Apparatus for animal health monitoring

An apparatus and a method are provided for automatically collecting a sample of cow's breath. The apparatus comprises an inlet (5) in an animal stall, e.g. a cattle stall, which is connected to collecting or analysing apparatus. A sensor (16) is provided for sensing a flow of breath into the apparatus. A food incentive is automatically dispensed when the sensor is activated, thereby inducing the animal to provide a breath sample. A method for training an animal to use the apparatus is also described, comprising the distribution of food incentives in the locality of the apparatus at random time intervals, together with the gradual increasing of the length and/or strength of exhalation necessary to result in the dispensing of food incentive.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 This invention is concerned with apparatus for collection of animal
 exhalation and extends to feed stalls and milking apparatus including such
 apparatus.
 2. Description of the Related Art
 In the field of animal husbandry there is a continuing requirement to
 improve the overall yields obtained from livestock. Examples of areas in
 which improved yields are considered to be desirable include milk and meat
 production. It is generally accepted that the best way of achieving
 production targets set is to ensure that the animals are in good health.
 For example, the health of a ruminant animal such as a cow is influenced
 by its metabolic state. Animals with metabolic deficiencies tend to give
 yields that are significantly lower than animals which are in good health.
 Examples of metabolic conditions which adversely affect yield include
 ketosis and mastitis in cows.
 It has become good practice to monitor the health of individual animals in
 the herd so that any problems arising which may adversely affect yield can
 be detected and rectified at an early stage. Monitoring techniques
 employed include weighing and measuring the animals and collecting samples
 of blood, urine, saliva and semen. By using these techniques a skilled
 person is able to establish a health profile for each animal.
 Although weighing and measuring an animal is non-intrusive, the collection
 of urine and particularly blood samples is intrinsically intrusive and
 requires significant manual effort. A requirement to have the samples
 collected and analysed remotely together with the inevitable delay before
 receipt of the results and therefore diagnosis represents a significant
 disadvantage as any adverse condition of the animal may have deteriorated
 unnecessarily. The collection of blood and urine samples is, therefore,
 generally inconvenient and is only considered to be feasible on an
 intermittent rather than a regular basis and thus it is not possible to
 monitor the animal on a day to day basis using these techniques.
 Methods for monitoring animal derived exhalations, particularly their
 exhaled breath, provide non-intrusive techniques which give useful
 information about health status. Preferably exhalation derived from the
 lungs is collected and especially the end tidal portion thereof as this
 contains components, some of them volatile, which have passed from the
 blood vessels into the alveoli. It can therefore be appreciated that it is
 possible by monitoring exhalation derived from the lungs to estimate
 certain volatile components of blood.
 Apparatus and methods for the collection of non-human animal derived
 exhalation are disclosed in WO 94/12019 and WO 94/12022.
 Apparatus for the collection and monitoring of human exhalation samples are
 well known and have been described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,352 and EP 0 650
 051. U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,352 discloses apparatus which provide a solution
 to the problem of how to collect a series of rapid and shallow breaths
 from an infant. EP 0 650 051 discloses apparatus for the collection of
 human exhalation which includes a mouthpiece into which a patient is
 required to exhale deeply in response to instructions given by an
 operator. In both U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,352 and EP 0 650 051 the patients
 can be considered to be compliant. By compliant it is to be understood
 that the patient is cooperative. Adult humans in particular are able to
 understand any instructions given and/or are not disturbed by the presence
 of the collection apparatus, while infants do not offer serious
 resistance. Collection of an exhalation sample from a non-human animal is
 prone to difficulties. A non-human animal can be considered to be a
 non-compliant patient; it is unable to follow instructions given to it
 regarding when and how to provide an exhalation sample and it is easily
 disturbed by a change in its surroundings. The problem of collecting
 exhalation from a non-human animal has been addressed in part by WO
 97/00444 which provides apparatus suitable for the collection of non-human
 animal exhalation. The apparatus includes a flow sensor positioned at the
 inlet which detects the presence of animal exhalation and thereby controls
 when an exhalation sample is collected. A long, thin inlet tube adapted to
 be placed in the nostril of the animal for collection of the sample
 minimises any disturbance experienced.
 However, before the apparatus according to WO 97/00444 is used to collect a
 sample, it is necessary to restrain the animal. This requires considerable
 manual effort and tends to disturb the animal whose breathing becomes
 extremely rapid and shallow as a result so that any exhalation sample
 collected is rendered less representative of blood content.
