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Why the future of preventive pet care depends on adopting new technology

The COVID-19 pandemic saw a boom in pet care demand, which left the veterinary industry reeling. However, present economic uncertainty and a return to regular work schedules have led to declining visits and growth. With scarce funds, preventive pet care has quickly become a target of discerning clients’ budget cuts. 

Veterinary professionals understand the importance of preventive pet care to long-term health and well-being, but clients may not recognize the benefits of early detection. Technological advancements in client communication, such as those offered by Provet Cloud software, may solve this mismatch, helping practices reengage clients and prioritize wellness services. 

Post-pandemic shifts in veterinary medicine

Pet adoptions and veterinary demand surged during the COVID-19 pandemic as more people sought animal companionship while working from home. However, veterinary visits have since declined as many pet owners returned to normal work schedules and economic pressures have increased. 

The pandemic pet care boom created intense and often unsustainable working conditions for many veterinary professionals, making the downturn seem like a welcome relief. However, the AVMA’s chief economist points out that the 2.3% decrease in overall visits and a 1.5% decline in preventive care visits is the product of an impending recession that could impact hospital operations and revenues in the coming months.

Technology’s role in preventive pet care

Veterinary hospitals should seek low-cost ways to combat decreases in preventive visits and help pet owners keep their furry pals healthy. Technology can help teams reconnect with pet owners, emphasize preventive care’s importance, and provide new ways to deliver care. Here are the top technologies clinics can use to improve preventive pet care compliance.

1. Automated client communications  

Automated communication tools built into cloud-based software can send clients timely reminders about upcoming or overdue vaccinations, wellness exams, and diagnostic tests. Personalizing these reminder messages can create a stronger connection with clients and help emphasize the value of preventive pet care.  

2. Telemedicine

Telemedicine allows pet owners to consult with the veterinary team from the comfort and convenience of their homes. Improved accessibility can encourage preventive care compliance and give pet owners more opportunities to ask questions or express concerns. Telemedicine can also serve as a gateway to increased in-clinic appointments when pets need care beyond what’s possible virtually. 

3. Wearable activity and health trackers

Wearable devices and smart collars can monitor pets’ activity levels, sleep, and vitals, giving pet owners data that can spark their interest in pet health and precipitate preventive pet care conversations. Clients adopting wearable technologies are more likely to develop a proactive pet care mindset, driving an increase in wellness visits.

4. AI-assisted technologies  

Artificial intelligence (AI) routinely augments veterinary diagnostic tools, which can analyze results and images for abnormal patterns more efficiently than a human reviewer, helping to identify subtle changes. Integrating carefully vetted AI-assisted products into preventive pet care can reduce the mental load on veterinary teams, improve efficiency, and provide deeper insights into routine lab results.

5. Preventive pet care plans

Preventive care plans, or health/wellness plans, are service bundles that allow clients to pay for all or most of their pet's annual wellness needs in predictable monthly payments. Care plans make routine care more affordable while bundling services encourages clients to “use it or lose it” to take advantage of their benefits. Additional discounts for care plan members can sweeten the deal and make pet owners more likely to visit when new health issues arise. 

Structured care plans can bring in more revenue and ensure improved pet outcomes, but keeping track of services used and remaining can be an administrative nightmare. Integrating an app or third-party service into the hospital’s practice management system can simplify billing and shift the administrative burden away from the clinic team.

The future of preventive pet care

Technology is advancing rapidly in all areas of life, including veterinary medicine and preventive pet care. Today’s pet owners expect seamless integration of technology in health fields and easy digital access to trusted information and their pet’s veterinary team. Practices embracing emerging technology can leverage it to earn client trust, communicate value, and help make preventive care more affordable. 

According to the AVMA, recessions are inevitable in every economy. While fewer visits and lower growth are expected in the coming year, the profession is resilient and unlikely to suffer long-term consequences. In the meantime, clinics can leverage technology to boost efficiency, educate clients, and encourage loyalty to stabilize visits during uncertain times.

Key takeaways  

  • Preventive pet care visits have declined alongside overall veterinary visits because of post-pandemic economic conditions.

  • Integrated technology, including wearables, telemedicine, reminders, and AI, can help veterinary practices reengage clients to increase visits.

  • Wellness and preventive care plans can make routine care more affordable for pet owners. 



The cloud-based preventive pet care revolution

Cloud-based veterinary software allows practices to integrate new technologies into a seamless single dashboard easily. Plus, built-in features like reminders and communication tools can help teams stay connected with clients and encourage them to see preventive care as an investment in future health rather than an unnecessary expense.

Contact the Provet Cloud team to schedule a demo and learn how integrated software solutions can help you support your preventive pet care goals.

Author

Provet Cloud