Buckle up, animal lovers, because the world of pet health care is undergoing a thrilling transformation! With technology leading the charge, we are witnessing an exponential growth in remote patient monitoring and @home diagnostics, propelling care into the comforts of our own homes. Litter boxes, smart collars, feeders and advanced diagnostic tools are taking center stage, offering unprecedented insights into our furry companions’ health. This monumental shift towards home-based care holds the potential to revolutionize veterinary medicine, with remarkable implications for early detection, personalized treatment and overall well-being.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Dr. Aaron Massecar wrote “Home Is the Emerging Care Site” in the August/September issue (bit.ly/home-TVB). He then prompted ChatGPT to rewrite the article. See both versions to gain a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of ChatGPT. This article is unedited.
One striking statistic that has been making waves in the industry is the revelation that 30% of care is shifting into the home. This trend, predominantly observed in human medicine, is rapidly gaining traction in the realm of companion animal health care. In fact, the parallel shift happening in the veterinary field seems to be even more accelerated, as technology opens up a world of possibilities for pet owners and veterinary professionals alike.
Let’s delve into the two main avenues through which this care shift is taking place: remote patient monitoring and @home diagnostics. While products such as litter boxes, cameras/feeders, and smart collars are not entirely new, their usage and the wealth of information they provide have reached unprecedented heights. For instance, litter boxes like the Litter Robot by Whisker have evolved into data collectors, tracking various aspects of your cat’s behavior and health. From time spent in the litter box to frequency and even pet weight, these litter boxes amass hundreds of data points every day. Though the connection with veterinarians is yet to be fully established, the potential for early detection of renal diseases and other health issues is immense. Imagine going on vacation and receiving real-time weight data on your cat. With this information, you can make data-informed decisions, adjusting their feeder to ensure they maintain their ideal weight. No more guesswork; it’s precision care driven by data!
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Smart collars have transcended their initial purpose of activity and location monitoring, now providing valuable health data such as heart rate, respiratory rate and even glucose measurements. Imagine a smart collar equipped with laser-based ultrasound capabilities that can monitor glucose levels, potentially replacing invasive methods.
GlucoSound and other smartwatches with similar capabilities are poised to transform glucose monitoring, offering a noninvasive and long-lasting alternative to traditional methods.
Smart feeders, too, have come a long way. While companies like Furbo and Petcube have enabled remote interactions with our pets for years, recent advancements have taken them to new heights. Furbo, for example, can now measure anxiety levels through barking and even alert owners to potential dangers like broken glass. And get ready for the next-generation leap with Companion, a smart camera and feeder that offers training plans for dogs and monitors their orthopedic health by tracking skeletal movements. On top of that, Companion provides body conditioning scores to help pet owners track weight gain or loss. It’s like having a personal trainer and nutritionist for your furry friend!
Venturing further, we encounter smart implants, where companies like Zimmer Biomet have revolutionized orthopedics for humans. While primarily focused on human applications, their technology could easily be adapted for veterinary medicine, particularly in equine orthopedics. Imagine smart implants providing real-time data on an animal’s recovery progress, enabling remote monitoring and personalized care plans. The potential is staggering.
Individually, each technological advancement represents a leap forward in companion animal care. However, when combined, the possibilities for exponential growth in health outcomes become truly remarkable. Pairing smart collars with smart litter boxes and smart feeders opens up a world of precise caloric tracking, essential for combating the obesity epidemic plaguing our beloved pets. By monitoring activity and behavior over time, we can detect early signs of orthopedic or neurological diseases. Food trials to test allergies can be conducted proactively, rather than waiting for hotspots to emerge. The ecosystem of remote patient monitoring is becoming an invaluable tool in veterinary care, unleashing a flood of data that must be skillfully incorporated into comprehensive care plans.
Yet, as we embrace this technological revolution, we must also acknowledge the need for advanced diagnostics. Early screening is crucial, but there are instances where more sophisticated tools are required for accurate diagnoses. Thankfully, companies like Butterfly and GE’s Caption Health have introduced remote ultrasound technologies that can be used at home. Butterfly’s portable ultrasound device, when plugged into a smartphone, can be used by pet owners themselves, enabling remote monitoring and consultation with veterinarians. GE’s Caption Health takes it a step further, utilizing AI and sensors to guide users without ultrasound experience, ensuring accurate imaging and diagnosis.
Beyond ultrasounds, noninvasive diagnostic tools are making waves. GI Logic and GutNote offer devices that monitor gastrointestinal health from outside the abdomen, providing insights into digestive states and customized dietary recommendations. Digital stethoscopes like AeviceMD, WITHaPET and Cotons Sense 1 offer 24/7 monitoring, allowing veterinarians to assess heart and lung sounds remotely.
The rise of genetic testing further augments our ability to determine treatment plans. The combined power of remote patient monitoring, diagnostics and genetic testing holds the potential for a paradigm shift in veterinary medicine. However, with this influx of data, veterinary teams face new challenges in managing and interpreting the information flooding their systems. Integrations, verifiability and understanding the practical implications of this data pose critical questions for the industry. As clinics grapple with managing appointment schedules and clients receive notifications about potential health concerns for their animals, the stage is set for virtual care to take the spotlight. This presents a unique market opportunity for forward-thinking veterinary professionals to capitalize on this technological revolution.
In conclusion, the home has emerged as the new frontier in veterinary care, driven by remarkable technological advancements. As the landscape continues to evolve, we must embrace the potential of remote patient monitoring, @home diagnostics and the vast amount of data they generate. Through seamless integration and a thoughtful approach, veterinary teams can leverage this wealth of information to provide unparalleled care, enhance early detection and empower pet owners to make data-informed decisions. The future of veterinary medicine is here, and it’s an exciting era where the well-being of our furry companions thrives in the comforts of their own homes.
GET TO WORK!
Socially Acceptable columnist Dr. Caitlin DeWilde explained how veterinary practices can assign marketing tasks to ChatGPT. Read “Your New Intern: ChatGPT” at bit.ly/ChatGPT-TVB.