Biotech and the Future of Veterinary Medicine                                        Dr. Merle Marks            

Here we are again; speaking about how fast things are changing in the medical profession.  This month I'd like to quickly look at some of the marvelous gadgets and treatments which are currently on the cutting edge of progressive medicine and then look into my crystal ball and give some forecasts as to what new things may lie ahead in the next decade or so.

First, lets look at what is happening today.  We have monitors which non invasively, can detect heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure and blood oxygenation simply by attaching a clip to the tongue.  We have ear thermometers, ultrasound, microchips for identification, cat scans, MRIs; there's all the new medications, specific problem related diets, once-a-month flea treatments (TopSpot) as well as once-a-month heartworm preventative(Heartgard) and canine Alzheimer's disease medication.  A blood substitute is now available to give transfusions without the real thing.  Things are advancing at an astronomical pace--when you link advancing medical research with new computer technology, you get a booming biotechnology sector.  I believe biotechnology will be the next emerging rage over the next 2 decades, just as the Internet has been for the last 5 years.

Now, for my crystal ball.  These are the possible improvements and advances that may come to pass in the next decade or so.  How about not only a microchip which identifies a lost pet, but a chip which can be tracked so a lost pet can be located from a cell phone?  How about a medication which can be given to a patient with kidney disease to allow poisons in the body to be bound and excreted by the liver and eliminated through the gastrointestinal tract?  How about a yearly flea vaccination?  A DNA sequenced protein which prevents or reverses hip dysplasia and/or arthritis?                              

 We are talking about advances which are coming in years not decades.  We are talking about raising the bar on the level of care owners should want and expect for their pets.  These possibilities will again extend the life expectancy of our pets.  Later this year, scientists are expected to finish sequencing our human DNA--once they have that blueprint, it is just a matter of time before we locate the proteins for diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, leukemia, heart disease--the list goes on and on.  It is the most exciting medical breakthrough since antibiotics and will change the way we live forever.  It goes without saying that the veterinary profession will benefit greatly, not only from discoveries on human DNA itself, but from the shortcuts that will be learned as scientists become better acquainted with
faster ways to reach conclusions on diseases and treatments.  I am betting alot on the biotech industry; heck I'm even investing in it.  You are too, everytime you have a procedure done on your pet or pick some prescription or medication.

I strongly suggest you prepare yourself  for the ride ahead.  Just because technology is going to be helping your pet live a longer, healthier life doesn't mean that you aren't going to be faced with even more tough decisions on the level of care for your pet.  You will have many difficult decisions, alot of them based on finances.  I am seeing it more and more every day.  Most people take getting a pet too lightly.  They never figure they will have to spend the amount they spend.  Think seriously about
health insurance as you never know what level of advanced care your pet may need.