New technology for veterinarians continues to change our approach to caring for pets. With recent advancements, we can do more for animals than ever before.
The field of veterinary medicine, like so many other areas of science, constantly churns out world-altering advancements. The unstoppable geyser of new technology for veterinarianshas allowed for breakthroughs in the way we approach the treatment of animals.
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is a surgical diagnostic procedure that people have used on humans for decades. Using a light source and a small camera, a laparoscopic procedure involves inserting the devices into the thoracic or abdominal cavity to explore the body. By using laparoscopic technology, vets can look through a pet’s body without the need for invasive surgery. Its application to veterinary medicine has saved pets from going under the dangerous, costly surgeon’s knife.
Ultrasounds
When veterinarians want to scan the inside of a pet, they’ve traditionally used an MRI machine. However, for this to take place, the animal must undergo sedation with expensive anesthesia. Furthermore, we cannot transport MRI machines, so animals must always come to the veterinarian’s office when they need a scan. To cut down on costs and eliminate the need for the animal to travel, veterinarians are turning to portable veterinary ultrasound technology.
Ultrasound imaging may be familiar to anyone who’s ever been pregnant, as it’s the preferred method for observing fetuses in the womb. The technology involves moving a wand around the area. This wand takes immediate 3D pictures of what it finds underneath. With these new portable designs, ultrasounds are becoming a convenient alternative to MRIs.
Recombinant DNA
Recombinant DNA, or rDNA, is a technology that uses enzymes to cut and attach DNA sequences. Using rDNA, biologists can essentially “hack” the genomes of specific animals. This new technology for veterinarians allows for a cheaper drug production process and opens the door for advancements like cloning and engineering mutations that protect animals from disease. However, people still hold many ethical concerns about rDNA. As a result, we have yet to see its full potential.