4 New Technologies That Could Change the Way We Care for Animals
Technology and other advances in veterinary medicine have doubled the life expectancy of dogs over the past 40 years. And there’s a lot more on the way. Here are four new technologies we think are poised to change the way we care for animals—and help them live even longer, healthier lives.
Telemedicine
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use of telemedicine in veterinary practices across the country, but its benefits will extend well past physical distancing mandates. Telemedicine allows for easier access to care, giving animal owners one more way to communicate with their veterinarians. Having the ability to book a virtual visit may make pet owners more likely to make—and keep—veterinary appointments. And being seen sooner and perhaps more frequently would be a boon for animal health and has the potential to improve care outcomes.
Wearable devices
Pet fitness wearables have been around for nearly a decade, but competition has only recently driven down the cost down enough to make it accessible to the masses. And that’s good news, considering researchers at the University of Haifa found that pet wearables not only increase animal fitness but fitness in pet owners as well. These devices, depending on the model, are designed to locate lost pets, track activity and fluid intake, and monitor vitals, such as heart rate, body temperature, respiration rate and more.
Cancer treatment
About one in four dogs will develop cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. (It’s less clear how many cats are affected by cancer; some say one in five.) What we do know is that the incidence of cancer among pets is on the rise. Fortunately, so is effective treatment. In fact, scientists are increasingly studying human cancer treatment in animals, opening up an array of options that were previously reserved for bipeds. And according to Health for Animals, there are a number of “start-up treatment companies that aim to help veterinary oncologists decide a final treatment plan, based on the results of biopsy testing.”
Tissue regeneration
Osteoarthritis is often debilitating to animals, even leading to lameness in some cases. So researchers are exploring the use of stem cell technology to help regenerate damaged tissue in animals. One biotech startup has already developed a stem-cell based medicine for the treatment of lameness in horses that’s been approved for marketing authorization in Europe.