Apparatus and method for detecting infection and metabolic dys-regulation using breath

A device for predicting illness in an animal, the device comprising:

• an outer housing;
• an RFID reader connected to an outside of the outer housing;
• a breath sample collection mask connected to the outer housing;
• a CO2 concentration sensor in the collection mask;
• a spectrometer in the outer housing, the spectrometer configured to measure the ratio of 12C to 13C in an amount of carbon dioxide in a sample of breath collected from an animal;
• tubing providing an airflow connection for the breath sample from the breath sample collection mask to the spectrometer;
• one or more vacuum pumps in the housing to pull the breath sample into the breath sample collection mask and to transport it through the tubing to the analyzer;
• and
• a processor in the housing for analyzing the collected breath sample.

A method of predicting illness in an animal, the method comprising the steps of:

• collecting a breath sample from an animal;
• diluting the breath sample with a gas that contains no carbon dioxide;
• measuring a concentration or ratio of 12C and 13C in an amount of carbon dioxide from the breath sample;
• comparing the concentration or ratio of 12C and 13C in the carbon dioxide of the breath sample to a threshold value, the threshold value determined by statistical analysis of breath samples from a matched cohort of animals;
• providing a prediction of health or illness of the animal based on the comparison.