Next-gen Technologies Revolutionising Animal Disease Diagnosis

Dr.R.N.Sreenivas Gowda

Former and founder VC, KVAFSU, Former Director, IAH&VB, Bangalore.                                         Former Prof and Head, Veterinary Pathology, Veterinary College, UAS, Bangalore

Introduction

In today’s fast-moving tech world, a constellation of disruptive technologies are driving  a digital revolution in animal health care. Many new technologies have quickly advanced the way animals are cared for. Innovations range from artificial intelligence (AI) designed for predictive diagnostics to Internet of Things (IoT)-based wearable devices that can monitor poultry, livestock and pets in real-time, and telemedicine enabling remote consultation to genomics aiding the formulation of personalized care routine. This is no longer science fiction—it’s the emerging reality of next-gen animal health care.

New technologies are rapidly improving animal disease diagnosis, offering faster, more accurate, and more reliable methods. These advances include molecular diagnostics like PCR and Next generation sequencing (NGS), along with AI-powered tools for image analysis and predictive diagnostics. Additionally, biosensors and telehealth applications are expanding the range of diagnostic possibilities.

Such new technologies signify a new era in disease knowledge, in which discovering new information enabling more accurate predictions can lead to faster responses and greater control of potentially devastating disease crises.

The veterinarian also be prepared to use latest technological advancements with digital knowledge.

This article   deals with some of the advancements taken place in animal disease diagnosis in digital technology in veterinary science.

New technologies:

1. Sensor Technology

Sensors are the heart of modern poultry / dairy farm monitoring. These devices, when strategically placed, continuously collect data on body temperature, sounds, behavior movement, climate changes inside the poultry house can monitor the light intensity, level of humidity, CO2, and ammonia etc. and other critical parameters. Real-time information enables farmers to make informed decisions, ensuring optimal conditions for animals.

• Wearable devices:

These devices allow for early diagnosis and smarter treatments that help improve the overall health and well-being of animals. Whether dairy cows on smart farms or domestic animals, technology and AI are transforming animal care, giving veterinarians, researchers, farmers, and animal owners access to more accurate, personalized, and predictive health care for animals.

c). Artificial Intelligence(AI) and Machine Learning(ML)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a computer simulation of human intelligence processes, such as learning, reasoning, and self-correction, to solve a problem or perform a task. Instead of a brain, computers have algorithms, a series of step-by-step instructions for “thinking” about data inputs to achieve the desired goal.

AI has emerged as a game-changer, offering solutions that improve efficiency, productivity, and animal welfare. The Role of AI in Poultry Farming. AI-driven technologies provide farmers with powerful tools for disease detection, environmental control, feed optimization, and farm automation.

Machine learning is a subsection of AI where the algorithm isn’t given a set of instructions, but rather trained on data to make decisions or predictions on its own.

AI powers numerous innovations in animal health care. It can examine intricate patterns from diagnostic images, genetic information, and even behavioral data through machine learning algorithms.

• AI in veterinary medicine: These AI algorithms can already outperform human specialists when interpreting X-rays and MRI or CT scans. Some algorithms can even discriminate fractures, tumors, or organ anomalies much faster than humans can, occasionally with improved accuracy.
• Predictive analytics: In livestock management, peripheral AI applications are capable of predicting disease outbreaks. For instance, in dairy farming, mastitis outbreaks can be predicted well ahead of time, allowing timely farmer intervention to avert escalation.
• Chatbots and virtual assistants: Some veterinary clinics have embraced AI-powered chatbots and virtual aides that are capable of triaging patients, managing appointment calendars, giving basic medical advice, and answering basic questions posed by clients.

d). IoT technology in animal health

Agriculture implements IoT through use of robots, drones, sensors, and computer imaging integrated with analytical tools for getting insights and monitor the farms. Placement of physical equipment on farms monitors and records data, which is then used to get valuable insights.

• Wearable IoT devices for pets: Smart pet collars and vests come with sensors that monitor a pet’s vital signs such as heart rate, temperature, and levels of activities. If something goes wrong, an alert is sent to your veterinarian or your phone.
• An IoT sensor can detect changes in body temperature and other manifestations of disease in birds. Real-time data analysis enables farmers and company veterinarians to swiftly detect and respond to irregularities, and just as importantly, plan for potential outbreaks.
• Livestock IoT devices: Smart cattle ear tags, boluses, and ankle bracelets enable monitoring of herd health and aid in strategizing optimal feeding, fertility cycles, and disease management.
• Environmental IoT monitoring: Specialized sensors can track temperature, humidity, and air quality in barns, taking care of animals’ optimum conditions.

e). Telemedicine: Veterinary care without borders

• Just like human health care services were transformed by telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, this virtual form of care is also changing how veterinarians interact with patients.
• Video consultations: Now, clients can book a video call with a veterinarian, making it smoother to seek expert opinions for minor issues, postoperative care, or second opinions.
• Tele-triage services: Dedicated health care apps offer veterinary support around the clock to guide owners on whether an urgent visit is needed or whether home care will suffice.
• Health records mobile applications: With a health-record-based mobile app, owners can digitally store and share vaccination records, medications, and medical histories, facilitating communication between veterinarians and clients.

f). DNA Mapping

The breeding process has also been revolutionized by technological innovation. Advancements made in DNA mapping and animal health diagnostic tools over the last few decades provide today’s chicken breeders with access to an abundance of data regarding the health and genetics of the birds under their care. This data is instrumental in the breeding process.

