Technology in veterinary medicine

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Many of the technologies used in human medicine are also used in the veterinary field, although often in slightly different ways. Veterinarians use a variety of technologies for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes to better understand and improve the health of their animal patients. Recent trends in veterinary technology have moved towards the integration of hand-held devices and consumer based technology to monitor pets and interact with veterinarians.

Medicine The science and practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of physical and mental illnesses

Medicine is the science and practice of establishing the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness. Contemporary medicine applies biomedical sciences, biomedical research, genetics, and medical technology to diagnose, treat, and prevent injury and disease, typically through pharmaceuticals or surgery, but also through therapies as diverse as psychotherapy, external splints and traction, medical devices, biologics, and ionizing radiation, amongst others.

Veterinary medicine deals with the diseases of animals, animal welfare, etc.

Veterinary medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, disorder and injury in non-human animals. The scope of veterinary medicine is wide, covering all animal species, both domesticated and wild, with a wide range of conditions which can affect different species.

Veterinary physician professional who treats disease, disorder, and injury in animals

A veterinary physician, usually called a vet, which is shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon, is a professional who practices veterinary medicine by treating diseases, disorders, and injuries in animals.

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General tools

Thermometer The electronic thermometer is most commonly used in veterinary practice for both large and small animals. Typically temperatures are taken rectally
Stethoscope In veterinary medicine the acoustic stethoscope has a variety of uses, including auscultating the heart and lungs and listening to gut sounds. Different ear pieces and lumens may be employed according to the function
Laryngoscope
Laryngoscope Laryngoscope.jpg
Laryngoscope
Laryngoscopes are typically used in veterinary practices during the process of intubation prior to surgery.

Before laryngoscopes are used, the correct sized blades must be determined as they come in a variety of sizes. [2]

Centrifuge A centrifuge is commonly used in veterinary practices in order to prepare blood samples for analysis. Components of the blood are separated using high velocities and centrifugal force
Autoclave A machine that uses high pressures and temperatures to sterilize surgical equipment. Prior to autoclaving surgical instruments are cleaned and may be sorted and grouped by surgical procedure
Glucometer A tool used to approximate blood glucose levels, often in order to manage type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Common diagnostic technologies

X-Ray
An example of an X-ray from a dog. A large bladder stone (urolith) in a small dog, as shown in an x-ray.JPEG
An example of an X-ray from a dog.
A form of electromagnetic radiation used to examine internal structures such as bones, blood vessels and some organs. In veterinary medicine, restraint methods such as sand bags, tying, manual restraint, and medications are used to increase easy of restraint
Ultrasound Ultrasonic vibrations diagnostically used to examine internal organs by creating a picture.

Better at differentiating between fluids and tissue masses than X-rays. [3]

ECG Electrodes are used to monitor the rate and rhythm of a patient’s heart
BP Monitor A device that uses an inflatable cuff to measure blood pressure
Biochemistry Analyzer Blood samples provided to these devices are assessed on various parameters including levels of various substances and hormones.

Can also be used during serum biochemistry tests which evaluate a number of different conditions including renal function and serum proteins. [4]

Pulse Oximeter A machine used to measure the level of oxygen in an animal’s bloodstream using a sensor that attaches to the device on one end and the animal on the other. [5]
Refractometer
A handheld refractometer. A drop of the sample is placed on the sample screen and is distributed by the plastic cover. Portable-Refractometer-16.jpg
A handheld refractometer. A drop of the sample is placed on the sample screen and is distributed by the plastic cover.
A handheld version of this tool is used to measure the amount of protein present in the blood and urine

Emerging technologies

Emerging TrendsTrend DescriptionExamples of these Trends Emerging in Veterinary Medicine
Vets on DemandContact a vet at any time to have them pay you an at-home visitVetPronto [6] : call this company to have a vet come to your house for a vet visit
Telehealth Contact a vet or vet technician to give advice remotely about health questions or to receive care and education

