Technology is impacting every aspect of our lives in broad and far-reaching ways, including health and well-being, work, transportation, communication, relationships, and recreation. The veterinary profession is no exception and has been significantly impacted by technology, such as 3D printing and telemedicine, which have been previously mentioned. Additionally, technology has had a myriad of impacts on the veterinary field, with some prime examples listed below.
In recent years, the variety of wearable medical devices for animals (as well as humans) has increased. Similar to the pedometers that many people use to count their steps, cows have movement monitors mounted on their legs or necks. These devices are used for artificial insemination scheduling by establishing baseline data on an individual's movement, which is interpreted as an estrus signal once activity levels exceed a specific threshold. There are also devices that can assess the condition of a dog's fetus in the final days of gestation and even predict when a horse is approaching labor, and the manufacturer notes that these devices are suitable for detecting signs of labor in sheep, alpacas, and cattle.
While early canine wearable technology was only capable of locating an animal's position, subsequent improvements have added more functionality, such as monitoring vital signs (temperature, pulse and respiration). These devices can collect and assess data on a pet's health and well-being, both to detect new health problems and for ongoing monitoring of existing diseases. However, unlike human devices that rely on skin-to-skin contact, such contact is difficult to achieve in most pets, so alternatives have emerged, such as using motion detection to monitor a dog's pulse and respiration.
The use of automated milking systems, also known as robotic milkers, is becoming increasingly popular in the Canadian dairy industry. These systems not only clean udders, milk and apply teat dip, but also record the time and duration of milking, as well as the amount of milk produced. If the cow does not meet expected standards, the system will automatically sound an alarm. In addition, most systems dispense feed, and some of the devices can detect components in the milk, such as progesterone concentrations (for monitoring reproductive function) or multiple biomarkers (for detecting mastitis or metabolic disease). The range of compounds that can be monitored will expand further in the future as diagnostic technology for human health advances, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of animal health and function.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) uses computer technology to mimic the human mind, almost instantly recognizing patterns and associations that may require significant human time and effort to discover. In veterinary medicine, AI is used in a variety of diagnostic tasks, such as interpreting radiologic images to help detect abnormalities earlier. Someone once said, “AI and other digital tools won't replace veterinarians, but they will replace practitioners who don't use these technologies.” There is no doubt that more types of data will be collected, analyzed and utilized in the future. We need to be prepared to adopt and apply current and future technologies to enhance care and better meet the growing expectations of our clients. We are at the forefront of technological innovation, and as new technologies continue to emerge, the future of the industry will be even more exciting!