 Collection of a sample using the apparatus of WO 97/00444 requires
 knowledge regarding the position of the animal's head. The problems
 associated with the collection of a sample using this apparatus mean that
 it is not possible to use it in an automated setting without modification.
 In addition use of the apparatus requires significant manual input which
 makes its use on a daily or routine basis expensive and time consuming.
 There is a need to be able to collect animal exhalation samples,
 automatically on a routine basis, e.g. daily. There is also a need to be
 able to collect exhalations closely corresponding in volatiles content to
 blood, e.g. such as those obtainable from an animal taking deep and
 regular breaths such as from a relaxed animal. Obtaining such exhalations
 is required without the uncertainty of whether or not the animals' head is
 in the correct position for sampling. The present invention addresses
 these needs.
 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for
 collection of a sample of animal exhalation which is of sufficient quality
 to be used in a method for monitoring the general health of an animal.
 It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and
 apparatus for collection of a sample of animal exhalation without the
 animal being aware of the occurrence of that collection and/or without
 disturbing it.
 It is a still further object of the invention to provide a method and
 apparatus for collection of animal exhalation on a routine e.g. daily
 basis thereby to provide an indication of the health of an animal.
 It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for training an
 animal to provide a breath sample using automatic collection apparatus.
 A first aspect of the present invention provides apparatus comprising an
 inlet in flow communication with means for collecting, conditioning and/or
 analyzing an exhalation sample from an animal, characterised by automatic
 means for providing an incentive for the animal on detection by sensing
 means of the receipt in the apparatus of a suitable breath sample, or of
 action by the animal likely to lead to the collection of a suitable breath
 sample.
 Also according to the first aspect of the invention, a method is provided
 for monitoring an animal's breath comprising:
 (a) providing breath collecting, conditioning and/or analyzing means in
 flow communication with an inlet;
 (b) automatically causing the dispensation of incentives for the animal on
 detection of the receipt in the apparatus of a suitable breath sample or
 of action by the animal likely to lead to a collection of a suitable
 breath sample.
 A second aspect of the present invention provides apparatus comprising
 receiving means adapted to receive a muzzle of an animal, the receiving
 means including outlet means in flow communication with a means for
 collecting, conditioning and/or analyzing an exhalation sample,
 characterised that, in use, insertion of the animal muzzle into said
 receiving means positions the nostrils of the animal such that exhalation
 therefrom is directed toward the outlet means.
 By using the method and/or apparatus of the present invention, it is
 possible to collect a good quality sample for analysis automatically
 without the requirement to manually restrain the animal. Analysis of the
 sample collected can be used to provide useful information about the
 health of the animal which, together with other monitoring techniques can
 be used to establish a health profile for individual animals.
 The ability to monitor the health of the animal automatically, i.e. in
 automated fashion on a daily basis provides many advantages. It is
 possible to detect any deterioration in the health of an animal at an
 early stage and rectify any deficiency before the condition becomes too
 serious. In this way it is possible to optimise animal product yields
 obtained.
 It has been established by Kilger, Foster, Temple, Matthews and Bremner;
 Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 30 (1991) 141-166 and by Moore,
 Whittlestone, Mullord, Priest, Kilgour and Albright; Journal of Dairy
 Science, 58 (1975) 1531-1535 that an animal such as a cow can be trained,
 i.e. conditioned to perform certain tasks if, upon successful completion
 of those tasks, the animal is rewarded with, for example, food. The
 complexity of the task may vary from inserting its muzzle in the receiving
 means for a predetermined period of time to pressing a button within or
 adjacent the receiving means one or more times. Ideally the task will be
 the delivery of a satisfactory sample of exhalation reflecting blood
 volatiles content to the inlet means. By conditioning the animal in this
 way it is possible to collect a sample of animal exhalation automatically
 in reliable fashion.
