Author: Elianne Liong

In order for veterinary organizations to operate effectively, they have a variety of day-to-day tasks that they must perform. It is important to simplify these tasks whenever possible. By utilizing a management tool to streamline workflows and reduce administrative burdens, animal-care practices can gain a competitive edge by maintaining accurate records and data. While there are many veterinary practice management systems available, it can be challenging to choose the right one. It is important for practices to select a tool that can be easily integrated into their current platform and supports the features they already use to ensure a smooth workflow.

Here are some vital capabilities to look for when hunting for an upgraded Veterinary Practice Management System:

Online Scheduling

Having a seamless practice management system is crucial for a good staff, pet owner, and patient experience. Using an online scheduling tool can really cut down on phone bill and make things more efficient. You want to have an online calendar on your website that lets clients schedule appointments quickly and easily.

One great thing about having an online calendar is that it eliminates long wait times on the phone. Your clients can schedule their appointments at their convenience and get an idea of how long they’ll have to wait. So, when you’re looking for a practice management solution, make sure it includes an easy-to-use cloud-based or digital calendar for appointment scheduling.

Automated Appointments

Proper process management is key to clinical success. When running a veterinary clinic, it is crucial to hit your financial and quality targets. That’s why it’s important to get your hands on the latest and greatest veterinary software in the market.

Veterinary clinic employees have a crucial role to play in the lives of their patients, both furry and not-so-furry. They are responsible for the health and wellbeing of animals, which is a tough job in itself. But in addition to this, they also have to deal with many non-veterinary tasks that are part and parcel of running a clinic. Tasks like hiring new veterinary team members, managing supplies, marketing, and other administrative tasks can quickly pile up and become overwhelming. This is where special tools and IT systems come into play. With the right system in place, clinic employees can simplify their daily tasks, streamline their workflows, and save valuable time and resources.

By choosing the right system, veterinary facilities can achieve their targets and objectives, while also providing their patients with the best care possible. A good system can help automate repetitive tasks, track inventory and supplies, and even provide real-time analytics to help clinics make informed decisions. On the other hand, choosing the wrong system can have the opposite effect. It can slow down operations, reduce efficiency, and even harm the clinic’s reputation in the long run. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose wisely and ensure that the system you choose is compatible with your clinic’s existing workflow and can integrate easily with other tools and software.

Seamless Billing And Payments

One of the key features that a good practice management system should have is a hassle-free payment method. Whether it’s for your clients or your staff, you want transactions to be quick and easy. This is where seamless payment methods come in.

Ideally, your software should allow for simple payment methods like swiping a card or accepting payments on mobile devices. It should be quick and easy, so your staff can spend more time with your patients and less time processing payments. Another great feature to look for in a payment system is the ability to save credit card information. This can save your clients time on their next visit, as they won’t have to go through the payment process all over again. It also saves you and your staff time by not having to manually enter the payment information every time.

By scanning the patient’s insurance card, the front desk staff can quickly and easily gather all the necessary information. This eliminates the need for a copy machine to make a double-sided copy of the card and saves time. Furthermore, payment details can be confusing and hinder the client from understanding their payment responsibility and what they owe after the insurance has paid. Practice management software can notify the receptionist if a patient as has open balance on his or her account.

In today’s fast-paced world, people expect quick and easy payment options. Having a reliable payment method is not only convenient for your clients but also helps to keep your business running smoothly. So, make sure to choose a veterinary practice management system that has a seamless payment method that fits your clinic’s needs.

Collaboration

One of the most important aspects of running a successful medical practice is effective collaboration between clients and veterinarians. Medical practice software with collaboration features, such as direct messaging, phone appointments, and automated reminders, can greatly improve patient interactions and develop stronger relationships between patients and their physicians.

These tools allow patients to request refills, upload important documents, and communicate with their doctors through various channels, including email and secure instant message chat-boxes. This ensures that patients receive timely and accurate information, which can help them make more informed decisions about their healthcare.

Medical practice management software also offers benefits on the physician side. With the patient portal feature, physicians can digitally input prescriptions and securely send patients on their way to the pharmacy. This eliminates the need for paper prescriptions and helps providers stay connected with their patients through email and chat boxes.

Thinking of Introducing an LMS system to your veterinary clinic, hospital, or chain. You wouldn’t be the first one. You’d be among many this year that have chosen to opt for this highly beneficial system. 

So here’s what we’ll be discussing throughout this article! 

• What is an LMS?
• What Purpose does it serve?
• In what ways can Advanced Technologies can Improve an LMS
• Advantages of an LMS?
• Key Features in an LMS

What is an LMS?

LMS stands for Learning Management System. It is a software application or platform that enables the creation, delivery, and management of educational content and resources.

Learning management systems (LMSs) are designed to detect any deficiencies in training and learning using data analysis and reporting. They not only facilitate e-learning, but also act as a center for online content such as courses, modules, specializations, assessments, and discussion forums. Modern LMSs apply advanced algorithms to make personalized course recommendations based on the user’s skillset, as well as extracting data from e-learning materials to give more accurate suggestions. It also allows for tracking student progress and performance, administering assignments and exams, and generating reports.

