Pet owners are more concerned with the health, wellbeing, and longevity of their animals than ever before. Veterinary medicine has taken the cue, discovering and developing new revolutionary technologies to help treat our furry family members.
Below are some of the most recent scientific breakthroughs and advancements in the veterinarian world of medicine.
Wearables
Pretty soon, you might not be the only one checking your step count. Fitness Trackers are becoming increasingly popular in the pet industry, already raking in more than $1 billion and are expected to hit $2.5 billion by 2024. These trackers will help pet parents and veterinarians monitor and detect health issues early on.
Cancer Treatments
Like humans, cancer is one of the leading causes of death in dogs, making this one of the highest areas of concern in animal research. While previous diagnoses often meant an eventual fatality, new scientific studies are finding that the same treatments that are reducing tumor sizes in humans are also functioning in dogs. There is even a canine cancer vaccine that is currently undergoing testing.
Anesthesia
Advancements in anesthesia and anesthetic monitoring technology are making it easier and safer for animals to go under during medical procedures. The new veterinary anesthesias produce less adverse side effects, are easier on the animal’s cardiovascular system, and help the patient to recover more quickly once the procedure is over. New monitoring technology also allows vets to take more control in administration, knowing when to increase or decrease the gas.
Laser Surgery
Something that has been quickly growing in popularity for human surgeries has now made its way to the vet table. Laser surgery offers a less invasive and less painful way to perform simple to complex surgical procedures. Some popular uses include spays and neuters, tumor removal, eyelid surgery, ear surgery, mouth and throat procedures, and more.
Telemedicine
A growing comfortability with digital tools, especially video calls, is reducing the need for in-office visits. Similar to how some human patients are now opting to contact their doctor via video for simple and standard diagnoses and treatments, vets are also answering the call for digital visits to help pet owners manage minor illnesses and injuries. Of course, some visits will still require a human touch (literally).
Stem Cell Therapy
A technology still in its growth stage, stem cell therapy can help to regenerate damaged tissue. This procedure could help with issues of arthritis, injury, lameness in horses, cancer, stomatitis, dry eye, and other common illnesses and injuries in companion animals. However, testing and research are still being done to discover its possibilities and limitations.
Other technologies making their way to veterinarians
The above are just a sample of the technologies being introduced into the animal health industry. However, there are many more “new” ways we are treating pets. Many procedures, technologies, and medicines that were once only available to humans are now found to be just as beneficial for animals.
Additional examples of “human medicine” that is making its way into veterinarian practices include:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Laparoscopy
- Ultrasounds
- Genetic Testing
- Prosthetics
- Medicines (Bayer, Benadryl, Ketoprofen, probiotics, supplements, etc.)
Finding Quality Veterinarian Equipment
At TriStar Vet, we focus on building kennels, vet scales, exam tables, and other equipment specialized for the unique needs of veterinarians. From stainless kennel and trench drain designs to easy-to-operate veterinary scales, see how our products can improve the efficiency and ergonomics of your practice.