 In a third aspect of the invention, a method is provided for training an
 animal to use automatic breath sample apparatus, the method comprising
 training the animal to exhale with sufficient flow rate and/or for a
 sufficient duration to operate the apparatus, with its head in a
 particular position, using one or more of the following steps:
 (a) providing incentives at regular or random time intervals in the
 locality of an inlet to the apparatus;
 (b) decreasing the intervals of time between, or ceasing, the provision of
 any regular or random incentives as the animal's performance improves;
 (c) detecting the flow rate and/or duration of any exhalations by the
 animal into the apparatus and initially providing an incentive when an
 exhalation is detected which is not of sufficient duration and/or flow
 rate to operate the apparatus;
 (d) decreasing the flow rate and/or duration of exhalation required to
 cause the provision of any incentives based on an insufficient flow rate
 and/or duration of exhalation, as the animal's performance improves.
 The apparatus conveniently includes a mounting which is adapted to be
 attached to a feeder station, e.g. a standard forward feeder station. It
 is preferably of form and size so that in use there are no superfluous
 recesses between the sides of the mounting and the feeder into which the
 animal can place any part of its head. It is also preferred that the
 apparatus does not limit access of the animal to the trough into which
 feed is dispensed. Preferably the apparatus is positioned above the trough
 in use. It is especially preferred that the width of the mounting
 corresponds to that of the animal feeder station and that the animal is
 not hindered in its access to the food trough.
 The apparatus and its mounting are preferably smooth and free of any
 projections that would otherwise encourage the animal to chew it.
 The apparatus is preferably formed of materials sufficiently robust to
 withstand impact with any part of with the animal. The materials are also
 preferably resistant to any erosion caused by the animal licking or
 rubbing any part of the mounting. Suitable mounting materials include
 fibre glass, polycarbonates and impact resistant plastics. By impact
 resistant it is to be understood that the material is able to withstand
 impact with the body and particularly the muzzle of an animal.
 The receiving means is preferably a recess in a housing adapted to receive
 the muzzle of an animal but may include other structures adapted to
 capture animal exhalation through the provision of a structured airflow.
 It is preferred that the receiving means are of a size and shape which
 correspond to the size and shape of the animal muzzle. It is also
 preferred that the receiving means provides for easy insertion and removal
 of the animal muzzle. In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, the
 receiving means is shaped to provide for limited movement of the animal
 muzzle once inserted. By limited movement it is to be understood that
 movement of the animal muzzle within the cross-sectional area of the
 receiving means is limited but easy insertion and removal of the animal
 muzzle therefrom is allowed.
 The outlet means preferably comprises openings included in the receiving
 means which are preferably sized to correspond to the cross-sectional area
 of the exhalation of the animal. It is preferred that the openings are
 positioned to be in alignment with the nostrils of the animal upon
 insertion of the animal muzzle. It is especially preferred that the
 apparatus includes two openings, one for each nostril.
 Means of communication is preferably provided by a flow path between the
 openings and the collection, conditioning and/or analyzing means. A single
 flow path from the openings may be provided. Alternatively more than one
 flow path may be provided, the number of paths corresponding to the number
 of openings in the receiving means. It may be preferable if more than one
 flow path is provided, to direct the exhalation from one path along a
 route which bypasses the collection, conditioning and/or analyzing means.
 Suitable collection means include apparatus as described in WO 97/00444 for
 the collection and temporary storage of the sample prior to analysis.
 Alternatively apparatus adapted for on-line sampling of exhalation may be
 preferred. The invention therefore also provides apparatus which includes
 means for the collection of an animal exhalation sample.
 It may be desirable to include flow sensing means within one or more of the
 aforementioned flow paths to detect the presence of animal exhalation.
 Preferably the flow sensing means are positioned adjacent the openings. It
 is especially preferred that the flow sensing means are positioned within
 the flow path that bypasses the inlet of the collection means.
 Means for conditioning the sample will be well known to person skilled in
 the art and include means for monitoring and/or controlling one or more of
 the temperature, pressure, humidity, velocity and/or extent of dilution of
 the sample. The invention also provides apparatus which includes means for
 conditioning the exhalation sample collected.
 Means for analyzing the sample will also be known to a skilled person and
 may be included with the apparatus of the present invention. Typically the
 analysis means include for example gas chromatography, mass spectrometry,
 infra red and ultra violet spectrometry, electrochemical sensors and
 sensors for detecting antigens, viruses and bacteria. Some of these means
 of analysis may be sensitive to the condition of the sample, for example
 the humidity, and it may be necessary to condition the sample accordingly
 beforehand, e.g. electrochemical sensors benefit from humidity control.