LMSs are commonly used in educational institutions such as schools, colleges, and universities, as well as in corporate training and professional development programs. They can be accessed via web browsers or mobile devices, making it convenient for students to learn anytime and anywhere.

What Purposes does an LMS serve?

An LMS can serve several purposes in a veterinary organization or an animal care center. Here are some examples:

Training and Continued Education

Veterinary professionals are committed to lifelong learning, continuously seeking to enhance their skills and broaden their knowledge base. Embracing a growth mindset fosters perseverance, steadfastness, and contentment – essential elements that promote the prosperity of your practice.

An LMS (Learning Management System) can be used to deliver training and educational programs to veterinary staff, technicians, and other animal care professionals. It can help to train the staff in essential skills such as tele-triage and telehealth applications. It can provide interactive courses, webinars, videos, quizzes, and simulations that can help improve the skills and knowledge of employees in the field. This helps ensure that they are up to date with the latest practices and technologies in their industry. Additionally, an LMS can provide valuable feedback on performance which allows staff to learn from mistakes as well as track progress over time.

Compliance Training

The use of a Learning Management System (LMS) for compliance training is an invaluable tool for organizations that need to ensure their employees are compliant with regulations and policies related to animal welfare. The LMS can provide interactive training modules, assessments, and quizzes that help ensure employees have a good understanding of the standards and can effectively implement them in their work. Additionally, the LMS can help track and manage certifications, licenses, and continuing education credits for veterinary professionals and make sure they are renewed on time. This helps organizations remain compliant with standards while also ensuring employees have the necessary qualifications to do their job.

Performance Management

Performance Management is vital for any organization to ensure that their employees are meeting the necessary standards and KPI expectations. The use of a Learning Management System (LMS) can be beneficial in this regard as it allows managers to track employee performance and identify areas for improvement. By providing reports on completion rates, test scores, and other metrics, the LMS can help veterinary hospital managers get an understanding of how their interns are performing. This data can then be used to give targeted feedback and coaching which helps improve performance over time. Additionally, an LMS can also be used to measure the effectiveness of training programs by tracking employee progress over time.

Efficiency

The use of a Learning Management System (LMS) can be highly beneficial for veterinary technicians, animal care professionals, and animal care facilities in terms of efficiency. An LMS can streamline the administrative tasks involved in managing training and education programs such as scheduling courses, tracking attendance and grading assessments. This can save time and resources for the organization allowing staff members to focus on providing quality care to animals.

In what ways can Advanced Technologies Improve an LMS?

In order for a Learning Management System (LMS) to be successful, it must be intelligent and modern. As technology advances, the LMS should keep up with the times in order to have high user adoption. To ensure that people are more likely to use a platform, it should employ modern solutions such as intuitive user interfaces, responsive design, and accessible content. Additionally, AI technologies such as natural language processing (NLP), machine learning (ML) and predictive analytics can be used to provide personalized experiences that users can interact with easily.

Machine Learning

Personalized Learning Paths

To find patterns and trends in learning behavior, machine learning algorithms may be trained on vast datasets of user activity and performance data. An algorithm, for example, may examine how quickly a user normally completes specific sorts of exercises, what topics they struggle with, and what types of learning materials they utilize the most frequently.

With this data, the algorithm can create a bespoke learning route for each user, one that is matched to their unique learning style and interests. This might include suggestions for specific tasks or evaluations, as well as supplementary learning materials that are relevant to the user’s interests. The ML algorithm may even offer new courses and learning materials that are likely to be of interest to the user by examining the user’s previous interactions with the platform, such as which courses they have taken and which modules they have finished.

Consistent User Experience

Usage patterns can even be used to improve the user experience and guarantee that the platform operates consistently. ML algorithms, for example, may be used to alter the sequence of course content depending on user engagement data, such as how frequently users engage with content and at what points in their learning journeys.

Natural Language Processing:

Intelligent Tutoring Systems

Students may attempt to subvert the algorithm by using the correct keywords and phrases. NLP can analyze the language used by students when interacting with course materials, such as text-based quizzes, assignments, or essays. In this way, the system can determine the level of understanding of the material and provide guidance accordingly. Aside from simply determining whether the answer is correct or incorrect, the NLP system may detect particular areas where the learner’s knowledge may be poor. On that basis, it can offer assistance or resources to help the student improve their understanding.

Advanced, Automated Grading

NLP-incorporated programs can even provide feedback on the quality of the writing, such as grammar, spelling, structure, and other technical aspects of the content. The quality of an argument could be gauged, identifying room for improvement in its flow or organization. Together with Computer Vision, which we shall look at later, NLP can evaluate written essays for faults, allowing teachers to assess essays more efficiently.

Predictive Analytics

Proactive Alert System

Incorporating predictive analytics into an LMS can allow for the creation of an early warning system that helps instructors identify at-risk students who may be struggling with coursework. The system can analyze data from past student performance and behaviors, such as attendance, participation, and engagement, to predict which students may be at risk of failing or dropping out. Students with a history of low attendance, missed assignments, or low quiz/test scores can be flagged as at-risk and the instructor notified.

