AI and Long-Acting Parasiticides Build Buzz at VMX
The Veterinary Medicine Expo (VMX) conference offered key takeaways on the economic impact of fewer veterinary visits, the evolution of parasiticides, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence and technology advances in veterinary medicine. Consider these highlights from the show.
1. Veterinary visits are down
Brakke Consulting, a firm specializing in the animal health, veterinary and pet industries, shared critical insights at its annual Brakke Industry Overview. Speakers shared the animal health industry’s performance in 2024, which included data reflecting a 6.5% growth rate driven by innovation.
While veterinary visits are down, revenue is up; but research from the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) revealed veterinarians are beginning to show concern about the decline in veterinary visits.
The labor picture continues to improve, with fewer vacancies than last year. There also is a perception there is not a need for a mid-level veterinary professional who would work below the veterinarian and above the veterinary technician. Instead, the first step may be to leverage veterinary technicians more efficiently to support the veterinarian.
Also of note: While some suggest a need for more Colleges of Veterinary Medicine to meet the future demand for veterinarians, 2024 Brakke research shows two-thirds of veterinarians think the 33 current schools are enough. And 21 percent of those respondents say the existing schools will likely produce more veterinarians than needed.
2. Parasiticides continue to evolve
Long gone are the days of flea baths. When companies introduced topical flea and tick treatments in the 1990s, veterinary professionals could all breathe a sigh of relief — and it’s only improved since then.
Brakke highlighted the opportunities for over-the-counter parasite control delivered by companies such as Chewy and Amazon and prescription parasiticides purchased at veterinary practices. New products continue to enter the market, such as a long-acting injectable parasiticide that may be released in 2025. This product is designed to improve client compliance and may last up to a year with one injection.
Other new products include parasiticides that offer broader protection from ticks, fleas, heartworm disease, roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. These developments demonstrate continuous innovation to elevate pet health.
3. AI and technology will change veterinary utilization
Brakke speakers predicted the need for better Artificial Intelligence (AI) in early-stage pipeline. Some companies are rising to answer the call. One example is IDEXX, which features diagnostic analyzers leveraging AI.
Other AI-related products include DAISY AI (Dental Artificial Intelligence Say Yes). It uses a picture-archiving and communication system (PACS) that starts with a Smartphone app pet owners download. It’s marketed to pet owners as their own personal pet care smart assistant, allowing pet owners to collaborate more efficiently with their veterinarians and veterinary team members.
Talkatoo is an AI-based company that offers to support documentation and charting to save the veterinary professional’s time. These products highlight some areas of the potential for AI and online services to enhance practice efficiency.
Other new technology developments include Nobivac’s NXT RNA veterinary technology. It is designed to take an RNA sequence from a pathogen’s specific gene of interest (GOI) and trigger a more targeted immune response. The canine influenza vaccine received USDA approval in June. In September, the company announced the feline leukemia virus vaccine as part of its lineup.
Veterinary professionals’ interest in regenerative medicine may indicate a shift from symptom modifying treatments to disease modifying therapies. Regenerative medicine encompasses biological therapies to regenerate or replace cells that are injured, diseased or defective. This includes stem cell, cell-based and gene editing therapies.
Bottom line: While the veterinary industry continues to evolve, veterinarians will need to focus on service. Companies can lead with technology that makes broad leaps in innovation instead of change in tiny increments.
VMX by the numbers
- 735 exhibits
- 1,300 hours of continuing education
- 86 countries represented
- Nearly 30,000 attendees
Portia Stewart, a senior Companion Animal consultant with Curious Plot, is the former Team Channel Director for dvm360 and former editor of Firstline magazine. She spent 19 years working in companion animal health media before joining Curious Plot.
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