 It will be appreciated that the size and shape of the receiving means will
 not necessarily be suitable for the muzzle of every animal. As young
 animals tend to have smaller muzzles their movement within the recess is
 not as limited. This greater range of movement may mean that any
 exhalation of the animal is lost to the surroundings. To overcome any
 disadvantages associated with unwanted loss of exhalation the apparatus
 may be provided with sealing means which prevent unwanted loss of
 exhalation during the period in which the animals muzzles is inserted into
 the recess.
 Sealing means may for example comprise an apertured resilient sheet placed
 in front of the receiving means in use thereby forming a seal with the
 animal's head or muzzle. Alternatively the resilient sheet may comprise an
 aperture having one or more incisions cut into it to allow various sized
 muzzles to pass through the aperture. When not in use the aperture is of
 smaller cross-sectional area than that of the receiving means. In use the
 animal approaches the apparatus and pushes its muzzle through the
 apertured resilient sheet into the receiving means. As a result the cut
 portions of the aperture contact the head of the animal thereby forming a
 seal and the size of the aperture increases by an amount corresponding to
 the size of the animal's head or muzzle.
 In this way it is possible to collect a sample of animal exhalation
 regardless of the size of the head or muzzle. The invention further
 provides apparatus which include sealing means as hereinbefore described.
 In use the trained or otherwise conditioned animal approaches the feed
 station and places its muzzle in the receiving means for a predetermined
 period before a food reward is deposited into the feed trough. Upon
 insertion of its muzzle into the receiving means the nostrils of the
 animal align with the openings therein. During the period of time in which
 the animal's muzzle is in position, the animal is relatively relaxed and
 breathes deeply. As the animal exhales, the exhalation passes from its
 nostrils, through the openings and is directed along the flow path for
 subsequent collection, conditioning and/or analysis, preferably under
 influence, e.g. flow produced by a vacuum.
 It will therefore be appreciated that the use of the apparatus of the
 invention greatly facilitates the collection of a sample of animal
 exhalation. As there is no need to catch and restrain the animal, it is
 relaxed and breathing deeply when a sample is collected. The animal
 approaches stall of its own accord. The sample collected using the
 apparatus of the invention is consistently of good quality. The high
 quality of the samples collected can also be attributed to the ability to
 correctly position the animal's head, and consequently its nostrils for
 sample collection, and its relaxed condition. This facilitates the
 selective collection of non-rumen derived exhalation as access of the
 animal's mouth to the openings is substantially prevented. In essence, the
 apparatus provides for collection of a sample without the animal being
 aware that a sample is being taken.
 The apparatus may be provided with actuation means which either initiate
 the collection, conditioning and/or analysis of a sample or turn the
 apparatus to a "stand by" mode, the collection, conditioning and/or
 analysis of the exhalation sample being subsequently initiated by the
 detection by the sensing means of the presence of animal exhalation.
 Actuation means may include means for recognising the presence of an animal
 at the feed station. Each animal may, for example, be provided with a
 transponder which generates a recognition signal in response to an
 initiation signal generated by corresponding circuitry at or in the
 vicinity of the feed station. The recognition signal can be used to detect
 the presence of and/or identify the animal approaching the station. The
 signal may also be used to initiate a delay period before food is
 dispensed into the feed trough. Preferably detection of the recognition
 signal is used to turn the apparatus to "stand by"; switching the
 apparatus from "stand by" to "collection" is initiated upon detection by
 the sensing means of the presence of animal exhalation. It is especially
 preferred that feed is not dispensed unless exhalation is detected.
 Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment of the invention the apparatus is
 provided with actuation means in the form of a switch. The switch is
 preferably positioned within the receiving means and is turned from "off"
 to "on" by contact with the animal muzzle when it is placed within the
 receiving means. The switch is preferably a push switch which is operated
 by the pressure applied thereto by said animal. Suitable forms of switches
 will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. Hydraulically operated
 switches are especially preferred.
 It is preferred to position the switch below the openings when in use. It
 is especially preferred to position the switch so that when in use the
 nostrils of the cow are aligned with the openings of the recess. It is
 believed that the use of the switch provides for more accurate and
 reliable positioning of the nostrils for collection of an animal
 exhalation sample. It is also believed that by positioning the switch
 below the openings when in use, it possible to substantially reduce or
 eliminate emanations from the rumen since any exhalation from the mouth is
 deflected by the switching means away from the openings. The switch may
 therefore take the form of a deflector which deflects any rumen derived
 gas which may be emitted away from the openings. The provision of a switch
 facilitates the selective collection of non-rumen derived exhalation.