Subcategories include teleconsulting, telecommunication, teleadvice, teletriage, e-Prescribing, and mHealth. [7]

Treat [8] : text a vet questions regarding your animal’s health and wellness
Telemedicine The exchange of medical information using an electronic device. Used to monitor patients and communicate with owners. Allows for more convenient diagnosis, treatments, and scheduling. [9] Skype: allows a vet to see your pet and their behaviors

Medici [10] : text vets to get a diagnosis and possible treatments

Point-of-Care Testing Diagnostic testing that occurs patient-side and gives quick resultsPetnostics [11] : offers a line of at-home urinalysis tests to test for UTIs, diabetes & bladder stones, read through a phone app
Sensors/Wearables A device that senses the presence of an animal and communicates the information collected in a useful wayWhistle [12] : a wearable tracker that attaches to the collar and tracks the animal’s movements via GPS which is monitorable via phone app
Precision Medicine Medicine that is tailored to the individual animal, with decisions being made accordinglyEmbark [13] : a DNA test for dogs that explores individual breed and health traits

See also

Related Research Articles

American Veterinary Medical Association organization

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), founded in 1863, is a not-for-profit association representing more than 91,000 U.S. veterinarians working in private and corporate practice, government, industry, academia, and uniformed services.

A veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who specializes in a clinical field of veterinary medicine.

Kevin Fitzgerald American veterinarian

Kevin Terrel Fitzgerald, a board certified veterinarian who works at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in his native Denver, Colorado is best known through his visibility on the Animal Planet reality show Emergency Vets and, more recently, E-Vet Interns. Fitzgerald also does stand-up comedy and a little tap dancing. In 2001, he was named one of the 50 most eligible bachelors by People.

The 2007 pet food recalls comprise the contamination and wide recall of many brands of cat and dog foods beginning in March 2007, and the ensuing developments involving the human food supply. The recalls in North America, Europe, and South Africa came in response to reports of renal failure in pets. Initially, the recalls were associated with the consumption of mostly wet pet foods made with wheat gluten from a single Chinese company. After more than three weeks of complaints from consumers, the recall began voluntarily with the Canadian company Menu Foods on 16 March 2007, when a company test showed sickness and death in some of the test animals. Soon after, there were numerous media reports of animal deaths as a result of kidney failure. In the following weeks, several other companies who received the contaminated wheat gluten also voluntarily recalled dozens of pet food brands. One month after the initial recall, contaminated rice protein from a different source in China was also identified as being associated with kidney failure in pets in the United States, while contaminated corn gluten was associated with kidney failure with pets in South Africa. As a result of investigating the 2007 pet food recalls, a broader Chinese protein export contamination investigation unfolded, raising concerns about the safety of the human food supply.

Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine

The Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is a veterinary college in the United States that was founded in 1910 and awards about 100 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degrees each year. It is the only veterinary college in Michigan. It is composed of the departments of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Microbiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Physiology, and Pathobiology, and Diagnostic Investigation. It offers a four-year program leading to the DVM as well as graduate study leading to the master of science (MS) and PhD, and recently a joint program in veterinary medicine and public health (DVM/MPH), affiliated with University of Minnesota's School of Public Health. The college was the setting for the show Vet School Confidential, which originally aired on Animal Planet in 2001.

Holistic veterinary medicine is a type of veterinary medicine that uses alternative medicine in the treatment of animals. The philosophy of a holistic veterinarian emphasizes empathy and minimal invasiveness. Alternative therapies offered by a holistic veterinarian may include, but are not limited to, acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, ethnomedicine and chiropractic.

Veterinary chiropractic

Veterinary chiropractic, also known as animal chiropractic, is the practice of spinal manipulation or manual therapy for animals. Veterinary chiropractors typically treat horses, racing greyhounds, and pets. It has become a fast developing field in animal alternative medicine.

