Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword—it’s rapidly becoming a valuable tool in the veterinary profession. From radiographic interpretation to streamlining client communication, AI has the potential to support busy veterinary teams, improve diagnostic accuracy, and enhance patient care.

But while the promises are big, so are the limitations. This blog explores where AI is currently making an impact in veterinary medicine—and where it still falls short.

What AI Can Do Right Now

1. Diagnostic Support

AI algorithms, particularly deep learning models, are showing strong promise in interpreting radiographs, CT scans, and histopathology slides. Tools like Vetology AI and SignalPET can rapidly analyse images, flag abnormalities, and offer second-opinion level support—especially valuable in busy or understaffed practices.

For example, AI tools are now assisting with the early detection of thoracic masses, dental disease, and osteoarthritis in dogs and cats.

2. Triage & Client Communication

Chatbots and AI-driven symptom checkers (like those integrated into practice websites or pet health apps) can help guide owners on whether their pet needs urgent care or not. This improves client education and can reduce unnecessary out-of-hours calls.

3. Practice Management & Workflow Automation

AI is streamlining admin tasks by:

• Predicting appointment no-shows

• Automating stock management

• Analysing pricing trends

• Assisting with rota scheduling

Some platforms even provide sentiment analysis on client feedback, allowing practices to identify areas for improvement.

4. Data-Driven Decision Making

AI is helping vets make sense of huge volumes of data—from patient histories and lab results to treatment outcomes. Platforms are emerging that can suggest treatment protocols or warn of potential medication interactions, all based on real-world clinical data.

What AI Can’t Do (Yet)

1. Replace Clinical Judgement

AI is not a replacement for a vet's intuition, experience, or communication skills. While it can assist with pattern recognition, it cannot evaluate nuanced patient behaviours or interpret the bigger clinical picture the way a trained human can.

2. Handle Ethical Decision-Making

From euthanasia decisions to client consent issues, veterinary care involves emotional, ethical, and legal considerations that AI is not equipped to handle.

3. Perform Physical Exams

As sophisticated as AI becomes, it can't palpate an abdomen, auscultate a heart murmur, or read subtle behavioural cues in real-time. Physical and tactile assessments remain firmly in the domain of humans.

4. Build Rapport with Clients

Strong client relationships are foundational to good veterinary care. Trust, empathy, and communication are inherently human traits. AI may assist with communication tools but can’t replicate emotional intelligence.

What’s Next for AI in Vet Med?

The next wave of AI in veterinary medicine could include:

• Customised treatment plans based on patient-specific data and outcomes

• Real-time pain scoring via facial recognition and body language tracking

• Language translation tools to better serve multicultural communities

• Enhanced telemedicine diagnostics, combining AI with wearable pet tech

But development must be paired with ethical frameworks, data privacy protections, and robust validation to ensure AI tools are safe, accurate, and beneficial for patients.

Final Thoughts

AI is here to stay in veterinary medicine—but it's a tool, not a replacement. Its most powerful application lies in supporting veterinary professionals, not substituting them. Used wisely, AI has the potential to reduce workload, improve accuracy, and enhance client service—allowing the veterinary team to focus on what they do best: caring for animals.

References

1. Barandiaran, I. (2022). AI in Veterinary Imaging: Where Are We Now? Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound.

2. Dehghani, M. et al. (2021). Artificial Intelligence in Veterinary Medicine: Applications and Challenges. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.

3. SignalPET. (2024). AI-Powered Radiograph Analysis for Vets. https://www.signalpet.com

4. Vetology AI. (2023). Veterinary AI Solutions. https://vetology.net

5. Lloyd, J. K. (2023). Ethics and Empathy in Veterinary AI: The Human Factor. Journal of Veterinary Ethics.

6. DVM360 (2024). How AI Is Shaping the Future of Veterinary Practice. https://www.dvm360.com