 Collection of an exhalation sample requires the animal to approach the feed
 station, place its muzzle within the receiving means and depress the
 switch. As mentioned previously the animal may be trained to operate the
 switch either one or several times and/or for a predetermined period
 before food is dispensed. During the period in which the switch is
 depressed the animals head is positioned so as to allow the collection of
 a good quality exhalation sample. The animal is also breathing deeply
 which means that it is possible to collect, if desired, end tidal
 exhalation rather than dead space exhalation associated with short shallow
 breaths.
 Upon depression of the switch by the animal the collecting apparatus may be
 switched from "off" to "on" or "standby". Switching the apparatus "on"
 provides for the collection of a sample irrespective of its nature. If the
 apparatus is switched to "standby", a sample is only collected upon
 subsequent detection by the lung exhalation sensing means of the presence
 of animal exhalation. The sensing means may be calibrated to only switch
 the apparatus on once a certain threshold level of exhalation has been
 achieved. In this way it is possible to ensure that only exhalation
 comprising deep breaths are collected. The lung exhalation sensing means
 may be flow sensing means as in WO 9700444.
 A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides apparatus
 having both switching and recognition means. This makes it is possible to
 monitor individual animals as they arrive at the animal feeder station on
 a regular basis.
 A particularly useful application for the apparatus and/or method of the
 invention is in the detection and monitoring of methane and dimethyl
 sulphide in animal's breath. Accordingly a preferred embodiment of the
 invention includes means for analyzing breath for quantitative or
 qualitative detection of methane and/or dimethyl sulphide.
 The present invention is particularly suitable for mounting on a standard
 forward feeder station and a second aspect of the invention provides an
 animal feeder station which includes apparatus comprising mounting means
 as herein before described.
 Alternatively, the apparatus may included in a milking system. In this case
 the trained animals are required to perform the tasks as herein before
 described before issuance of a food reward and optionally this occurs
 before admission to the milking stall. A third aspect of the present
 invention provides a milking system which includes apparatus as herein
 before described.
 The present invention also provides a method for taking an exhalation
 sample from an animal comprising conditioning the animal to place its
 muzzle in an apparatus as herein before described and exhale and
 collecting an exhalation sample.
 Many other preferred features of the invention are set out in the dependent
 claims hereto and the advantages of these and other features of the
 invention will be apparent from the following description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
 FIG. 1 shows apparatus comprising a mounting 1 having receiving means 2 in
 the form of a recess adapted to receive the muzzle of an animal. The
 receiving means is moulded to the shape of the animal's muzzle and is
 preferably tapered for ease of muzzle insertion and removal. Fixing means
 3 adjacent the edges of the mounting 4 are used to attach the apparatus to
 the animal feed station 6 (FIG. 2). Exhalation from the animal passes from
 its nostrils through the openings 5 and into one or more flow paths 7
 provided for the transfer of the sample from the apparatus to any of the
 collection, conditioning and/or analyzing means that may be present.
 FIGS. 2 and 3 show the apparatus mounted in a standard forward feeder
 station 6. The apparatus is sized so that the side and top edges of the
 apparatus 4 are positioned adjacent the side and top edges of the feeder
 station. By occupying most of the upper area of the feeder station, the
 animal is only able to insert its muzzle into the receiving means 2 since
 any recesses at the sides where the mounting is attached to the feeder
 station are far too small for the animal's muzzle. The trough 8 into which
 feed is dispensed is positioned below the mounted apparatus in use.
 In FIG. 2, the receiving means comprises a recess including two openings 5
 with which the animal's nostrils become aligned upon insertion by the
 animal of its muzzle in use. The area occupied by the openings preferably
 corresponds to the area occupied by the exhalation path of the animal. It
 is especially preferred that the openings correspond to the size of the
 animal's nostrils.
 In FIG. 3, the receiving means further comprises a switch 9 in the form of
 a button which is switched from the "off" to the "on" state when depressed
 as a result of insertion by the animal of its muzzle. The switch 9 is
 preferably positioned below the openings 5 in use. It is especially
 preferred that the position of the switch corresponds to the position
 occupied by the animal's mouth when inserted into the recess. The switch 9
 can then function to prevent or discourage the animal from exhaling
 through its mouth and/or deflecting any exhalation from the mouth away
 from the openings 5. In this way it is possible to selectively collect
 non-rumen derived exhalation without needing to know the position of the
 animal's mouth.