The instructor has a unique opportunity to help the student stay on track and achieve success in the course. By proactively reaching out and offering additional support or resources, the instructor can help the student understand the material better and build confidence in their ability to succeed. This intervention can be the key to the student’s success, and it can be the difference between them continuing in the course or abandoning their studies.

Resource Allocation

Predictive Analytics can be used to great effect in a Learning Management System (LMS) to better allocate resources. By collecting data on the course materials and activities that students are using, the system can identify which are proving most beneficial to students and which may be superfluous. This data can help instructors to focus their efforts on the best materials, and allows institutions with limited budgets or resources to reduce spending on those that are not being used as much. This allows for an optimized allocation of resources and a better understanding of what course materials are most effective.

Computer Vision

Individualized Observation

Computer vision is a useful tool for Learning Management Systems (LMS). It can track users’ eye movements and facial expressions as they engage with the information. This data may be used to discern between challenging and engaging portions of the material, and then alter the content accordingly. For example, if a user is having difficulty understanding a certain idea, the LMS might give extra resources such as video lessons or interactive activities to assist them. Moreover, computer vision may be used to determine when viewers are bored or disengaged with a topic, and consequently modify the information.

Advanced, Automated Grading

Using Computer Vision for automated grading can be a powerful tool for instructors. These algorithms can analyze student responses to assignments and quizzes, including handwritten responses and multiple-choice answers. While grading multiple-choice questions, the Computer Vision algorithm can detect the student’s filled-in bubbles or checkboxes and compare them to the correct answers. This could even be used to evaluate a student’s performance on a video-based online assessment or assignments that requires uploading images. The system could even detect and recognize objects in videos and images with the help of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). This may be done quickly and precisely, providing immediate feedback and allowing instructors to focus on delivering tailored input for more open-ended assignments.

Content Analysis

Using computer vision algorithms, it is possible to analyze the visual content of images and videos and detect any inappropriate or potentially illegal material. By scanning through each frame of a video or image, these algorithms can identify elements such as nudity, violence, copyrighted material, and other items that may not be suitable for educational purposes. This helps ensure that the content uploaded to an LMS discourse server adheres to legal or policy requirements.

Advantages of an LMS

There are many benefits and advantages to both veterinary organizations and their vet teams when employing an LMS software. These include:

Flexibility

An LMS can allow veterinarians to learn at their own pace, enabling them to balance their professional and personal commitments. Given how hectic and unpredictable a veterinary work schedule can be, asynchronous learning can be a god-save. With 24/7 access to course materials and resources, animal caretakers can learn on-the-go, making the most of their time while traveling or waiting between appointments. Of course, given that Continued Educational credits are a licensure requirement, LMS can be particularly helpful in tracking veterinarians’ CEs and sending notifications to remind veterinary professionals when their CECs are due for renewal.

Keeping Knowledge Fresh and Whole

Animal Care is a constantly evolving field, with new research, findings, technology, and treatment methods being released every month.  A Learning Management System (LMS) offers veterinary professionals access to the latest videos, podcasts and webinars, as well as interactive simulations and online forums for discussion and collaboration. Through the use of an LMS, veterinary professionals can stay abreast of the latest developments in their field and engage in meaningful dialogue with their peers and experts in the industry. An LMS allows for a seamless and efficient delivery of educational materials, as well as platform for tracking progress and measuring the effectiveness of learning materials, enabling veterinary professionals to measure their progress and make improvements as needed.

Standardization

There is a serious need for Consistency in a veterinary hospital. There are professionals of different ages and from different backgrounds, with varied experiences, skills, and education. This can lead to a clash in thinking and preference and make for a hostile environment within a veterinary facility. Standardization helps to guarantee that all veterinary professionals within an organization have received the same training and have the same knowledge and abilities. This helps to maintain uniformity in the quality of veterinary care provided to patients, regardless of who provides the treatment. Having a centralized training platform will ensure that everyone has access to the same training materials, that cover all aspects of veterinary care, including clinical skills, patient care, and client communication. and that training is delivered reliably across the organization.

Tracking and Reporting

In a large veterinary hospital, an LMS could play a crucial role in tracking and reporting the learning performance of veterinarians. With a comprehensive LMS, veterinary hospitals can provide personalized learning paths for each veterinarian, track their progress, and identify areas where they need improvement. The LMS can provide real-time reports that showcase the learning outcomes and help veterinary hospitals track and measure the effectiveness of their training programs. Furthermore, a well-designed LMS can provide automated notifications, reminders, and alerts to ensure that veterinarians complete their training on time. This saves time and resources that can be better allocated to other critical hospital operations. In addition, a robust LMS can also provide veterinary hospitals with analytics and insights that can help them make informed decisions about future training programs. Overall, an LMS can greatly enhance the effectiveness of veterinary training programs, improve learning outcomes, and ultimately lead to better patient care.

Economical

At a big veterinary hospital, using a Learning Management System (LMS) might be a cost-effective choice for measuring and improving learning performance. By eliminating the need for in-person training and manual tracking of employee progress, an initial investment in an LMS can result in considerable cost savings over time. The LMS enables on-demand access to training materials that may be accessed at the employee’s leisure, decreasing the need for scheduling and coordination. Furthermore, the LMS tracks and reports on employee development in real time, enabling for the rapid discovery and repair of performance gaps. Veterinary clinics may enhance productivity, save costs, and improve overall quality of care by employing technology to automate the learning process.

