- Weekend Rounds
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- 2024 Wrapped & Veterinary AI
2024 Wrapped & Veterinary AI
Plus: Happy New Year?
Hello š
Welcome back to another edition of Weekend Rounds!
Help settle a debate weāve been having around the Obi office this weekā¦ when is when it too late to wish someone a happy new year?
When is the latest you should greet someone with "Happy New Year!" before it is weird? |
Hereās what else weāre covering:
š» This week in veterinary AI
š Our favorite year end lists
š Quick hits
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This week in Veterinary AI
2025 is heralded as the "Year of Agents" in artificial intelligenceāa shift from standalone models to autonomous systems capable of performing complex, multi-step tasks with minimal human intervention. These AI "agents" integrate reasoning, learning, and collaboration, enabling them to adapt and optimize workflows dynamically. In veterinary medicine, agents could revolutionize tasks such as patient triage, diagnostics, and case management by functioning as virtual assistants that analyze data, predict outcomes, and suggest treatment plans. This advancement holds the potential to reduce workloads while enhancing care quality, though careful integration is essential to ensure reliability and trust.
Key Announcements in AI This Week
PettureX AI Pet Health Scanner App
PettureX has announced the January 2025 launch of its AI-powered Pet Health Scanner app. Designed for pet owners, this app utilizes AI to analyze symptoms and provide actionable insights into pet health. While aimed at improving early detection and preventative care, the app also underscores the growing trend of consumer-facing AI tools in pet health. The real question, as with all AI, is where is the proof it works?Absci and Invetx Partnership
Absci and Invetx have partnered to leverage generative AI for developing new veterinary therapeutics. By utilizing Absciās AI-driven drug discovery platform, the collaboration aims to accelerate the creation of biologic treatments in veterinary medicine. We will keep our eyes out for any outcomes of this collaboration.
A Glimpse at AI Products in Veterinary Medicine
Emil Walleser of Mars recently shared insights into the 2025 veterinary AI market, highlighting the diverse applications of AI across various sectors and listing products available. It is a great resource and includes categories such as:
Diagnostics: AI tools that enhance radiology and pathology by identifying abnormalities with high precision.
Practice Management: Platforms powered by natural language processing to streamline scheduling and client communications.
AI Scribes: Real-time transcription and summary tools that alleviate documentation burdens during client visits.
Telemedicine Enhancements: AI-integrated platforms that assist in triaging cases or guiding virtual consultations.
Drug Discovery: Generative AI platforms facilitating the rapid development of veterinary therapeutics.
This evolving landscape signifies a transformative period in veterinary medicine. While these technologies promise enhanced efficiency and care, their implementation requires veterinarians to stay informed and actively participate in shaping their integration into practice. You can get a copy of the list here.
Todayās edition of Weekend Rounds is in partnership with:
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2024 Wrapped
Even though we are firmly in 2025 (well past the deadline to wish someone a Happy New Year, if you ask us š), we are still thinking about the 2024 lists and trends that will shape the coming year. The team over at DVM360 also shared the key trends they expect to see in 2025.
An economic wrap of 2024
Todayās Veterinary Business recapped a great white paper from Vetsource looking at overall industry trends in 2024.
The veterinary industry is navigating a post-pandemic world marked by shifting pet owner behaviors and economic challenges. Practices face declining visits and revenue growth, despite efforts to increase service prices. Hereās how practices can adapt and thrive.
Key Trends:
Economic Pressure: Rising inflation and cost of living are leading clients to stretch the time between veterinary visits, with a 48% increase in days between visits since 2020.
Revenue Drivers Stalling: Price increases no longer suffice as declining patient numbers and reduced wellness visits (-2.9% YOY) are heavily impacting revenue.
Declining Product Loyalty: A significant drop in purchases of parasiticides and therapeutic diets highlights pet ownersā shift toward non-veterinary options.
Veterinary practices must evolve beyond price hikes and focus on creating exceptional client experiences. Itās clear to us that practices that embrace technology, diversify service options, and deepen client relationships will build sustainable growth in 2025.
The New Species discovered in 2024
The natural world continues to surprise us with extraordinary discoveries. Here are three of the most remarkable new species scientists uncovered this year, as highlighted by NPRās All Things Considered. If nothing else, the names are fantastic. Weāre all for as many Lord of The Rings references as possible.
The Fluffy Fungus Beetle
Found in: Australia.
What makes it special: Discovered by entomologist Jim Tweed during a camping trip, this beetleās body is covered in spindly, white, hair-like structures, giving it a fungal appearance. This unusual feature might deter predators. Itās so unique that scientists classified it as an entirely new genus.
The Skeleton Panda Sea Squirt
Found in: Coastal Japan.
What makes it special: Resembling a panda in a skeleton costume, this tiny underwater invertebrate has bone-white markings that are actually blood vessels visible through its gills. It lives in small groups that look like underwater trick-or-treaters.
The Eye of Sauron Pacu
Found in: Amazon River Basin.
What makes it special: Named Myloplus sauron, this vegetarian fish has striking black and orange patterns that resemble the fiery Eye of Sauron from The Lord of the Rings. Despite its intimidating name, itās completely harmless.
While these discoveries highlight the planetās incredible biodiversity, many of these species face immediate threats from habitat destruction and climate change. Protecting these rare finds is critical to preserving our natural world.
Top Pet Poisons of 2024: Key Insights from the Pet Poison Helpline
Every year, the Pet Poison Helpline analyzes thousands of cases to identify the most common toxins affecting pets. In 2024, their findings reveal shifting trends in pet poisoning incidents and highlight the importance of vigilance for pet owners.
Notable Trends
Marijuana Exposures Decline: For the first time in six years, marijuana-related calls dropped by 24.7% compared to 2023. Despite this, marijuana remains a significant concern, ranking 6th on the dog toxin list.
Rodenticide Risk Rises: Bromethalin, a type of rodenticide, climbed to 3rd place on the list for dogs, emphasizing the dangers of rodenticides in pet-accessible areas.
Species-Specific Dangers: Cats and dogs have distinct toxic hazards. For instance, lilies top the toxin list for cats, while chocolate remains the most common poison for dogs.
Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2024
For Dogs:
Chocolate
Grapes/Raisins
Bromethalin (rodenticide)
Xylitol
Ibuprofen
Marijuana (THC)
Anticoagulant Rodenticides
Vitamin D3 (overdose)
Carprofen (overdose)
Onions/Chives/Leeks/Shallots (Allium species)
For Cats:
Lilies (Lilium species)
Chocolate
Onions/Chives/Leeks/Shallots (Allium species)
Garlic
Ibuprofen
Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily)
Vitamin D3 (overdose)
Amphetamine Combos
Carprofen
Tulips
VIN News Service Year End Content
You know by now we are big fans of VIN News Service and the dedicated reporting they do for the profession. During our week off they were hard at work publishing a year end wrap of āWhat every happened withā¦ā following up on a few key stories from 2024.
They also have their year end quiz. Even though we write this newsletter every week, Ryan only got 10/15. Its time to sharpen those reading comprehension skills in 2025.
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Quick Hits
Here are some of the other stories that caught our eye and we're following this week from around the veterinary world and animal kingdom:
How did we do today?Tell us what you thought of this edition of Weekend Rounds so we can keep improving! |