The way we treat animals has evolved dramatically over the years, and one of the main reasons for this is the advancement of medical technology. What was once a profession that only concerned itself with army horses has become one that cares for all animals, domestic or otherwise.
While we can run tests and spot signs of ill health in animals, they can’t tell us what’s wrong themselves; that’s where new equipment comes in. Advancements in medical technology allow vets to bypass this barrier by more accurately monitoring vital signs, bodily functions and behaviour.
We often hear about breakthroughs in medical science, but these stories are almost always about human treatment. What about the emerging technology in veterinary medicine? Here are 5 of the most exciting advancements in the field.
AI
Artificial intelligence is a hot topic in a number of industries right now. AI is essential in the development of driverless car technology and the advancement of voice assistant devices, but it has applications in veterinary medicine too.
There are already plans to introduce veterinary-specific smart kiosks, which already exist for humans and use AI to provide first-opinion primary care. This takes the strain off doctors whilst still offering treatment for patients. In 15 minutes, the kiosk can use AI and AR to compile a detailed health analysis that is then reviewed and confirmed with a healthcare professional via video consultation.
There are multiple ways that AI is being used in medicine, but smart kiosks are a really exciting development for veterinarians. More animals will be able to be seen in less time, whilst utilising a full health profile to decide the course of treatment.
Wearable technology
Wearable technology is being developed for both humans and animals, and the biggest benefit is how accurately it can monitor vital signs and body functions whilst not being invasive.
A collar or other wearable device can be worn by the animal for any length of time without providing discomfort. All the while, the data collected will be recorded on another device so that the next time the animal visits the vet, there will be a complete health profile available. This allows for more accurate treatment as well as early detection of any potential health risks.
Remote consultations
Another development that goes hand in hand with wearable tech, and one that could significantly reduce waiting times to see a vet, is the introduction of remote consultations. Video consultations between owners, their pets and vets allow vets to use the data collected by a wearable to understand the animal’s health better than they would from a short visit.
Using this method, vets can still see their patients but will be able to determine which cases require a remote or in-office visit, alleviating the workload of a stretched workforce whilst not compromising on care.
Precision medicine
Precision or personalised medicine is a move towards better health care that treats the patient rather than just the disease. Currently, animals may be prescribed a course of treatment to cure one ailment that could aggravate another or leave them vulnerable to a problem that they have a predisposition to.
Personalised medicine takes a holistic approach by collating information from numerous sources, such as data and informatics, whole-genome technology and the data gathered by wearable technology.
VR training
Virtual and augmented reality software is no longer confined to the world of video games. The real-world application of this technology has been adopted by many industries for training purposes, and this could soon be the norm for vets and veterinary students too.
Surgeons currently use VR systems to practice keyhole surgery to make the experience of using a model more realistic. VR and AR are also being utilised in veterinary training courses to better understand animal anatomy. Using VR, surgical simulations can be altered in real-time to represent unexpected complications that may occur during surgery, as well as recording performance so that vets can measure their progress.
There’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to emerging technology in veterinary medicine. Most developments that come from human medicine can be adapted for vets too, and even advancements in non-medical technology can be transferrable.
Earlier this year, The University of Adelaide announced they are launching a bachelor’s degree program in Veterinary Technology, so the coming years should see even more advancements in the way we treat animals. This will be especially true if the degree proves to be popular and more universities launch similar courses.