 In use the trained animal approaches the feeder 6 and inserts its muzzle
 into the receiving means 2 with the expectation that it will receive, in
 due course, a food reward. The feeding station 6 may be provided with
 electronic circuitry that responds to signals emitted by a transponder
 attached to the animal (response means). As the animal approaches the
 feeder station, the response means receives a signal from the transponder.
 Upon receipt of this signal the apparatus are turned from "off" to
 "standby". The animal places its muzzle in the receiving means 2, and thus
 aligns its nostrils with the openings 5 and exhales. Exhalation from the
 animal passes over means which detects the presence of animal exhalation,
 e.g. a flow sensor. Upon the detection of the presence of animal
 exhalation, the flow sensor generates a signal. The flow sensor may be
 calibrated to only generate a signal when the flow of exhalation reaches a
 certain threshold level. The signal generated by the flow sensor is then
 used to turn the apparatus "on" thereby initiating the collection,
 conditioning and/or analysis of exhalation.
 Alternatively, upon approach by the animal to the feeder station and
 receipt by the response means of the signal from the transponder the
 apparatus may be turned from "off" to "on" so that collection,
 conditioning and/or analysis of animal exhalation may be effected as the
 animal places its muzzle within the receiving means.
 In addition to or instead of the use of transponder and response means the
 provision in FIG. 3 of a switch 9 may be used to similar effect. The
 animal inserts its muzzle into the receiving means 2, aligns its nostrils
 with the openings 5 and depresses the switch 9 thereby generating a signal
 that turns the apparatus from "off" to "standby". As the animal exhales,
 its exhalation passes over a sensor which detects the presence of animal
 exhalation, preferably a flow sensor. Upon the detection of the presence
 of animal exhalation, this flow sensor generates a signal. The sensor may
 be calibrated to only generate a signal when the flow of exhalation
 reaches a certain threshold level. The signal generated by the sensor is
 then used to turn the apparatus "on" thereby facilitating the collection,
 conditioning and/or analysis of exhalation.
 In the alternative, depression of the switch 9 by the animal may generate a
 signal which turns the apparatus from "off" to "on" thereby facilitating
 the collection, conditioning and/or analysis of the exhalation sample.
 FIG. 4 shows aperture sealing means 10 which can be placed adjacent the
 mounting 1. The sealing means are of a size so that when in use the upper
 and side edges 11 of the sealing means 10 are positioned adjacent the
 upper and side edges of the animal feeder station 6. The area of the
 sealing means corresponds to that of the mounting 1 and in use the sealing
 means 10 are placed on the front of the mounting means 1. The sealing
 means 10 comprise a resilient sheet 12 having an aperture 13. The aperture
 13 is of smaller cross-sectional area than that of the receiving means and
 may further comprise a plurality of incisions 14 extending radially from
 the edge of the aperture 12 towards the edges 11 of the sealing means 10.
 The plurality of incisions together form a "fringe" having a plurality of
 elements 15 around the edge of the aperture.
 In use, the animal approaches the apparatus and pushes its muzzle through
 the aperture 13 prior to inserting its muzzle in the receiving means 2. As
 it pushes its muzzle through the aperture 13, the elements 15 of the
 fringe are forced against the muzzle of the animal thereby forming a seal
 between the muzzle of the animal and the apparatus together with a
 concomitant increase in the size of the aperture 13.
 In FIG. 5, the apparatus forms part of a system used for the collection,
 conditioning and/or analysis of animal exhalation samples. As the animal
 approaches the apparatus 1 a transponder 16 attached to the animal causes
 a signal to be generated by the response means 17 thereby turning the
 apparatus to "stand by" from "off". The animal inserts its muzzle into the
 receiving means 2 of the apparatus 1, aligns its nostrils with the
 openings 5, depresses the switch 9 and exhales. Exhalation passes from the
 animal's nostrils through the openings 5. The path followed by the
 exhalation is then split. Most of the exhalation is passed from the
 openings through a filter 16 and into collection means 19 where it is
 stored prior to conditioning and/or analysis. Conditioning may take place
 in the collection means 19 prior to analysis by analyzing means 20, 21 and
 22. A small proportion of the exhalation is diverted over flow sensing
 means 23 which generates a signal upon detecting the presence of
 exhalation. The flow sensing means may be calibrated to generate a signal
 only when the flow of exhalation exceeds a predetermined threshold limit.
