Role of Artificial Intelligence in Veterinary Medicine
ABSTRACT
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has ushered in a new era of innovation and transformation in various fields, and veterinary medicine is no exception. The integration of AI technologies into veterinary practices has the potential to revolutionize the way veterinarians diagnose, treat, and manage animal health. This article explores the multifaceted role of AI in veterinary medicine, emphasizing its applications, benefits, challenges, and the ethical considerations that come with this technological advancement.
In 21st century, world is experiencing the fourth industrial revolution which is the result of the growth in highly complex and intelligent technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Robotics. India has actively demonstrated its willingness to emerge as a leader in the fourth industrial revolution. For this purpose, every sector of economy needs to be aligned with the technology of the day. In our veterinary field, it has immense importance which helps physicians in recording their case histories and reference cases. Medical kiosks have helped in frequent consultation. Moreover, improvement in accuracy and speed in lab diagnosis have contributed to early diagnosis and treatment of the patients. As the major population of the country is dependent on the agriculture which is the domain of rural areas, AI has contributed in telemedicine where farmer can have access to the doctor while being in remote areas. It is the demand of the day that we as the contributors to the veterinary field, learn and use the technology for the welfare of people and the growth of the nation.
INTRODUCTION
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the development of machine technology where it can simulate the intelligence of humans. They are programmed to an extent where they can think like humans and imitate their actions. We might think that it is a newly emerging technology in the 21st century. Yes, it is, but, it has been in development since the year 1956 when an eminent scientist John McCarthy coined the term in his first academic conference of the subject. The term rightly depicts the technology as machines are becoming intelligent day by day. Further, it has made its presence felt in various fields of technology like the computer sciences, education, marketing, medicine, manufacturing, and more. We can not deny the fact that in the upcoming decades, AI would penetrate into every sector. And, veterinary medicine is no exception. Interestingly, it has transformed the field of human medicine by accurately diagnosing the diseases and helping doctors to act early. It has also helped scientists and researchers to develop medicines in a shorter period of time by reducing the time for trials. Let us look at the various dimension where this technology can help the veterinary doctors and researchers to perform efficiently.
AI can help veterinarians code their notes
When the patient visits the veterinary physician, they make their notes on the paper sheets. There is no widespread infrastructure to appropriately put down the electronic records of visits. Moreover, the hand made notes are only helpful for the specific visit but have their limitations in sharing and for further references in the future. This has been adopted in human medicine and has led to easiness in referring to specific cases by the doctor and can also be shared with researchers for studying the various aspects of the disease. With the lack of infrastructure at the clinics, millions of precious health records are wasted over time. Simply put, organized electronic records with the help of AI can also have desirable effects on human public health as we have seen in the times of COVID-19. Therefore, proper records of veterinary cases can positively affect the “One Health” of the world.
Medical imaging processing and assessment
It refers to the rapid, yet sensitive and accurate interpretation of radiographs, MRI, CT scans, and ultrasound images right the way through to cytology assessment. As computer processing power, affordability, and speed go on increasing exponentially, we won’t have to wait longer when the standard clinical experimentation carried out in practice in laboratories, would be delegated to the AI. For instance, examining a urine sample for the presence of potential crystals and urinary infection with the increase in machine vision reference directories. It would supply an accurate and rapid date after examination of the sample ensuring consistency, which might be lacking now due to variability in the experience and skill levels of the veterinarians.
First line primary consultation
Smart Kiosks have been developed in human medicine that not only cut down the long lines, which is a source of frustration of patients and stress for the physicians. These kiosks collect the patient’s history and symptoms by guiding the patients through AI-assisted video themselves to fill the information. Afterwards, the information and symptoms are forwarded to the physician, who through a video call counsels the patient and changes the treatment according to the symptoms. The AI-assisted system helps keep the accurate record of patient’s history for further consultations and doctor’s references. This model should be adopted in the veterinary field also for keeping proper records of zoonotic and other diseases.
Telemedicine and hidden Diseases
AI can be of much help in the development of telemedicine where a physician can consult an expert present somewhere else and give proper treatment to the patient.
This field is essential to make the veterinary accessible, affordable, and available to all even in the remotest of areas. Some diseases like Addison’s disease or leptospirosis are a cause of concern for doctors as their symptoms coincide with others and cannot be diagnosed properly. AIdriven software, which has been fed with the history and symptoms of thousands of patients, can help in formulating an algorithm to detect these diseases at early stages and make their prognosis favourable.