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Key Features to Look for

Interactive and Collaborative Courses

These are the kinds of courses that encourage the participants to solve problems conjointly. An example of this is multiplayer online games such as Among Us, where the group has to decide which of their peers is an imposter by asking questions and searching for evidence. This can easily be applied to veterinary courses, as veterinarians often have to ask questions of owners to ascertain relevant behavioral signals and make decisions based on scans, tests, external examinations, etc. This allows veterinarians to exercise their skills and knowledge in an intuitive and engaging learning environment. It enhances coordination between veterinary team members and stimulates open discourse on topics of interest. Additionally, interactive courses are designed to motivate students by using multimedia elements such as videos, quizzes, polls, and other activities that help keep them vigorous.

Having interactive and collaborative courses in an LMS can be highly beneficial to a veterinary hospital for several reasons. First, interactive and collaborative courses engage learners more effectively than traditional, passive courses, leading to better knowledge retention and improved learning outcomes. Second, collaborative courses encourage knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning, which can lead to a more supportive and collaborative culture in the hospital.

Omniscience and Fluidity

Omniscience refers to the ability to access and retrieve any information from the LMS database, regardless of the time or location. Fluidity, on the other hand, refers to the flexibility and adaptability of the LMS to integrate with various technologies and devices, such as mobile devices and wearables.

In a veterinary hospital, having an LMS with omniscience and fluidity can provide access to real-time data, analytics, and insights that can inform decision-making processes. The LMS can enable the hospital staff to monitor the progress and performance of each veterinarian and identify knowledge gaps that need to be addressed. Furthermore, the ability to access the LMS from mobile devices can allow veterinarians to learn and collaborate with their peers from anywhere and at any time, increasing efficiency and productivity. Generally, having an LMS with omniscience and fluidity can help a veterinary hospital stay competitive and adapt to the changing landscape of veterinary medicine.

Customization:

Customizing a veterinary Learning Management System (LMS) is hugely beneficial for hospital staff. It can result in better training, improved employee engagement and increased retention rates. With a customizable LMS, hospitals have the ability to create training modules and courses that cater specifically to the type of veterinary medicine practiced at the hospital. They can also address relevant medical conditions, new treatments, fresh equipment, or the introduction of new systems and technology. When creating an LMS, goals and policies may also be incorporated into lessons, to have an overarching benefit across the organization or practice. This allows hospitals to create a training program that reflects their brand and culture. Therefore, this feature could enable the hospital to develop its own diverse, transparent, and lasting culture that could help foster a positive learning environment and maintain employee engagement.

Customization also allows hospitals to create a more organized approach to training. It enables them to track employee progress and generate reports that can be used to measure the effectiveness of the program. This can help the hospital identify areas of strength and weakness, while also helping to identify areas that need improvement.

Finally, a customizable LMS can help to increase employee engagement. This is because it enables the hospital to create a more interactive learning environment, with interactive quizzes, simulations, and games. This helps to keep employees motivated and engaged, while also providing a more enjoyable and rewarding learning experience.

Tracking and Reporting

When searching for a learning management system for your veterinary clinic, don’t forget to look for this feature. The LMS needs to benefit the veterinarians, the clinic, and its manager/owner. The manager can benefit greatly from being able to monitor the progress, learning speed, scores, and completed assignments. And that’s what an LMS does – it tracks and reports performance in quizzes and projects. It gives the veterinary overseer a peak into the capabilities and interests of the veterinary staff around them. It can help them determine where each team member needs extra support or training, where their strengths and weaknesses lie, and what improvements are needed to meet evolving staff needs.

Performance monitoring and analysis can even provide hospitals with detailed reports that show compliance with industry standards and regulations, ensuring they meet all necessary accreditation requirements. By generating these reports, veterinary hospitals can demonstrate their adherence to the required standards and avoid any penalties for non-compliance.

Contact us at sales@celeritasdigital.com to learn more about getting a Learning Management System for your veterinary practice.

Wearable devices have become a part of almost every home and health plan today. The go-to solution for most healthcare providers is a Fitbit-style application with a Smart Health Watch. This has made gathering and analyzing health data rather easy. They enhance our general wellbeing by measuring activity and sleep habits. But these capabilities and benefits are not confined to human health. It is also used to track the health and behaviour of animals. This article will explore the way wearable technology is impacting animal health.

What is Wearable Technology?

Wearable technology refers to devices that are worn on the body and can collect and transmit data. These devices can range from fitness trackers and smartwatches to sensors and cameras that can be attached to animals. Wearable devices have been around for some time, but recent advancements in technology have made them more accessible and affordable. 

The Benefits of Wearable Technology for Animal Health Monitoring

In our article on Precision Livestock Farming, we discussed the immense importance of maintaining regular records and making quick improvements to resolve minor issues before they snowball. Monitoring makes up a major aspect of that discussion. 