 The signal generated by the flow sensing means turns the apparatus from
 "standby" to "on" so that exhalation is passed from the openings 5 to the
 collection means 19 and on to analyzing means 20, 21 and 22. The system is
 controlled by signal processing and power control means 24. The signal
 generated by the analyzing means can be displayed on a screen 25 and
 provides an indication of the condition of the animal. The output from the
 system can therefore be used in a method for establishing a health profile
 for an animal.
 A second embodiment of the invention is shown in part in FIG. 6. In this
 embodiment, a simple orifice 33 is provided in the side wall 35 of a
 cattle feeding stall. The orifice 33 has two channels 34, 35 leading from
 it, the first channel 34 leading to a flow sensor and a second channel 35
 leading to a collecting bag and, from the bag to an analysis device.
 In use, a cow, whose head is represented as numeral 30 in FIG. 6, presses
 one nostril 32 against the orifice 33 thereby providing a breath sample.
 Apart from the different arrangement of the orifice, this embodiment
 functions in essentially the same way as the previous embodiment, that is
 to say the animal will be rewarded with feed on exhaling a sample of
 sufficient volume into the orifice, this being detected by the flow sensor
 in the passage 34.
 The use of an orifice on the side of a stall means that the cow cannot
 easily apply her mouth to the orifice and, even if she does, it is
 difficult to make an effective seal around the orifice so that flow
 sufficient to generate a reward is produced. In contrast, a nostril can be
 easily applied and the soft tissue around a cow's nostril forms an
 excellent seal around the orifice indicated at 31 in FIG. 6.
 Apart from the arrangement of the orifice/inlet, all the features of the
 first embodiment, including its variations, are applicable to the second
 embodiment.
 It has been found that cows can be trained "automatically" to use the
 apparatus of either of the embodiments as follows. Cows are identified
 automatically by means described above and this information is
 communicated to the automatic control system for the breath detection
 apparatus. A "new" cow can there be identified and training regime
 initiated by the control system.
 The first aspect of "training" is to distribute small quantities of food at
 random (or possibly regular) time intervals in the stall to encourage the
 cow to enter and investigate. Additionally, a substance which the cow
 likes to lick may be released in or adjacent the inlet/orifice to
 encourage her to put her head in the appropriate position. At this stage,
 the cow may be restrained by some means which comes into action
 automatically.
 The second aspect of the training is to reduce the sensitivity threshold of
 the flow sensor so that the smallest flow rate/volume will cause feed to
 be released. Once the cow "learns" that putting her nostril next to the
 aperture or putting her muzzle in the recess (depending on which
 embodiment is being used) results in feed, i.e. once the release of feed
 is being triggered fairly regularly, the threshold can be raised so that a
 higher volume of breath must be exhaled or a higher flow rate achieved
 before food will be dispensed. At this stage the regular or random
 dispensation of feed unconnected with the detection of flow of breath may
 however be stopped or the time interval between portions of feed being
 dispensed may be increased.
 Again, once the cow has learnt to trigger feed regularly, the threshold can
 be increased, and this can be continued until the desired threshold of
 flow rate and/or volume is regularly achieved. At this point, if it has
 not already been done, the random/regular distribution of feed would
 normally be halted.
 In practice it has been found that a good way of retaining the cow's
 interest is to provide the food incentive after an exhalation of perhaps a
 tenth of the volume which needs to be collected for analysis.
 Approximately 2 litres needs to be collected for analysis normally, so a
 reward could be provided for an exhalation of perhaps 200 ml. It has been
 found that if a cow is set too big a task, it will not correctly operate
 the apparatus and will leave the stall (if not restrained).
 It has also been found that the activation of the flow sensor, which is
 associated with a noise, gives an indication to a cow that she is
 performing the task for which feed will be provided and this can become an
 incentive in its own right. Of course this sort of effect could be
 achieved in many other ways if the flow sensor did not make a noise, e.g.
 a visual olfactory or an alternative auditory indication could be given.