animals from trespassing within certain geographical locations with this noise being of such a high frequency level that it is not heard by most human beings. The apparatus includes a housing with an ultrasonic emitter being mounted within a reflector cone formed within the front face of the housing. The sound emitter is moveable relative to the cone between a projected position and a retracted position and when in the retracted position the pattern of sound emitted is substantially wider than when the emitter is in the projected position. With the emitter in the projected position the pattern of sound emitted is of substantially greater length than the pattern of sound with the emitter in the retracted position. A sensor such as an infrared sensor is to be mounted within the front face of the housing which will cause activation of the emitter only upon an animal being detected.

Abstract: A pressure-applying apparatus and method for using the apparatus to induce controlled stressed behavior in animals, such as enhanced eating, drinking, mating, or the like behavior. The apparatus includes a mechanism for mounting the apparatus on a body part of the animal, a mechanism for applying variable stress to the body part, and a device for automatically controlling the variation of stress. The method includes the steps of mounting a stress-applying apparatus on a body part of an animal, and actuating the stress applying apparatus to apply variable stress to the body part over time in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A gastric resident object having elastic stimulus members, which is admitted into the rumen, functions as a substitute for roughage and stimulates the mucous membrane and the wall of the rumen, so that the rumen can be maintained healthily and appropriately. Thus, it is possible to the use of roughage in quantity and decrease excretion, to thereby curtail the costs for dealing with the excretion and feeding for the ruminants.

Abstract: A method for sex reversal in reptiles and their derivatives comprising the steps of sterilizing the surface of a fertilized egg; injecting the egg with a material that causes sex reversal at least before the first two-thirds of incubation of the egg has passed; and sealing any holes in the egg. In a preferred embodiment, the material that causes sex reversal includes natural estrogens or its synthetic mimics. In an alternative embodiment, the material is applied to the surface of the egg. By practicing the aforesaid method, sex reversal in reptiles and their derivatives is accomplished and viable all female sexed hatchlings are capable of being produced thereby.

Abstract: A method of automatically suggesting to the producer what ration a group of livestock should be fed currently, based on the amount of each ration originally requested. As a producer prepares to mix feed for a particular group of animals, the controller will automatically suggest, based on the amount of feed consumed what particular ration should currently be mixed. This feature is built into the software of the IBM compatible batch controller. The resulting benefit to the producer is a savings of approximately 2 to 3 dollars per head of livestock--each individual farmer typically feeds 4 to 20 thousand head per year.

Abstract: A hydrous aluminosilicate adsorbent composition in which the active adsorbent is a mixture of non-fibrous clay with non-fibrous zeolite. The composition is useful as a feed supplement in animal husbandry, and as a topical adsorbent for veterinary use. The mixture has a high capacity for adsorption of ammonium cations, and a synergistically high selectivity for their adsorption. Beneficial effects as feed supplement may arise from lowering the amount of ammonia passed to the liver from the alimentary canal.

Abstract: An elevator toy for small animals (hamsters, gerbils, mice, or other small animals) in transparent plastic and comprising an animal-operated and automatically resetting elevator embodied in a counterbalanced and reciprocating double-car assembly wherein downward transport in one car automatically resets the other car and eliminates shearing action during animal exit. The cars are connected by ball chain suspended over guide pulleys in a containment structure with two additional means of control. First, there is an animal released or weight-sensitive retaining means to hold the car in position, preferably a non-toxic ceramic ring magnet, which comes into contact with a metallic component on the top of the car. Second, there is a cushioning means, preferably a compression spring, with the ring magnet attached in concentric fashion to the lower end of the spring, and the spring itself attached to the underside of a pulley guard housing on the lid of the containment structure.

Abstract: A pet waste disposal device in the form of a receptacle or fitting that is generally funnel shaped and provided with a reduced diameter lower end connected to the cleanout fitting conventionally provided for sewer systems and located externally of a residential home or other building with the receptacle including a pivotal closure lid to provide access thereto from any position exteriorly of the building and a water inlet to which a garden hose or other supply pipe is connected with the water inlet including a unique arrangement of nozzles for flushing and cleaning the interior surface of the receptacle so that pet waste may be picked up from the yard or other areas and deposited into the receptacle without entering the home or other building. The device may be constructed of metal or plastic and is connected to the cleanout adapter by utilizing conventional plumbing procedures and a control valve is provided for the water inlet to enable selective operation of the flushing operation.

Abstract: A tray (1) with an insert (3) for the support of eggs in an incubation and hatching process has the insert (3) placed loosely near the bottom (9) of the tray (1). The eggs are placed in the tray (1) with the insert (3) and incubated, after which the insert (3) is raised into an upper position or removed from the tray (1). The eggs will hereby roll onto their sides into the position most suitable for hatching. With the invention, the use is avoided of fixed partition walls which occupy space in the bottom (9) during hatching, while at the same time undesired shock effects on the eggs and their transfer to special hatching trays is avoided. According to the invention, only one type of tray is necessary for the transport, incubation and hatching of eggs and the transport of newly-hatched poultry.

Abstract: A rubbing pedestal for cats includes a flat supporting base incorporating clamp blocks for releasably clamping an upwardly extending pedestal to the base. The pedestal is a flat rectangular member covered on both flat sides with a woven sisal material into which a cat may sink its claws. The opposite end of the pedestal from the base supports a platform which functions as an elevated perch for a cat. The base, pedestal and platform are releasably secured together by two pairs of clamp blocks.

Abstract: Methods for raising commercial farm animals including birds, fish and mammals, are disclosed which improve the animals' behavioral characteristics, feeding habits and mortality rates. In one embodiment of the invention, precocial birds are exposed to the combined effects of filial imprinting, environmental enrichment and music as they are raised. In another embodiment, various types of commercial farm animals are exposed to toys.

Abstract: A butterfly hibernation container is formed of six adjoining walls and is provided in the interior thereof with tree bark placed in the container to resemble a wood pile which forms natural interior crevices. An exterior crevice is provided by spacing a plaque from one of the walls to create a crevice, all crevices being familiar habitat for butterflies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for inducing or stimulating, in anovulatory mares, the onset of fertile ovulation by administering, to an anovulatory mare, a gonadotrophin or gonatrophin-releasing substance at a rate with respect to time that maintains a substantially continuously present concentration of the substance in the mare sufficient to initiate an induced fertile ovulation.

Abstract: A cage of experimental animals comprises a body, a position detection part to be assembled with the body and a cover for covering the body. The body has a cylindrical cover projected from a bottom thereof, a keeping space defined between a side wall of the body and the cylindrical cover for keeping experimental animals. The position detection part has a position detector at the circumferential surface thereof for detecting the behavioral movement of the animal.

Abstract: A method of recovering an underwater object wherein a beluga whale wears a ackpack harness, beaches into a boat with beaching capabilities and is transported to an area of work. The beluga whale is trained to then follow small boats, carry attachment hardware using a bite plate connected to the hardware, carry tow lines and buoyancy modules from the surface, dive and then locate and deploy the attachment hardware onto the non-pingered target.