How COVID-19 Led to Innovations in Dog Care

Companion Pets Bracing for More Love from Owners and Industry

By Dr. Balpar Sandhu

In America, the concept of dog ownership has changed dramatically, and the animals that share our lives are now acknowledged as companions, family members, and our main consoler. When the COVID-19 pandemic entered our lives, we became just as concerned for the health and well-being of our animal companions as we did ourselves.

Veterinarians across the nation are fielding questions about dog to human transmission. Pet owners are worried if their dogs are at risk, and what provisions to take to safeguard them against potential infection. Thankfully, aside from a few isolated cases there have been no reports that our four-legged loved ones are at risk.

This is good news, but it gets better. Since the coronavirus skyrocketed research and development in the areas of health care and infectious disease control, veterinarians seized the opportunity to dive deeper into technological advances in veterinarian medicine. ActiVet Insights – a mission to help organizations navigate the future trends, emerging technology and consumer insights of the animal health industry – announced there is a new wave of powerful innovations and integrated solutions that will focus on the continuum of animal care.

Testing for COVID-19 is also available for your dogs. Idexx Laboratories has made its polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test commercially available to veterinarians. Several university laboratories and research facilities also have PCR tests available for animals. Nasal, oropharyngeal and rectal swabs can be submitted for PCR testing.

Due to relaxed governance on telemedicine by the FDA, telehealth is a platform on the rise. It is being used by more veterinarians to stay connected with the dogs they treat and their owners. There are several variations at play from veterinarians connecting with owners via video conference during the exam of a pet. At the same time, the owner waits outside in the car to arranging video calls with owners to discuss basic care or non-life-threatening questions that can be answered without a physical exam.

Other business innovations taking place is the accessibility of veterinarian care in places we visit on a near-daily basis. COVID-19 has spotlighted the need to restrict movement, so why not place veterinarian care offices in areas of mainstream accessibility? Having a veterinarian on-site in places like Walmart or Target is an idea the industry is considering. We’ve already seen a successful business model in the PetSmart/Banfield offering of in-store pet care where optimum wellness plans are among several options toward offering continuing health care and monitoring of your dog.

These are small steps in a series of innovations taking place. Smart pet trackers, remote health monitoring, and personalized food programs are all areas currently in development or already available. These innovations will ripple across every sector within the pet industry. From manufactures of pet food and supplies to veterinarian care to at-home health and well-being care, life is looking better for the dogs in the United States.

About the Author: Dr. Balpar Sandhu is the resident surgeon at the AV Veterinary Center in Lancaster, Calif., which is top clinic providing medical, surgical, rehabilitation, and trauma center for pets. Dr. Sandh graduated from Punjab Agricultural University, India in 1990 passed his veterinary boards for the U.S. in 1995. His ECFVG clinical rotation was completed at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, and his surgical residency was at Animal Medical Center of Southern California in West Los Angeles. In his spare time he enjoys breeding and showing Arabian horses, spending time with his children and keeping up his ranch.