• DNA tests to check for any genetic disorders down the line
• Blood oxygen level tests to ensure heart and lung health
• Ultrasounds to examine breast muscles.
• X-rays of joints. Leg and joint health are important traits to improve over each generation, as birds need strong legs and joints in order to easily access their feed and water and grow to their full potential.

g). Genomics and precision medicine: Custom fit treatment at genetic sequencing level. One more change on the horizon is genomics—the study of an animal’s genetic code to optimize health care.

• Breed-specific insights: Testing patients with a DNA testing kit can reveal specific traits in the animal, such as habits and allergies.
• Milestones: More sophisticated treatments are using stem cell therapy, using the animal’s own fat cells for enhanced efficacy.
• Advanced genomic breeding for agricultural animals: Genomics enables the selective breeding of more productive and resilient agricultural animals, resulting in decreased overall diseases and improved profits.

h). Drones and surgical robots:

• Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and environmental sensors are transforming how animal farms are managed. Seen as a far-fetched dream not too long ago, robotics in animal health care is an everyday reality.
• They provide an aerial view of the farm, monitor animal behaviour, identify potential issues, and assess the health of the animals.  
• They are used to spray insecticides to keep healthy environment tin the farm
• Computer-assisted surgeries: It enhances the skill of veterinary surgeons, and robotic arms are deployed during key-hole surgeries.
• Robotic systems in agriculture: Drones are used for monitoring and controlling bovine households. Milking, cleaning barns, and even sickness detection are now automated.
• Because of the enhanced capabilities of AI and machine learning, robotics is playing a larger role in the administration of care and facility maintenance. Robotics equipped with robust AI capabilities are working as surgical assistants and delivery and transportation aids.
• Sound detection technologies use microphones and sound analysis to monitor and identify audible signs of illness, such as coughs or respiratory changes.
• Thermal imaging uses heat sensors and cameras to monitor changes in temperature within groups of animals down to specific body parts such as hoofs and udders.
• Smart ear tag devices: can track the feeding, temperature, behaviour and movement of livestock and monitor vital signs for early indications of illness, heat detection and fertility – and transmit this information every 20 minutes, providing an accurate and up-to-date picture of each animal’s health. This data then feeds into a system that alerts a farmer or veterinarian as soon as there is a change that could be an early sign of illness or a change in health status. 
• 47% of poultry farmers in Switzerland reported used smartphones to monitor chicken barns.
• In recent years, the landscape of molecular diagnostics in veterinary practice has been profoundly influenced by advancements in molecular biology and genetics
• Gene analysis is an emerging area that could allow practitioners to predict possible health challenges in an animal’s lifetime through a Molecular genetic  “risk profile.”
  • Environmental DNA/RNA (eDNA/eRNA)
• Environmental DNA (eDNA) and environmental RNA (eRNA) are innovative techniques for detecting DNA and RNA in air, water, and soil samples. This non-invasive method captures nucleic acids released by organisms.This technique aids in disease diagnosis and monitoring in animals. Researchers have reported the use of eDNA and eRNA in biosecurity measures of animal farms.

k).  Big data and predictive analytics: Powering proactive health

Animal health care generates vast amounts of data, from vet records to activity logs from wearables. Big data analytics transform this information into actionable insights.

• Health trend analysis: By studying data across thousands of animals, we can identify emerging health risks and regional disease patterns.
• Personalized alerts: Platforms like IDEXX use data to send customized wellness alerts to clients, nudging them about pet vaccinations, diet changes, or preventive screenings.
• Farm management software: Big data help farmers monitor herd performance, detect productivity issues early, and optimize resources like feed and medication.

l) Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology:

• Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is a high-throughput DNA sequencing technology that rapidly sequences millions of DNA fragments simultaneously. It’s based on the principle of fragmenting DNA, attaching adapters, amplifying these fragments, and then sequencing them in parallel. The core concept involves reading the sequence by identifying the fluorescently labeled nucleotides as they are added to the growing DNA strand. 
• It is a valuable diagnostic tool used to sequence pathogens to understand their evolution and identification better. It has been successfully applied in disease diagnosis of human, animals and agriculture.

m). Biosensors

• Biosensors have emerged as essential tools in the field of molecular biology and bioanalytics, offering highly sensitive and specific methods for detecting and quantifying a wide range of biomolecules. These devices are valued for their ability to convert a biological response into a detectable signal, directly correlating with the concentration of the target molecule.
• Electrochemical biosensors coated with novel surface chemistry dramatically simplify development of portable diagnostics with potential to detect many disease biomarkers. Biosensors are rapidly gaining ground in animal health. These innovative devices can detect specific molecules associated with diseases, toxins, or environmental changes. They offer a fast and accurate means of diagnosing health issues in animals, enabling early intervention and precise treatment. (fig.1.)
• Biosensors address the critical problem of diagnosing infectious diseases in livestock, where the early and accurate detection of pathogens like Brucella and Toxoplasma gondii is essential for preventing significant reproductive health issues.