One of the key benefits of using wearable technology to monitor animal health is that it allows for non-invasive monitoring. In the past, checking the animal for illnesses would involve capturing and handling the animal, which can be stressful for the animal and time-consuming for the veterinarian or researcher. By using wearable sensors, it is possible to monitor animals without causing any disturbance to their natural behaviors, which is especially crucial when studying wildlife. Interfering with their natural behavior can affect the accuracy of the collected data and potentially impact their survival.

Wearable devices also help to improve the accuracy of animal health monitoring. Traditional methods of monitoring animal health relied on subjective observations and physical examinations. With wearable technology, data can be collected and analyzed in real-time, providing more accurate and detailed information on an animal’s health and behaviors. For example, sensors can be used to monitor an animal’s heart rate, body temperature, and activity levels. This data can then be analyzed to identify any abnormalities or changes in the animal’s health.

Another benefit of utilizing bio-sensors to monitor animal health is that it allows for continuous monitoring. Traditional monitoring methods would involve periodic check-ups, which may not capture changes in an animal’s health that occur between check-ups. Wearable technology allows for continuous monitoring, which can provide a more comprehensive picture of an animal’s health and behaviours over time. This is particularly useful when monitoring chronic conditions or diseases.

Wearable Technology for Livestock Monitoring

Livestock monitoring is a crucial aspect of animal husbandry. Farmers need to keep track of the health and welfare of their animals to ensure they are productive and healthy. Farmers can now use wearable devices to collect real-time data about their animals’ behavior, health, and productivity. This information can be used to identify health issues early and take corrective action before it’s too late.

Wearable technology for livestock monitoring includes sensors, trackers, and smart devices that are attached to the animals. These devices can track various parameters such as body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, activity levels, and location. The data is then transmitted to a cloud-based platform, where it is analysed and presented to the farmer in an easy-to-understand format.

One of the most significant applications of wearable technology in livestock monitoring is in the dairy industry. Dairy farmers use wearable technology to monitor the health and productivity of their cows. The real-time data collected is analysed to foresee potential diseases and physical conditions, such as respiratory problems or infections. This allows farmers and herders to be proactive. They can nip the issue in the bud by quarantining the animal to prevent the spread of diseases, or taking measures to improve the overall health.

The technology used in dairy cow monitoring includes activity sensors, milk yield sensors, and rumination sensors. Activity sensors track the cow’s movements and provide data on their activity levels, which can be an indicator of their overall health. Milk yield sensors measure the amount of milk produced by the cow, which can provide insights into their health and productivity. Rumination sensors track how long the cow spends chewing their cud, which is an important indicator of their digestive health.

Wearable technology is helpful for Veterinarians

Wearable technology is not just beneficial for farmers, but it can also be incredibly helpful for veterinarians. Veterinarians can use wearable technology to monitor the health and behavior of their animal patients and make more informed diagnoses and treatment plans. Here are some of the ways wearable technology can be helpful for veterinarians:

Remote monitoring

Tags on the animals’ ears can be attached or chips can be implanted to detect harmful substances, such as toxins or pollutants, in food or water that animals consume. This gives veterinarians access to their patients’ vital signs, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature – all in one place. This information can provide valuable insights into animal health, well-being, and the environment in which they live. Remote monitoring can also save time and money by reducing the need for in-person check-ups.

Behavior tracking

For animal caretakers, the way an animal moves (lethargic or energetic) reveals much about its health. Sick animals show reduced play, grooming, and sexual behavior, a weakening of appetite. Biosensors can track an animal’s activity levels, expulsion of waste, and eating regularity. This can help detect potential health problems in animals. An alert can then be sent out to the pet parent and the local veterinarian.

Post-operative care

For example, a post-operative patient could wear a device that tracks their heart rate and respiration, which can provide important information about their recovery. Veterinarians can use this data to make adjustments to the animal’s medication or care plan as needed.

Client education

Keeping animal owners informed of their pet’s wellness metrics is important. If the owner cannot grasp a condition that is not externally manifesting, they may not consent to treatment procedures or tests. For example, if a dog is wearing a device that tracks their activity levels, the veterinarian can use this data to show the owner how much exercise their pet is getting and whether they need to increase their activity level.

Conclusion

In conclusion, wearable technology is proving to be an invaluable tool in animal health, farming, and veterinary medicine. For farmers, wearable technology allows for the early detection of health issues, ensuring that their livestock stays healthy and productive. For veterinarians, wearable technology enables them to remotely monitor animal patients and make more informed diagnoses and treatment plans. It also offers a wealth of data on animal behavior, which can be used to promote animal welfare and educate pet owners.

As wearable technology continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see even more innovative uses in the animal health industry. For example, wearable technology could be used to monitor the effects of climate change on animal populations, or to track the spread of diseases that affect both animals and humans.

Despite the many benefits of wearable technology, it is important to remember that it should never replace the expertise and care of experienced animal health professionals. Wearable technology is a valuable tool, but it should be used in conjunction with traditional methods of animal care.

Overall, wearable technology has already had a significant impact on animal health, farming, and veterinary medicine. As such, it is likely to become an increasingly important part of animal health in the years to come.

Exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) has oft been compared to the opening of Pandora’s Box. This famous Greek Mythological symbol of curiosity, for those who are unfamiliar, comes from the woman who opened a forbidden box and unleashed all the horrors of the earth upon humanity. “Pandora’s Box” now represents anything that is best left untouched, for fear of what might come out of it.

However, artificial intelligence should be seen as less of a box of horrors and more of a door to possibilities. In the past few months, the myriad uses of AI have rocked the internet. From internet influencers expounding on its merits to get follows and likes to content creators like myself using it to enhance their productions.

But artificial intelligence is not just a cute tool to get work done faster. Pandora let out death; artificial intelligence could help extend life. Pandora released disease; artificial intelligence could help diminish or even eradicate it. Pandora’s box contained poverty; artificial intelligence can release many from it.

In this article we will discuss the use cases and potential of artificial intelligence in the animal health sphere.

AI in Food & Agriculture

AI is being used for agricultural purposes. The world’s population is set to reach around 10 billion by 2050. With the amount of land remaining constant, an increased supply of food is dependent on changes in farming and animal rearing techniques and the fertility and yield of the land and cattle.

Identifying Animal Signatures

Contactless biometric AI (Artificial Intelligence) recognition tools, such as the one offered by F4T Lab, can create a ID by scanning the animal’s face. This eliminates the need for invasive and cumbersome hardware. It also removes the possibility of disputes after recovery from theft.

Data Gathering

Agricultural models can both gather large amounts of granular data, from genealogy, medical treatments, vaccines, and productivity. Evaluating farming methods, AI can offer smart solutions for better outcomes, minimized losses, and reduced workloads ^[[1]].

AI technology is being leveraged to regulate the usage of water, and systems that help track individual performance of every animal, from first parity until culling phase.

Herd Monitoring and Healthcare

AI-integrated UAVs can use optics and radiometric sensors to monitor and analyze special and temporal data on cattle location, movement, and interaction ^[[2]][[3]] that can perform tasks such as:

• Checking their current physical condition
• Determining which animals are high-performing
• Measuring stress levels and how they can affect production and fertility
• Getting better financial and insurance options because of more accurate and reliable animal tracking.
• Faster data sampling: Precision Hawk’s agricultural drones can “gather data on 500 to 1,000 acres in less than a day.”

In many cases, particular animal movements can suggest diseases, medical conditions, and weakness. If the values collected exceed the regular parameters, the Artificial Intelligence can be trained via deep learning to recognize this as ill health or injury. It can then alert animal caretakers to injuries, excessive weight, or the need for special attention.

Optimizing Breeding Strategies

Machine learning is having a huge impact on the optimization of animal genetic selection strategies. Various ML models exist that can aid in the prompt and efficient genetic selection of animals based on the forecasting of breeding values ^[[4]]­. Based on the geographical parameters, the system can provide farmers with recommendations for suitable and profitable breeds.

Mitigating Extreme Climatic Disruptions

The constantly shifting climate conditions have obfuscated the decision-making process for farmers and animal rearers. AI models can process a variety of factors and forecasted conditions to perform efficient water and environmental regulation. AI has been proven capable of sensing and reacting to the changes in heat by reducing ambient temperatures, aiding in heat loss e.g., shading and sheltering, and dietary alterations to reduce heat stress effects ^[[5]]. This function has proved accurate, with low statistical errors, ensuring high performance despite meteorological inconsistencies ^[[6]].

AI for Behavioral Sciences

Behavioral science is the study of influencing or maneuvering a creature’s behavioral patterns toward activities they might not inherently perform. Behavioral interventions are often used to modify negative behaviors.

Information Processing

AI can be useful in the compilation and synthesis of report findings in behavioral change intervention. While irregular and esoteric language is often used in these reports, machine learning coupled with advanced matching technology can interpret the information. This kind of AI would be immensely useful in predicting potential outcomes of behavioral interventions. AI can also perform personal profiling, which can be used to identify more volatile and aggressive herd members, forecast their misadventures, and prevent them from engaging in them.

Compliance

In a sea of treatments that must often be shoved down patients’ throats, nudgeomics is considered by some to be the best option. Nudge Theory uses the shifts in the environment, known as choice architecture, to direct or “nudge” the subjects towards certain actions. Combined with artificial intelligence, apps like DnaNudge can recommend genetically personalized nutritional products to raise patient compliance levels and reduce troubling behaviors. Furthermore, AI can determine based on past records and reports which behavioral technique (habituation, desensitization, counterconditioning, response substitution, overlearning, etc.) should be employed.

AI Diagnostic Capabilities

Recently, Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) have intensely propagated the pattern-recognition abilities of our AI technology. DNNs are data processing systems that mimic the brain’s learning style to assign labels to different sets of data. Simply put, if a machine is fed enough data on one particular condition, it can recognize it in any given scenario. This translates to artificial intelligence being highly capable of recognizing diseases from fresh scan images based on past learning.

