The Next Frontier in Veterinary Equipment: 5 Trends Shaping the Industry
The veterinary equipment industry is on the brink of transformation.
Technology is advancing rapidly, and forward-thinking veterinarians are paying close attention to what comes next. But here’s the challenge: sticking with what worked in the past won’t be enough to keep pace with the industry’s future demands.
Veterinarians and vet techs want products that do more than save money—they want innovation and differentiation that adds real value to their veterinary clinic offerings. From wearables to AI, the trends shaping the future of veterinary care are diverse, and manufacturers need to pay close attention to the evolving needs of veterinarians and vet technicians.
Here are 5 game-changing trends the industry is closely watching.
Wearable Monitoring Devices
Wearable technology is no longer exclusive to human healthcare. The veterinary industry is seeing an increasing demand for health monitoring devices that provide real-time data on vital signs, activity levels, and overall pet health. While there are several wearable devices currently on the market that are marketed to pet owners and serve as GPS trackers activity, trackers, etc, few are designed for the clinician to use either in clinic or as an adjunct device for telemedicine.
Wearable devices offer non-invasive, continuous monitoring that allows vets to make faster, more informed decisions. Veterinary suppliers and distributors who have a software and/or technology business segment are particularly interested in this space because of the value it brings to clinics—especially products that integrate seamlessly with clinic workflows. But here’s the challenge: the product has to work exactly as it’s presented, and the user experience outweighs any benefit of affordability. Clinics aren’t just looking for affordable wearables—they want devices that are reliable, reduce staff burden, are easy to use, and deliver actionable insights.
Companies to Watch in the Veterinary Wearable or Wireless Space:
Bionet(VEMO), SmartSound Corporation (WithAPet), Zomedica (Vetguardian), StarCare (Catcher 311V, Catcher 321V)
VEMO wireless ECG monitor from Bionet
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning in Diagnostics
The promise of AI is clear: faster, more accurate diagnoses, which ultimately lead to better patient care and more efficient clinic operations. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping diagnostics in the veterinary space, with tools that can analyze images, predict health outcomes, and support decision-making faster than ever before.
But here’s the challenge—AI hype versus AI reality. Not every company claiming to use AI is truly delivering on that promise.
We’re seeing an increasing amount of “AI washing,” where companies slap the AI label onto their products as a marketing tactic without substantial AI-driven functionality behind it. This trend is dangerous for both manufacturers and distributors. It risks eroding trust in AI-based products and making it harder for genuinely innovative solutions to stand out.
Customers are getting smarter about this. They’re no longer impressed by the term “AI” on its own. They want to see products that can prove the effectiveness of their AI algorithms. It’s not enough to say a product uses AI—it must demonstrably improve clinical outcomes, reduce diagnostic time, or provide insights that aren’t available through traditional methods.
SK Telecom’s X-Caliber Service offers a great example of AI being used effectively.
This Korean company has developed a genuine AI-powered platform that analyzes X-rays, improving the speed and accuracy of diagnostics in busy clinics. By reducing diagnostic errors and helping veterinarians make faster, more informed decisions, X-Caliber’s AI delivers tangible value—not just empty promises. It’s a tool that is seamlessly integrated into existing diagnostic workflows, enhancing them without creating additional complexity for clinic staff.
Companies to watch in the AI Space: SK Telecom, SignalPet, Tech4Animals, Radimal, FidoCure
X Caliber from SKT (Korea)
Telemedicine and Remote Care Solutions
Telemedicine has rapidly transformed from a niche solution to a mainstream method of care delivery in veterinary medicine. Originally boosted by the pandemic, the demand for telemedicine is now a permanent fixture, driven by pet owners who want more convenience and flexibility in how they access care. But this isn’t just about convenience for clients—it’s about providing clinics with the tools they need to expand their services, increase efficiency, and better manage time-sensitive cases.
Today’s pet owners expect the same ease of access to veterinary care that they have with human healthcare. Whether it’s for routine checkups, follow-up consultations, or non-emergency issues, the ability to engage with a veterinarian remotely has become a major value-add for clinics. Distributors understand that telemedicine is more than a trend; it’s a critical tool that can increase clinic reach, improve client retention, and enhance the overall client experience.
