New discoveries in veterinary medicine transforming pet care

    

Thanks to new technology in veterinary medicine, veterinarians are using tools once found only in human medicine to make care safer, faster and more comfortable. And science is moving just as quickly as technology, with new discoveries and research in veterinary medicine providing veterinarians with powerful ways to help pets.

These breakthroughs may sound like science fiction, but they’re real, and they’re transforming the way cats and dogs are cared for.

 

3D printing for custom solutions

Before this innovation, making implants or prosthetics for animals was costly and time-consuming. 3D printing has changed that by making it faster, more affordable and more precise. Using detailed scans, veterinarians can design custom braces and prosthetics which can help shorten recovery time and improve comfort. 

By creating surgical 3D-printed replica models before surgery, veterinarians can operate with greater precision and shorten recovery time for pets.

Wearable technology

If you’ve ever worn a smartwatch to track your steps or monitor your heart rate, you already know the power of wearable tech. Imagine a smart collar or vest equipped with sensors that can monitor your pet’s vital signs, such as heart rate, temperature and activity levels with real-time alerts sent straight to your phone or even your veterinarian. These innovative tools make it possible to catch problems sooner, allowing veterinarians to detect concerns faster and deliver treatments that improve pets’ quality of life.

Advancing diagnostic tools

Even the tools veterinarians use every day are getting a high-tech makeover. New ultrasound technology with flexible sensors makes it easier to scan pets of all sizes, including tiny kittens. Stethoscopes may soon get an upgrade with designs that incorporate AI to detect abnormalities and calculate heart rate from audio clips.

Targeted treatments for common and difficult to treat diseases

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb for short) are a newer type of treatment that helps your pet’s immune system fight specific diseases.

Promising results mean that veterinarians may have new ways of treating:

• Canine parvovirus—a frustrating and serious viral infection in dogs. mAbs work by sticking to the virus and stopping it and preventing it from moving into cells. 
  
• Arthritis pain in dogs. mAbs target nerve growth factors to treat arthritic pain.
• Melanoma and mast cell tumors in dogs. mAbs work to block immune responses, allowing the body to recognize and kill cancer cells.
  
  

New medications on the horizon

Complications from chronic kidney disease in cats and pancreatitis in dogs are two common conditions that have been difficult to manage historically. But thanks to new discoveries and research in veterinary medicine, there soon may be safe and effective treatments:

• One medication that shows promise for dogs with acute pancreatitis works by reducing inflammation and limiting damage to the pancreas and other organs, rather than just treating symptoms.
  
• Another new medication may help cats with anemia caused by chronic kidney disease. Through a complex mechanism of action, this medication encourages the body to produce more red blood cells, improving blood counts and helping cats feel better.
  

From cutting-edge drugs to 3D-printed prosthetics and smart wearables, new research and discoveries in veterinary medicine are transforming how veterinarians care for pets. These tools can help make treatments faster, safer and more personalized, helping animals recover comfortably and live healthier, happier lives.

Ready to expand your knowledge about pet medicine even further? Learn all about Veterinary Herbal Therapy. >>