The veterinary medicine field has grown by leaps and bounds with the introduction of new technologies, allowing veterinarians to make a faster and more accurate diagnosis. New technologies have not only improved the outcome for many pets, but also made veterinary care more affordable for owners and accessible to patients. Now, more than ever before there is better health care available to patients in a general practice allowing veterinarians to better treat patients and ultimately increase the likelihood of a positive outcome. Here are some of those technologies available today.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of organs and soft tissues within the body. MRI technology has been extremely impactful in examining the brains of animals as well as orthopedic and soft tissue damage in a variety of animals. MRI Scans are the main diagnostic tool for neurologists in finding brain and spinal cord injuries, brain tumors, head trauma, degenerative neurological conditions, examining the inner structures of the eye, and other parts of the nervous system.  In addition, getting MRI scans before orthopedic procedures can allow veterinarians to better pin point the location of an injury and improve the chances of surgical success. While it can be positively used, animals must be under anesthesia as they have to be completely still for the technology to be successful.

Ultrasound:

A less expensive and more accessible option to MRI technology is ultrasounds. Ultrasound units use sound waves higher than the frequency humans can hear, to examine internal organs and tissues. Ultrasound technology is useful for a variety of purposes, most commonly to examine patients with heat murmurs or defects, and has become even more accessible with the introduction of small, portable ultrasound units.

3-D Printing:

3-D printing has recently been used to create bone structure or other internal structure models to better understand a patient’s anatomy prior to operating, and increasing the likelihood of a successful procedure. 3-D printing can also be used to create prosthetics and other structures to increase the quality of life of pets with severe injuries.

Recombinant DNA:

Recombinant DNA has allowed for several biotechnological advances including gene therapy, which allows veterinarians to help treat genetic diseases and abnormalities ailing their patients. In addition, a more complex understanding of rDNA has allowed for quicker, and increased production of many drugs and pharmaceuticals including insulin. This in turn has decreased the cost of those medications, making them more widely accessible to all pet owners.

Technology has already changed the veterinary medicine field in a matter of several years and will likely continue to do so in the future. More accessible technologies have allowed veterinarians to better diagnose, and more effectively treat patients with a variety of illnesses which in turn, has made them more accessible for clients and their beloved pets.

COVID-19 has impacted many aspects of our lives, but many people don’t realize the true effect it’s had on veterinarians and veterinary clinics. As a result of the pandemic, clinics have struggled with significantly longer wait times for appointments and services, being forced to turn away new clients to keep up with demand of the current clients, and a shortage of veterinarians and technicians, leading to frustration for veterinary staff and clients alike.

With many people working from home during the pandemic, the number of adoptions and demand for puppies and kittens has skyrocketed. According to Petfinder.com, “Inquiries about pet adoptions increased 70% between March 2020 and March 2021”, in addition to people purchasing new puppies and kittens. While this is a positive with high adoption rates, it also means veterinarians have to see more patients and open their door for new clients.

As a result of the pandemic, veterinary clinics have had to reduce their schedules and switch to curbside service. This in turn has increased the wait times to receive an appointment, and also increased the time spent at the actual appointment. While the pandemic is slowly winding down, most clinics are still operating on a reduced schedule with more workload. Clients with sick animals quickly become frustrated with this wait, and it is devastating to veterinary clinics to have to turn them away. Add in the increased number of clients and patients to see, and there is more demand than veterinarians.

The results of the COVID pandemic have caused stress on both veterinarians and clients. As a result, the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges stated over “35% of all vet techs burn out”, and there are record low numbers of veterinarians and staff.  With this shortage of staff and already prolonged wait times, the situation is only amplified.

Veterinary clinics are trying their hardest to accommodate for as many patients as they can. At Palmer Animal Hospital, we are reserving same-day appointments for sick patients, and trying to accommodate as many clients as we can see on a reduced schedule. We would appreciate your patience as the pandemic comes to a close, and don’t forget to thank your vet today.

Our pets are a large part of our lives, so it comes as no surprise that owners want their animals to feel their best. Rehabilitative laser therapy can serve as a noninvasive option and is useful in helping to treat a variety of injuries from sprains, strains, arthritis, swelling, back disc problems, muscular and skeletal abnormalities, and can also be used on incisions following surgery to promote healing of the area.

 Laser therapy has been used on humans for over 50 years, however, it is a relatively new practice in dogs, cats, and other animals. Cold therapy lasers also called low-level lasers or Class IV lasers use a light to stimulate cell regeneration and an increase in blood flow to tissues. Hot therapy lasers do the same but use a more high-powered light to reach deeper tissues and can come with a greater chance of cutting and burning the skin due to increased intensity of the laser beam if not used properly.

Laser therapy is becoming increasingly common in veterinary practices as a result of its non-invasiveness, and lack of side effects. Laser treatments last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the body part being treated and are generally performed 2 to 3 times per week depending on the severity of the patient. Before patients receive a treatment, there is no prep work or shaving of the area, and the dog can return to normal activities after the treatment. The treatment is not painful, and many patients enjoy the treatment as it allows them to feel better.

Laser therapy can be a useful option for owners to use to treat injuries or arthritis causing discomfort to their animals as well as post-surgical procedures to help support their pet’s well-being and provide pain relief.