One of the most dynamic developments in Veterinary telemedicine is the changing landscape of VCPR (Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship) laws. Historically, these laws have required an in-person visit to establish the veterinarian-client relationship before offering remote care. However, many states are now re-evaluating these restrictions in response to the growing demand for telemedicine. In states where laws are evolving, veterinarians can now offer a wider range of telemedicine services—especially for non-emergency cases or ongoing management of chronic conditions—without needing to meet face-to-face first.
The key for manufacturers is to realize that telemedicine solutions need to be robust, secure, and fully integrated into the clinic’s existing systems. Standalone telemedicine tools are no longer enough. Veterinarians are looking for comprehensive platforms that can seamlessly integrate with a clinic’s diagnostic tools, electronic health records (EHR), and practice management software. This level of integration ensures that the telemedicine offering is not just an add-on, but a core component of the clinic’s overall operations.
Companies to watch in the Telemedicine space: Vetster, Dutch, PawSquad (UK)
Enhanced Product Training and Post-Sales Support
In the fast-paced world of veterinary clinics, technology adoption depends on much more than just the quality of the equipment itself—it’s about how well that technology is integrated into clinic operations and how confidently the clinic staff can use it. Enhanced training and post-sales support services have become critical differentiators in this regard, and distributors are increasingly prioritizing manufacturers who provide comprehensive support services alongside their products.
Clinics are often hesitant to adopt new technology because they fear the learning curve, potential operational disruption, or the cost of retraining staff. Manufacturers who can offer robust training programs—whether in-person, online, or through on-demand resources—help clinics bridge this gap, ensuring that the product is used to its fullest potential.
Many established and successful manufacturers and distributors have the resources and teams to provide the high level of training and ongoing support that clinics need. Some, however, do not. This is where third-party companies step in to fill the gap. Companies specializing in veterinary technology training and technical support services partner with manufacturers and distributors to offer tailored training programs that can be rolled out across multiple clinics, ensuring consistency and effectiveness.
Many offer a range of services, from initial product setup and staff training to continuous education and troubleshooting. These companies act as extensions of the manufacturer or distributor, ensuring that clinics not only adopt the technology but also continue to use it effectively long after the sale.
Why is this important? Because clinics don’t want to be left in the dark after they purchase new equipment or technology.
When issues arise, they need to know they can rely on either the manufacturer or a trusted partner for support. The availability of ongoing training and troubleshooting services also reduces the risk of product abandonment—where clinics stop using technology simply because they don’t fully understand it.
Companies to watch for in the Enhanced Product Training and Post-Sales Support Space: EMSAR, Wave, Oncura Partners
PMS Integrations and Interoperability
The future of veterinary care lies not just in standalone innovations but in how well different systems communicate with one another. Data integration and interoperability are becoming critical factors in creating smoother, more efficient clinic operations. From practice management software (PMS) to diagnostic tools, the ability to unify these systems into a cohesive workflow is a growing necessity for modern clinics.
Yet, many manufacturers and software developers are still producing equipment and/or technology that operates in silos—products that don’t easily communicate with other systems. This lack of interoperability creates frustration for veterinary teams and decreases the overall value of the technology. As the veterinary industry becomes more digitized, clinics demand seamless integration between tools to eliminate the inefficiencies of manual data entry, paper records, and time-consuming workarounds.
Why is integration so crucial? Because data needs to flow freely between systems for clinics to maximize their technology investment. Consider a scenario where a diagnostic tool, such as an ultrasound machine, cannot integrate directly to a clinic’s PACS. In this case, the veterinary staff must spend more time exporting and importing data, increasing the likelihood of errors, slowing down patient care, and creating frustration for clinic staff. These inefficiencies can reduce the long-term adoption of even the most innovative products.
Veterinary clinics want to streamline operations, and they expect technology providers to offer solutions that simplify workflows—not complicate them. This is why many corporate veterinary groups are increasingly prioritizing equipment that offers easy integration with the most common veterinary software systems on the market, including popular PMS platforms and EHRs.
Technology developers and manufacturers that prioritize API flexibility and open-source solutions are leading the charge. For example, a diagnostic tool that can seamlessly transmit data to a wide variety of PMS platforms without manual intervention will always have an advantage.
There’s a significant financial and operational incentive for clinics to invest in integrated solutions. Seamless data integration reduces the administrative burden, enabling clinic staff to focus more on patient care and less on inputting data. This, in turn, reduces the chance for human error, improves clinical outcomes, and increases the overall efficiency of the clinic.