Alzheimer’s

Cognitive decline and neuropathology are aspects of Alzheimer’s that dogs are able to develop. Typically, blood tests, X-rays, thyroid testing, and ultrasounds are used to confirm the disease. Recently, however, An AI-integrated histopathologic tool has been developed which opens a new paradigm for the study and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s brain disease ^[[7]]. By assessing the arrangements and features of the medial temporal lobe and the frontal cortex on slide images of brain autopsies, the algorithm was able to measure brain impairment to a substantial degree. The artificial intelligence-based biotech company, BERG, has developed applications to produce detailed disease maps that can help in the identification of disease biomarkers. Drugs can then be developed to target their sources.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that effects mammals such as goats, pigs, cats, and dogs, among others. Combined with nanotechnology, highly sensitive AI can enhance the diagnostic process of tuberculosis. By identifying the morphological changes caused by certain histological reactions, TB-AI can automatically detect acid-fast stained TB bacilli ^[[8]]. The nanotechnological component of the test can discern the minuscule molecules of the bacterial structure. When the immune cells envelop the bacteria, they shed what is essentially cell waste covered in Lymphangioleiomyomatosis, more succinctly known as LAM, and the protein LprG. The nanoparticles isolate these two molecules, confirming the presence of the TB bacteria.

Cardiological Conditions

The echocardiograph is a primary method of measuring the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS). These are the two most crucial indicators of cardiac systolic function. The AI algorithm, through data mining and interpretation, was able to analyze high-dimensional and complex data to identify hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with a sensitivity of 0.96 and specificity of 0.77 (Narula S. et al.). Another artificially intelligent program for associative memory classification was developed in a study by Sengupta P.P. et al. Here, the algorithm effectively distinguished constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy (AUC 0.96).

An AI-enhanced echocardiogram was also able to detect heart failure more accurately than a blood test (NT-ProBNP) ^[[9]]. It would check for decreased heart function in patients with shortness of breath. A regular ECG can establish that there is a cardiovascular abnormality but this does not necessarily indicate heart failure. An ECG also tests for unusual BNP hormone levels in your blood but these can be symptomatic of a myriad of issues ranging from obesity to severe pulmonary hypertension. By training AI programs to recognize the ECG patterns of patients with LVSD, the researchers were able to receive highly accurate ECG analysis within about 10 seconds. Furthermore, deep learning algorithms can use coronary angiogram results to perform CAD tests that detect heart disease.

COVID-19

AI is currently being trained in University of Florida-supported research ^[][10] to detect fresh variants of COVID-19. This is intended to help tackle the onerous challenge of tracking the constantly mutating virus and to mitigate the most serious consequences. According to Marco Salemi, Ph.D., a professor of experimental pathology at the UF College of Medicine, “The coronavirus is a moving target and we have always been one step behind. Every time the epidemic seems to be coming under control, another variant emerges that is more virulent.” But with global sources of public data on the genetic sequences of coronavirus, preventative measures can be set in place to actively hinder its transmission.

Post-chemo Treatment

An AI-based system used in a study by the University of Michigan Health lab ^[[11]] can also determine the kind of treatment human bladder cancer patients will require post-chemotherapy. It is often very taxing to decipher the difference between cancer cells and scarred tissue. AI was able to significantly improve the evaluations of the trained practitioners, as well as provide a learning experience for the medical and veterinary students who participated in the study.

One interesting takeaway from the above study was that the AI tools could act as a second opinion, to aid a radiologist but not replace them. AI errors are distinct from human errors, so the two resources would need to be paired to cancel out each other’s shortcomings.

The use of AI in diagnosis procedures has been explored for the last two decades and at this stage, the uses are extensive. As more research and development occurs, the likelihood is that every day medical equipment and instruments will have built-in AI functions. Yet the question stands as to whether specialists will use these capabilities or discard them due to incompatibility with their systems or incomplete functions.

AI In Drug Development

There exists an abundance of significant clinical trial data in the databases of large pharmaceutical companies, yet much of it is in the form of unstructured, unsearchable data. NLP is an effective solution to this predicament. NLP (Natural Language Processing) is an Artificial Intelligence-based program that scans and converts images and unstructured texts into detailed and high-value, information-rich text. This enhances the precision of search results which can then be analyzed by the AI tech platform to glean insights and discover hidden implications.

BioXcel Therapeutics uses artificial intelligence technology to identify potential patients or new applications for existing drugs in the immuno-oncology and neuroscience fields. Deep Genomics is another biotech firm that has developed an AI platform to connect pharmaceutical researchers with the right test subjects and participants to maximize the likelihood of valid and reliable clinical endpoints. AI may also be involved in the trial design, recognizing risks and opportunities, forecasting trial duration, and analyzing the sequence of actions using associative or observational learning.

Hence, AI significantly aids in the designing and managing of clinical trials and data extraction. In doing so, the overall cost of preparing for, conducting, and evaluating the trial is neatly minimized and the drug release and distribution period is shortened.

AI Enhanced Communication Tools

Artificial intelligence can not only make calculations that exceed human capacity but also help people navigate through their devices with ease. This has been discovered with the use of Alexa, Siri, Cortana, and other AI personal assistants. Navigating medical devices and applications can also prove taxing. But having an AI guide and task-executer to help both veterinary students and clients adapt to new equipment and technological changes.

