Dr. Vinod Sharma, Director & Head of Veterinary Services, DCC Animal Hospital, India.

Emerging Trends in the Veterinary Industry in India: Revolutionizing Pet Care with Technology

Lots of changes have been impacting the veterinary industry lately, to start with the most important role is played by advancement in technology, the evolving societal acceptance and attitude towards pets being members of family & therefore a growing focus and demand for advanced healthcare & welfare.

This has basically changed the scenario for veterinary services where pet owners now demand high quality and know how to sift between the good and the not-so-good. New insights and promising trends are emerging as a result, making businesses more invested in good resource quality & techniques including a much-needed shift to deep diagnosis which has been much needed.

01. Increased Pet Ownership and Changing Attitudes

India has seen a notable rise in pet ownership in recent years. Rising incomes, more access to what leads to urbanisation, more focus on quality, more global exposure and so on. Now when people adopt pets, some believe that these are ‘our kids’ for life, some feel so close that in some form they call them family which indeed is the most desirable trend cause it allows the pet also to lead a healthy, valued & happy life as the pet owners in invested in more ways than one, alongside deepening the human-animal bond which is the most beautiful bond of love. This has led to increase in demand for better health solutions for pets, easy access to vets, simplified ways to maintain records for future, sophisticated boarding & wellness needs for pets.

In urban areas, pets are now increasingly recognized for their emotional support and mental health benefits. While we have always known that their love is unconditional, pet owners are beginning to realise it’s a two way stream , they want to give back in form of time & health therefore far more proactive with the health of the pet as compared to before.

02. Growth of Specialized Veterinary Services

As the pet care industry matures, there is a growing demand for specialized veterinary services. Specialised fields much like in case of humans, be it dermatology, dentistry, orthopaedics and more will emerge more prominently rather than a ‘general vet’. Mult speciality hospitals & centers will drive this trend, many global players are already and will continue to see potential in the Indian market helping the category to grow overall and advanced science in this field would become a matter of interest for one and all.

Additionally, alternative therapies like acupuncture, physiotherapy, and hydrotherapy are gaining popularity, especially for pets with chronic conditions or those recovering from surgery. This holistic approach to pet care is appealing to pet owners seeking comprehensive solutions that address both physical and emotional well-being.

03. Adoption of Advanced Diagnostic Tools

The adoption of advanced diagnostic tools and techniques is becoming more widespread in the veterinary industry in India. Back in the day , pet owner had to travel distances to find MRI, X Ray, diagnostic labs, ultrasound but now we are seeing them being present as a wholesome unit under one roof, allows for easy access and also helps the vets diagnose a complex health condition better and rule out possibilities increasing accuracy of treatment and faster relief to the pet.

Early detection of diseases is now possible and helps the pet and pet owner save the pain, spends and hassle at a much later stage of disease diagnosis. What’s best is one can see them asking for it now, earlier on was much recommended by vets but less accepted /need basis acceptance by pet owner.

04. Telemedicine and Remote Consultations

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine in the veterinary industry, a trend that is likely to continue. Telemedicine platforms enable pet owners to consult with veterinarians remotely, providing access to expert advice without the need for a physical visit. This is particularly beneficial in areas with limited access to veterinary services or for situations where transporting a sick pet may be challenging.

Telemedicine helps in case of SOS situations, in situations where the pet owners are travelling with their pets. Convenience and accessibility being at the heart of it. Also work from home & work from office have caused people to resort to easy medical support for their pets like immediately discussing any symptoms rather than waiting for situation to worsen.

05. Role of Technology: Hospital Management Systems (HMS)

Technology is playing a crucial role in transforming the veterinary industry in India, with the adoption of Hospital Management Systems (HMS) being one of the most impactful developments. HMS platforms streamline the operations of veterinary clinics and hospitals, improving efficiency and enhancing the overall client experience.

HMS widely adopted globally seamlessly integrates itself across various facets of hospital/clinic management right from booking, scheduling, billing, follow ups, prescriptions and so much more. Tech allows us to build what works best for each of us as a hospital and grow it as we go along basis growing demand and requirements. Idea is to increase efficiency and higher focus on patient care, allowing vets to be able to ease their chore list and spend more and more time on patient health & care.

By automating routine tasks, these systems allow veterinarians and staff to focus more on patient care. Additionally, HMS platforms provide valuable data insights, enabling better decision-making and more personalized care for each patient.

What’s best is that pet owners can access their pets’ medical records, receive reminders for vaccinations and check-ups, and even make payments online. This level of convenience and transparency enhances client satisfaction and loyalty.

06. Focus on Preventive Care and Wellness Programs

Preventive care is becoming increasingly central to veterinary practice in India, it’s of course driven by better understanding on part of pet owners when it comes to the health of their pets. When you treat your pet like your partner, you’re bound to care like one and it is much encouraged by vets cause preventive care goes a long way in determining the pet’s long term health, ageing concerns to a large extent can be pre-identified and precautionary diet & lifestyle changes can be recommended by the vet much earlier on.

Wellness programs also help educate pet owners about the importance of routine care, enhancing their understanding of their pets’ health needs. This focus on preventive care is improving overall pet health while reducing long-term veterinary costs for owners.

Conclusion

This transformation in veterinary industry and overall petcare industry is primarily driven by tech & we at the heart of it must think of what can we do better. We must realise more deeply pain points of the industry in terms of pet owners, being in their shoes and simplifying the end to end process with help of tech and of course build in more and more empathy.

Building on these changing attitudes determines the future of pet industry, adopting better equipment, more study on unique cases inspired by global markets and training our resources will be key in the years to come. Veterinary care will grow to be more efficient, accessible and personalised with as much focus on the pet’s health as would be for a human at a human hospital & even more cause the animal can’t speak. Hospital Management Systems will grow however keeping them optimised to every growing needs will be a constant process.

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