Banfield Pet Hospital is a privately owned company based in Vancouver, Washington, United States, that operates veterinary clinics. Part of the Mars, Incorporated family of companies, Banfield owns clinics in the United States, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Founded in 1955, the company operates many of its 800 plus clinics inside PetSmart stores. Banfield is the largest privately owned veterinary practice in the United States. On April 2, 2014, Banfield Pet Hospital announced its headquarters would be relocating to Vancouver, Washington, from nearby Portland, Oregon.

<i>Bondi Vet</i> Australian factual television series

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Chris Brown (veterinarian) Australian veterinarian, television personality and author

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Annie Harvilicz American veterinarian and animal rights advocate

Annie Harvilicz DVM CVA is a veterinarian and an activist for the animal rights and animal welfare movement. She is the founder and chief medical officer of Animal Wellness Centers, a veterinary hospital in Marina Del Rey, California. Until recently, she served on the national leadership council of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association.

Paraveterinary worker profession

Paraveterinary workers are those people who assist a veterinary physician in the performance of their duties, or carry out animal health procedures autonomously as part of a veterinary care system. The job role varies throughout the world, and common titles include veterinary nurse, veterinary technician, veterinary assistant and veterinary technologist, and variants with the prefix of 'animal health'.

Veterinary medicine in the United States medical treatment of animals in the United States

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Vetter Software

Vetter Software is a privately owned web-based electronic health record (EHR) veterinary healthcare company founded in 2011, in Santa Clara, California. The SaaS company provides a platform for veterinary physicians and pet care professionals. Vetter Software provides veterinary practice management software using the freemium model. The software includes electronic health records (EHR), scheduling, inventory management, billing, lab integrations, and reports.

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), founded in 1876, provides leadership on national veterinary issues, advocates for animal welfare, and works to encourage life balance in veterinary professionals.

Whistle Labs Inc. is a subsidiary of Mars Petcare headquartered in San Francisco, California. It produces and markets the Whistle GPS Pet Tracker, a device worn on a pet's collar that monitors its activity and location. In addition to pet owners, the devices have been used by veterinary researchers.

In the United StatesVeterinary pharmacy is a field of pharmacy practice, in which veterinary pharmacists may compound medications, fill prescriptions, and manage drug therapies for animals. Veterinary pharmacists are licensed pharmacists who specialize in the distribution of medications for animals. This differs slightly from the title of "veterinary pharmacy specialist," who might additionally work in consulting, research, and education for veterinary pharmacy. Regular pharmacists in a variety of settings come into play in the preparation and dispensing of animal medications as well. As veterinarians treat a wide variety of animals with a wide variety of products, pharmacists can help manage these treatments through their compounding and drug knowledge. Compounding is often necessary for animal patients, as they require different dosages and medication forms from humans. Through compounding, pharmacists can adjust a medication for an animal so it is more appealing in taste or appearance. While there is currently no required veterinary pharmacy curriculum in place by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, the American Veterinary Medical Association understands that some veterinary education might be beneficial to pharmacists as community pharmacies continue to supply animal medications.

Matt Carriker is an American veterinarian and YouTuber. Carriker is the founder of three YouTube channels, Demolition Ranch, Vet Ranch, and Off The Ranch. He practices veterinary medicine at Fair Oaks Ranch Veterinary Clinic.

References

  1. "Integrative medicine" . Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  2. "Laryngoscopes" . Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  3. "Ultrasound" . Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  4. "Biochemistry analyzer" . Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  5. "Pulse oximeter" . Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  6. "Mobile Veterinarians - VetPronto". www.vetpronto.com. Retrieved 2017-06-16.
  7. "Telehealth" . Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  8. "Treat | In-Home Vet Care, Grooming, and Training". hello.treat.co. Retrieved 2017-06-16.
  9. "Telehealth" . Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  10. "Medici" . Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  11. "Petnostics - A lifetime of love is only a scan away". Petnostics. Retrieved 2017-06-16.
  12. "Whistle GPS Tracker For Dogs & Cats | Whistle Pet Tracker". Whistle. Retrieved 2017-06-16.
  13. "Embark with us!". embarkvet. Retrieved 2017-06-16.