How AI is sniffing out pet illness before it starts

Abstract: Pet owners in the U.S. will be happy to know that even veterinaries are buying into what is possible and according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), AI tools are already helping detect illnesses earlier and empowering veterinary teams to improve the care experience for pets and their owners. AVMA is “building awareness around emerging technologies, while ensuring they are not replacements for a veterinarian’s expertise.

There is no stopping the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution and as proof you need to look no further than National University’s 131 AI Statistics and Trends for 2025. A recent blog outlining the findings states that the technology “has emerged as a cornerstone of innovation, reshaping industries, and altering the fabric of our daily lives.”

The survey revealed that upwards of 50 per cent of organizations plan to incorporate AI technologies, 35 per cent of all companies world “report using AI in their business “ and 77 per cent of companies are either using or exploring its use.

Pet owners in the U.S. will be happy to know that even veterinaries are buying into what is possible and according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), AI tools are already helping detect illnesses earlier and empowering veterinary teams to improve the care experience for pets and their owners.

A recent release from the AVMA states that the organization is “building awareness around emerging technologies, while ensuring they are not replacements for a veterinarian’s expertise, compassion, and judgment. Veterinary professionals remain at the center of curating and interpreting data that is clinically relevant and ethically sourced.”

AVMA President Dr. Michael Bailey, says that “AI-powered radiography tools are improving diagnostic speed and accuracy, allowing for quicker and more effective treatment of animals. Other tools are helping forecast chronic diseases such as arthritis and diabetes before symptoms appear, giving us more time to prepare to treat and prevent conditions.”

According to the release, breakthroughs include:

• Personalized cancer treatments being developed for dogs with lymphoma using AI models that match individual animals to the most effective medications.
• Another tech tool can forecast chronic diseases like feline kidney disease before symptoms appear, and others can help analyze diagnostic images to detect tumors, fractures, and other conditions with accuracy.

In addition, “new technologies also are helping veterinary technicians and assistants work more efficiently by reducing workloads through automated administrative record keeping and streamlined training — helping them grow as professionals.

“AI tools also can help practices by analyzing feedback and reviews to detect shifts in client sentiment — helping teams respond more quickly to deliver a higher standard of care.”

The AVMA in the release adds that “while technology can help improve diagnoses and outcomes, including reducing stress on veterinary teams, the AVMA knows that the use of AI requires trust, transparency, and strong veterinary leadership and oversight. The AVMA is building awareness around emerging technologies, while ensuring they are not replacements for a veterinarian’s expertise, compassion, and judgment. Veterinary professionals remain at the center of curating and interpreting data that is clinically relevant and ethically sourced.”

The organization adds that the most meaningful aspect of veterinary medicine is personalized treatment and care for both pets and their owners.

“Perhaps the most powerful way advanced technologies empower veterinarians is to give us more time to do so,” says Bailey. “But, as with any new technology, always keep a human in the loop to maintain the best pet health care.”