Fig. 1. A chronological overview of disease diagnostic tool development

n). CRISPR Technology

• Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) gene-editing technology can potentially transform how diseases are treated. It could help make significant advances against killer diseases like cancer.
• The CRISPR-Cas system, initially a genetic editing tool, is now being adapted for disease detection in animals. By designing CRISPR-based tests, farmers can rapidly identify diseases with high accuracy, providing an innovative approach to disease management in animal populations.
• CRISPR gene editing and next-generation sequencing (NGS) have transformed clinical and life sciences research. CRISPR permits the selective targeting and editing of specific nucleotide sequences, with a degree of accuracy and ease unachievable just a few years ago. NGS allows for high-throughput, precise and affordable DNA or RNA sequencing.

o). Smart bandages

• A bandage that uses sensors to monitor wound healing has been developed by researchers in the US. It “promotes faster closure of wounds, increases new blood flow to injured tissue, and enhances skin recovery by significantly reducing scar formation”, according to the Stanford University team behind it.
• A thin electronic layer on the bandage has temperature sensors that monitor a wound. If necessary, they can trigger more electrical stimulation to accelerate tissue closure.

p).  Blockchain technology: Safeguarding animal health records

• Amid all the sensitive information being exchanged, blockchain technology offers a secure solution.
• No alterations are possible: Blockchain guarantees precision and accuracy in protecting an individual’s health record, including the vaccination and treatment history.
• Visibility into the supply chain: In the case of animal husbandry and food production, blockchain monitors an animal’s life cycle from birth through its life until it’s sold, enhancing food safety and traceability.

The road ahead: A smarter, healthier future

The pace of digital disruption over the past few years has been spectacular, transforming every sector of the economy, including animal production, health and welfare. The fusion of these technologies is not happening in isolation—it’s creating a synergistic ecosystem where AI analyzes IoT data, telemedicine uses big data insights, and genomics informs personalized care plans.

Imagine this scenario: A farmer receives a mobile alert from a smart collar indicating early symptoms of illness in a cow. An AI diagnostic platform analyzes the data, suggests preventive measures, and schedules a telemedicine consultation—all automatically, in real time. Blockchain secures the treatment record for future reference.

The speed of both the development and application of digital technologies in animal health is increasing exponentially. While it took 150 years for dairy farming to shift from hand milking to mechanised milking, the last three decades alone have seen the introduction of milking robots, wearable sensors and heat detectors to identify the optimum window for cattle breeding.

New digital tools, services and insights are continually uncovering new potential to enhance the key pillars of defending and maintaining good animal health: prediction, prevention, monitoring, diagnosis and treatment.
Modern data infrastructure and analytics is allowing knowledge to be aggregated globally and across animals in every region so that:

• Veterinarians facing a rare circumstance or illness can tap into insights gleaned from the experiences of others to better understand treatment options.
• Researchers seeking subtle signs of health changes can use machine learning to analyse endless animal profiles and diagnostics results to find the subtle ‘signal in the noise’ that enables new protocols for prevention.
• Retailers can lean upon digital traceability systems that allow them to see how animals are raised and their produce reaches store shelves, helping them inform consumers of the safety and sustainability of production.

Furthermore, digital technologies are allowing for a level of individualized care never before achieved in animal health.

• Digital technologies hold immense promise to strengthen prevention, productivity, One Health, and overall animal care. It begins with the three primary areas of innovation – predictive, monitoring and diagnostics technologies.
• The digitalisation of diagnostics has provided more, better and earlier data about the signs and symptoms of ill-health, contributing to a greater understanding about how health conditions develop in animals and how to predict, prevent and treat them.
• Digital monitoring provides a stronger defence against the spread of diseases within a group of animals, and between animals and people.
• From microphone systems that identify fluctuations in poultry vocalization to computerised patient records and activity trackers for pets that help owners care for their pets in new ways – technology has relieved the burden of observation and filled the communications gap between animal and human.
• This data is increasingly being aggregated to build veterinary intelligence systems that can predict changes in an animal’s health state before it even occurs, allowing for preventative measures and custom health plans.
• Tools already exist that can amass and cross-reference animal health data and alert a farmer or veterinarian to an emerging issue based on signs in an animal’s behaviour, biological markers or diagnostics results.

Conclusion

AI integration in animal health management offers transformative potential for the livestock industry. Digital transformation in animal health care is giving new meaning to animal wellness, surpassing simple treatment. AI, IoT, telemedicine, genomics, and blockchain are advancing care in a more intelligent, rapid, and compassionate manner. From disease classification to production forecasting, these technologies empower farmers and veterinarians to make informed, data-driven decisions. While AI serves as a powerful tool for improving efficiency and animal welfare, it should complement rather than replace human expertise. The future of animal health lies in the synergy between AI technologies and traditional veterinary practices, driving progress toward more sustainable and productive agricultural systems.