A system for conducting inhalation studies includes an inhalation exposure chamber and an aerosol delivery line connected to the inhalation exposure chamber. The aerosol delivery line is configured to produce a bi-directional and symmetrical presentation of aerosol to the inhalation exposure chamber. A laminar flow element is configured to create an ante-chamber where complete and turbulent mixing of the aerosol occurs. A radial exhaust and the laminar flow element enable laminar flow of the aerosol through the inhalation exposure chamber.

An animal head gate includes head gate doors each having a squeeze bar to trap the neck mounted between upper and lower rails. Adjustment of the spacing between the bars uses an eccentric crank operated by lever which cooperates with two manual latches on a rail at maximum and minimum spacing. A neck sweep bar is mounted on one gate and movable from a retracted position to a position forward of the squeeze bar across the head gate so as to engage the neck of the animal in front of the squeeze bar and to turn the neck and head. The head gate is held closed by front and rear abutment members each of which is formed as a roller which rotates to reduce friction under load. Each gate includes an upstanding torsion bar which twists when forces are applied to the squeeze bars from impact with the animal.

An animal head gate includes head gate doors each having a squeeze bar to trap the neck mounted between upper and lower rails. Adjustment of the spacing between the bars uses an eccentric crank operated by lever which cooperates with two manual latches on a rail at maximum and minimum spacing. A neck sweep bar is mounted on one gate and movable from a retracted position to a position forward of the squeeze bar across the head gate so as to engage the neck of the animal in front of the squeeze bar and to turn the neck and head. The head gate is held closed by front and rear abutment members each of which is formed as a roller which rotates to reduce friction under load. Each gate includes an upstanding torsion bar which twists when forces are applied to the squeeze bars from impact with the animal.

An automatic animal processing device for automatically retrieving a domestic animal partly from a stall to process the animal while restraining the animal. The animal processing device includes an animal controlling mechanism operative to engage, position and restrain the animal for processing. The animal controlling mechanism may include at least on articulated arm to constrain and immobilize an animal to process it, e.g. milk it. The animal processing device may be a milking machine may be a milking machine having a milking head assembly and a cleaning system therefor whereby the milking head assembly is cleaned inside a compartment. The animal processing device may be a dual animal milking machine having full and half operation modes whereby two sets of processing equipments are used to service two animals simultaneously or only one set is used for both respectively.

A leech therapy device adapted to latch a medicinal leech to a predetermined wound site is provided. The leech therapy device incudes a conduit extending between a first end to a second end; an inner diameter of the conduit dimensioned to receive a medicinal leech, the inner diameter being less than twice a girth of the medicinal leech; and a cutout provided in the conduit closer to the first end than the second end; the cutout extending over a surface area between 100 and 150 squared millimeters. Wherein a user places a medicinal leech into the inner diameter, wherein a head of the medicinal leech is adjacent to the cutout, and then the user selectively positions said leech therapy device so that the cutout substantially circumscribed the wound site so that the medicinal leech can engage the wound site.

The present invention provides a platform and/or associated structure for weighing an animal, the platform and/or associated structure being configured to conceal, or configured to facilitate concealment, from the animal of a foreign sensory stimulus of the platform and/or associated structure. The platform may be configured to retain a natural material (such as soil) or a simulated natural material on or about the platform and/or associated structure. The platform is typically incorporated into a weighing apparatus for use with larger animals such as cattle.

Shock-absorbing bumpers that are adapted and configured to be attached to an interior wall of an animal hauling slant load trailer and positioned to contact the shoulder of an equine when the equine is driven forward by a deceleration or braking of the trailer. The bumper(s) are positioned to contact and restrain the equine shoulder allowing it to lean into it, thereby preventing the unnecessary extension of and stress on the animal's right front leg and hoof.

Provided is a method for treating animals, such as livestock, by exposing the animals to an airborne suspension of finely divided mineral salts. Treatment is effected upon inspiration of the mineral salts or skin contact with the mineral salts. The animals are accommodated in a treatment chamber with a substantially sealed limited confined volume and has a pressure difference airflow means, a dispensing means for the mineral salts and dessicant(s) in the walls and on the floor of the treatment chamber. The treatment chamber is a stationary installation or adapted as a trailer to treat animals during a journey or to transport the treatment chamber to the animals location, for example, a zoo or to apiaries.

Provided is a method for treating animals, such as livestock, by exposing the animals to an airborne suspension of finely divided mineral salts. Treatment is effected upon inspiration of the mineral salts or skin contact with the mineral salts. The animals are accommodated in a treatment chamber with a substantially sealed limited confined volume and has a pressure difference airflow means, a dispensing means for the mineral salts and dessicant(s) in the walls and on the floor of the treatment chamber. The treatment chamber is a stationary installation or adapted as a trailer to treat animals during a journey or to transport the treatment chamber to the animals location, for example, a zoo or to apiaries.

A four-legged animal lifter. Lifting straps extend downward from a rotatable horse support structure. Four harnesses are connected to the lifting straps and are attached to the legs of the four-legged animal. A lifting apparatus is attached to the rotatable horse structure and is for lifting the four-legged animal upwards to reduce weight on the animal's legs. In preferred embodiment the four-legged animal is a horse.