CowTek Inc. ETD-2740 User Manual

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The CowTek HealthWatch

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 system uses an electronic ETD BOLUS

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 (Elevated 

Temperature Detection bolus) to monitor cattle for infections or illnesses which cause 
loss in weight gain or milk production. The ETD BOLUS

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 consists of a weighted 

capsule which rests in the animal’s rumen and incorporates temperature monitoring and 
recording circuitry together with a radio-frequency transmitter to report changes in 
internal temperature which may indicate illness or infection.  In addition to simple long-
term health monitoring, the HealthWatch

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 system also offers special veterinary 

monitoring and fertility detection modes. 

Note: fertility detection is presently in development and is not offered as a 
reliable indicator. This feature is included, however, because it is being 
used in laboratory settings for further research. 

Also, because cattle are less thermally stable than some species and because their normal 
internal temperatures can vary with seasonal, climatic and regional conditions, the ETD 
BOLUS

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 accepts threshold reporting levels which can be set either using the Desktop 

Exciter prior to implanting the bolus. 

To manage and monitor report transmissions from the boluses and to control operational 
modes, in addition to the temperature boluses, the HealthWatch

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 system includes three 

types of external device: a Desktop Exciter to initialize boluses and a Field Receiver to 
monitor cattle over a wide area. 

The ETD BOLUS

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 is an active, battery-powered temperature monitoring device which 

records and tracks temperature changes. The bolus is designed to ignore minor 
temperature fluxuations caused by diet or exertion while reporting prolonged elevated 
temperatures which are indications of illnesses or infections which demand attention and 
treatment.