- AI in Veterinary Imaging
- Diagnostic Imaging
- AI plays a pivotal role in enhancing diagnostic capabilities through the interpretation of medical images such as X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasound scans.
- Automated image analysis can identify anomalies, tumors, fractures, and other abnormalities, providing veterinarians with precise insights.
- Dermatology and Skin Conditions
- AI-driven algorithms can diagnose skin conditions in animals, helping with the early detection of diseases like dermatitis, fungal infections, and allergies.
- Ophthalmology
- AI can assist in identifying eye conditions and diseases in animals, including cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal disorders.
- AI in Disease Detection and Prediction
- Disease Monitoring
- AI-driven monitoring systems collect data from wearable devices and sensors to continuously track an animal’s health, alerting veterinarians to any sudden changes.
- Early Disease Detection
- AI algorithms analyze a pet’s history and medical records to predict potential health issues. This enables veterinarians to intervene proactively.
III. AI in Treatment Planning
- Personalized Treatment Plans
- AI tailors treatment options based on an animal’s specific condition, age, breed, and medical history.
- It can recommend medications, dosages, and even surgical procedures.
- Drug Discovery
- AI expedites the drug discovery process, aiding in the development of new medications for animal health.
- Predictive modeling identifies potential drug candidates, speeding up research.
- AI in Telemedicine and Remote Monitoring
- Telehealth Services
- AI-powered telemedicine platforms enable remote consultations, making veterinary expertise more accessible, especially in remote areas.
- Remote Monitoring
- Wearable devices and IoT sensors allow pet owners to monitor their animals’ health and send real-time data to veterinarians.
- AI analyzes this data for anomalies and trends.
- AI in Veterinary Education and Training
- Virtual Simulations
- AI-driven virtual simulations provide veterinary students with realistic training scenarios.
- This technology allows for hands-on practice without live animals, fostering better learning outcomes.
- Continuing Education
- AI-driven educational tools offer continuous learning opportunities for practicing veterinarians, keeping them updated with the latest advancements in the field.
- Ethical Considerations and Challenges
- Data Privacy
- AI relies on extensive data, raising concerns about data privacy and the potential misuse of personal information.
- Diagnostic Accuracy
- While AI can enhance diagnostic capabilities, its accuracy may not be perfect, leading to concerns about misdiagnoses and subsequent treatment.
- Job Displacement
- There are concerns about the impact of AI on veterinary employment, although most experts believe AI will complement rather than replace veterinarians.
VII. The Human-Veterinarian-AI Triad
- Complementary Roles
- AI is not a substitute for veterinarians but rather an essential tool that enhances their abilities.
- The synergy between AI and human expertise offers the best outcomes for animal health.
- Collaborative Decision-Making
- The future of veterinary medicine will involve collaborative decision-making, where veterinarians, pet owners, and AI work together to optimize treatment plans.
VIII. The Future of AI in Veterinary Medicine
- Advancements in AI
- As AI technology continues to evolve, its applications in veterinary medicine will become more sophisticated, accurate, and diverse.
- Global Accessibility
- AI-driven telemedicine will become more accessible globally, benefiting animals in remote and underserved areas.
Conclusion
The integration of AI in veterinary medicine represents a transformative force that enhances diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and the overall well-being of animals. While challenges and ethical considerations persist, AI’s role in this field is destined to grow. The future of veterinary medicine will be characterized by collaboration between veterinarians, pet owners, and AI, ensuring the best possible care for our animal companions. As technology advances, the bond between humans and their pets will be strengthened through cutting-edge healthcare and diagnostic capabilities.
To conclude, some people fear that AI automation would lead to the loss of jobs for doctors and the other veterinary staff. But, the truth is that the empowerment of the veterinary medicine field with the help of AI will lead to accurate and proper diagnosis and enhance the abilities of the doctors. On the contrary, the only issues are that the doctors will need to upgrade them and learn new technologies. AI is of very much help in keeping farm management records related to milking, estrous, and breeding of the animals. This will help in the reduction of costs and efforts would enhance the incomes of the farms. AI is the ultimate need of the time and physicians and staff should be trained to use the technology efficiently.
Compiled & Shared by- This paper is a compilation of groupwork provided by the
Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
