Veterinary medicine has changed quite a bit over the last couple of decades, and there have been many fantastic improvements.
While most advancements have appeared in specialty fields of the sector, there have been a few great trends in general practices as well.
In fact, described below is a peek at some of the top trends in the field today.
Cat-Friendly Practices
Even with cats slightly outnumbering dogs in population within the U.S., it is unfortunate that most people simply do not take their feline friends to the veterinarian as they should. This is due mainly to the fact that these types of visits can be very stressful for cats and even more difficult for their owners.
However, more and more today, veterinarians are taking steps to change this situation.
Of course, the best way to do this is to make their practices more cat-friendly. While there are many things that veterinary practices are doing to help make cats and their owners more comfortable, you will find some of the top new trends listed below.
- Separate Entrances for Cats and Dogs
- Cat-Only Waiting Rooms
- Cat-Only Examination Rooms
- Feline Calming Pheromone Diffusers in Cat-Only Exam Rooms
Mobile Technology
Due to the rise in smartphone and mobile application usage, there has also been a rise in the usage of mobile technology in veterinary practices.
In fact, the use of mobile applications are exploding in veterinary facilities all across the country. With these apps, vet techs can do such things as perform an x-ray and send it to the veterinarian for review within just a few minutes.
Mobile technology has become highly useful in communicating with clients as well. Through the use of various mobile apps and automated SMS messages, veterinary practices can send their clients such things as appointment reminders, test results for their pets and notifications pertaining to new services and/or medications.
Non-Traditional Treatment Methods
Years ago, it was difficult to nearly impossible for pet owners to find non-traditional treatment centers for their pets. Traditional practices did not offer non-traditional treatment methods, and facilities that did were few and far between. However, more and more veterinary practices are now integrating complementary care into their treatment options.
Today, many veterinary hospitals and clinics in the U.S. are offering such non-traditional treatments as chiropractic care, acupuncture and herbal remedies.
In fact, all-natural pet foods have even taken a forefront in many veterinary facilities as clients look for animal food that is not made with excessive additives and low-grade ingredients.
Social Media Marketing
With more people conducting their essential business online, veterinarians have realized the importance of having an online presence. When practices have their own website, it is much easier for clients to find them. Additionally, websites allow potential clients to get to know businesses while browsing their sites.
Furthermore, veterinarians can significantly increase traffic to their websites by creating accounts on such social sites as Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.
By posting useful information, regular updates and links to their homepage, the potential for veterinary practices to convert visitors into clients can be amazingly high.
Pet Medical Insurance
Another top trend in the veterinary medicine industry today is the rise in popularity of pet medical insurance. Several years ago, there were only a few insurance companies that pet owners could choose from, and they only offered limited coverage. This is simply not so today.
Today, there are dozens of pet insurance companies offering varying types of coverage for many different species of animals. Gone are the days when pet owners had to deny treatment for their pets due to the inability to pay for treatments and medication. Pet medical insurance has made it possible for pets to receive the care they need even during emergencies.
These are some of the top trends in veterinary medicine today. With more people realizing the importance of regular healthcare for their furry and feathered friends, the field will likely continue to grow over the next several years. In fact, some trends that may be on the horizon include such things as underwater treadmills, bone growing (bionic treatments), lasers and new specialty services.