Patent Application
20250169464
The present invention relates in general to animal bedding and, in particular, to animal bedding including a status indicator for monitoring health or environment of the animal.
Conventional small animal bedding can be formed of paper fibers. US Patent Publication Number 20070012259 describes a cellulose particulate provided in bright white or in vivid colors. Brightness and color clarity are maintained during manufacture by apparatus having non-corroding surfaces.
In the realm of laboratory animal science, a primary concern is the monitoring of the health and well-being of research animals. It is desirable to provide improved animal bedding including an indicator for monitoring the health of the animal to benefit research, husbandry practices and animal welfare.
The present invention relates to small animal bedding comprising an indicator feature that responds to specific biomarkers in mouse urine and fecal matter and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, the small animal bedding can be used for rodents, such as for example mice and rats. Urinary and fecal biomarkers can be used as potential markers for disease. Example biomarkers can include indicators of stress, infection, or dehydration. The indicator feature can be a change of color of the bedding.
In one embodiment, if there is a high level of alkaline in urine excreted from an animal onto the bedding, the indicator feature of the bedding will change color. The change of color of the indicator feature of the bedding provides an early visual indication of potential health abnormalities of the animal.
In one embodiment, the indicator feature of the bedding can be an ammonia sensitive component. The indicator feature will change color when an ammonia level adjacent to the bedding reaches a predetermined threshold. For example, the bedding will change color when ammonia levels exceed the threshold, signaling the need for a bedding change.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
Indicator 14 can be associated or integral with animal bedding 12. For example, indicator 14 can be combined during formation of animal bedding 12. In one embodiment, indicator 14 can be coated or sprayed on animal bedding 12. In one embodiment, indicator 14 can comprise indicator material 15 which is separate from animal bedding 12 and is combined with animal bedding 12. Indicator material 15 can comprise fibrous or particulate material. Animal bedding 12 can comprise fibrous or particulate material. The fibrous or particulate material of indicator material 15 can be combined with the fibrous or particulate material of animal bedding 12. Animal bedding 12 can be used as an animal litter.
Indicator 14 can comprise one or more urinary and/or fecal biomarkers. Example biomarkers can include indicators of stress, infection, or dehydration. Indicator 14 can change color due to the presence or absence of one or more urinary or fecal biomarkers. Example urinary biomarkers found in mouse urine include albumin, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), osteopontin (OPN), cystatin C, N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG), and beta-2 microglobulin (B2M). Example fecal biomarkers include fecal volatile organic compounds.
Ammonia indicator 16 can comprise an ammonia sensitive component. Ammonia indicator 16 can change color when an ammonia level adjacent to animal bedding 12 reaches a predetermined threshold. Ammonia indicator 16 can optionally be used with indicator 14. Ammonia indicator 16 can comprise a pH sensitive indicator. Example materials for ammonia indicator 16 include phenolphthalein and bromothymol blue.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63603553 | Nov 2023 | US |