Implementing conversational AI into hospital services can enhance the client experience as well as customer relationship management. Buoy Health is an AI-powered chatbot that a client can explain health concern and symptoms to. The program can pinpoint key information and decipher whether the need is manageable or urgent. Based on its conclusion and their financial preference, it can then direct them to the appropriate medical center and treatment. AI chatbots have the potential to be used in complex medical consultations. When pet owners perceive chatbots as more accurate and easier to use, it increases their user satisfaction and behavioral intention to use the agents in veterinary consultations ^[[12]].

Botnation is a no-code solution to eliminating bias in veterinarians by simulating a pre-check-up interview session. The bot has been evaluated as having an “intuitive interface”, alongside flexible integration and conversation tracking. AI can augment health and self-management apps, providing predictive features and daily tracking of tests and readings, or facilitating engaging activities to assist with mental wellness. Sensely is a virtual assistant avatar that will visit its patient regularly, monitor their health, and ask their owners to examine their vital signs.

In agriculture, farmers and herders have used chatbots. These Artificial Intelligence powered algorithms assist them with unanswered questions ^[[13]], advising them on financially feasible products and equipment options, updating them on the latest erosion control strategies, and providing various other recommendations.

LIMITATIONS

While there are ostensibly no limitations for AI in the Life Sciences sectors, there are limitations to its adoption level. Many parties may reject or neglect the implementation or utilization of AI technology due to multiple reasons.

Animal owners might have inhibitions relegating the care of a valued family member to an artificial entity. Cattle rearers may be skeptical about providing AI software with access to their entire digital data archives. A 2019 study by Harvard Business Review showed that human patients were reluctant to use artificial intelligence software to receive healthcare. This is partially because people generally underestimate the accuracy and precision of AI-based diagnostic tools. They assume that AI would be ill-equipped to address their pet’s specific symptoms.

Meanwhile, as aforementioned, these have undergone much advancement to the point that the systems outperform specialists in their respective fields. Yet there is insufficient awareness of their scope coupled with skepticism emerging from misunderstandings surrounding the functionality of artificially intelligent algorithms. Patients may use them in conjunction with medical experts’ confirmations and supervision. Hence, it will take a while before the consumers of health services embrace this technology as a reliable and un-dismissible force in Life Sciences.

References

^[1] D.G. Panpatte, Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture: An Emerging Era of Research, Intuitional Science, CANADA (2018), pp. 1-8

[2] Alanezi, M.A.; Mohammad, A.; Sha’aban, Y.A.; Bouchekara, H.R.E.H.; Shahriar, M.S. Auto-Encoder Learning-Based UAV Communications for Livestock Management. Drones 2022, 6, 276. https://doi.org/10.3390/ drones6100276

[3] Rivas, A.; Chamoso, P.; González-Briones, A.; Corchado, J.M. Detection of cattle using drones and convolutional neural networks. Sensors 2018, 18, 2048.

[4] Hamadani, A., Ganai, N.A., Mudasir, S. et al. Comparison of artificial intelligence algorithms and their ranking for the prediction of genetic merit in sheep. Sci Rep 12, 18726 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-23499-w

[5] Fuentes, S.; Gonzalez Viejo, C.; Cullen, B.; Tongson, E.; Chauhan, S.S.; Dunshea, F.R. Artificial Intelligence Applied to a Robotic Dairy Farm to Model Milk Productivity and Quality based on Cow Data and Daily Environmental Parameters. Sensors 2020, 20, 2975. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20102975

^[6] Ahmed Elbeltagi, Nand Lal Kushwaha, Ankur Srivastava, Amira Talaat Zoof,

Chapter 5 – Artificial intelligent-based water and soil management, Deep Learning for Sustainable Agriculture, Pages 129-142,

^[7] https://healthitanalytics.com/news/researchers-leverage-ai-to-detect-causes-of-alzheimers-disease

[8] XIONG, Y., BA, X., HOU, A., ZHANG, K., CHEN, L., LI, T.. Automatic detection of mycobacterium tuberculosis using artificial intelligence. Journal of Thoracic Disease, North America, 10, mar. 2018. Available at: <https://jtd.amegroups.com/article/view/19696>

^[9] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1161/CIRCEP.120.008437

^[10] https://healthitanalytics.com/news/florida-researchers-to-use-ai-to-track-coronavirus-variants

^[11] “Computerized Decision Support for Bladder Cancer Treatment Response Assessment in CT Urography: Effect on Diagnostic Accuracy in Multi-Institution Multi-Specialty Study,” Tomography. DOI: 10.3390/tomography8020054

[12] Duen-Huang Huang, Hao-En Chueh, Chatbot usage intention analysis: Veterinary consultation, Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, Volume 6, Issue 3, 2021, Pages 135-144, ISSN 2444-569X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2020.09.002.

^[13] Tanha Talaviya, Dhara Shah, Nivedita Patel, Hiteshri Yagnik, Manan Shah, Implementation of artificial intelligence in agriculture for optimisation of irrigation and application of pesticides and herbicides, Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture, Volume 4, 2020, Pages 58-73, ISSN 2589-7217,