Vetnuus | December 2025 13 >>>14 Mobile Apps in Veterinary Medicine: Literature Review on Opportunities and Benefits for Veterinarians, Animal Owners and Animal Welfare Authors: Dr Erik Diez, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary; Prof. Dr Atilla Wohllebe, University of Applied Sciences Wedel, Wedel, Germany Introduction Similar to human medicine, veterinary medicine faces similar opportunities and challenges regarding digitalisation (Diez, 2020). In particular, the use of telemedicine is regarded by pet owners as a relevant service, for example, to reduce waiting times and expose pets to less stress (Diez et al., 2023). Given the widespread use of smartphones, it is logical to implement digitalisation in general and telemedicine in particular through app-based solutions. Studies in the context of health insurance apps in human medicine show that patients expect a broad range of functionalities (Lange & Wohllebe, 2025). Other studies also consider mobile apps in the healthcare sector from the perspective of physicians or medical staff in general (Gagnon et al., 2016; Wozney et al., 2015). In veterinary medicine, however, it is not sufficient to adopt only the perspectives of pet owners and veterinarians. It is also essential to consider the impact on the pets themselves as recipients of care. Studies show that mobile apps have a wide range of applications for healthcare professionals (Mosa et al., 2012; Ventola, 2014). Other studies highlight specific smartphone applications for treating exotic pets, such as for diagnosis or in endoscopy (Huynh, 2019). There are also application cases in veterinary medicine for treating specific diseases, such as bovine fasciolosis or in dermatology (Brewer et al., 2013; Haubold et al., 2024). In addition, apps aid with diagnosis or medication (Mosa et al., 2012). Telemedicine, teleconsultations and remote monitoring using wearable devices also represent opportunities to use smartphone apps in veterinary medicine (Teller & Moberly, 2020). The emergence of artificial intelligence brings additional momentum and opens up new possibilities to use mobile apps in veterinary medicine (Owens et al., 2023). Against the backdrop of the numerous application possibilities of smartphone apps in veterinary medicine and regarding the three perspectives of veterinarians, pet owners, and the pets themselves, this paper therefore investigates the following research questions: • What opportunities and benefits do mobile apps in veterinary medicine offer for veterinarians? • What opportunities and benefits do mobile apps in veterinary medicine offer for pet owners? • What opportunities and benefits do mobile apps in veterinary medicine offer for animal welfare? • What challenges and risks are associated with the use of mobile apps in veterinary practice? The research questions are answered in a structured manner on the basis of the same and through a literature review. In particular, papers published in the last 10 years (2015 to 2025) in a scientific journal of the Scimago ranking Q4 or better are used. Literature Review Opportunities and Benefits of Mobile Apps in Veterinary Medicine for Veterinarians Mobile applications and digital technologies are increasingly transforming the field of veterinary medicine, offering a wide array of opportunities and tangible benefits for practitioners. One of the most significant advantages is the enhancement of patient care through real-time data access, streamlined diagnostics, and improved treatment planning. Mobile apps facilitate more effective communication with clients, enabling timely updates, remote consultations, and better overall transparency in veterinary services (Andrews et al., 2015). These tools also provide veterinarians with convenient access to current clinical data and peer-reviewed medical literature, thereby supporting evidence-based decisionmaking. In addition to their communicative and informational utility, mobile applications can function as powerful decision-support tools. For instance, Haubold et al. (2024) demonstrated the successful use of a mobile app for guiding strategic control measures in the management of bovine fasciolosis. This illustrates the potential of mobile platforms in improving disease control protocols and advancing herd health management. Likewise, Fejzic et al. (2019) emphasise the efficiency gains and improved quality of veterinary consultation made possible through the integration of mobile and digital health technologies. Educationally, mobile apps have been shown to enhance student engagement and preparedness. Hannon (2017) highlights the utility of mobile tools in veterinary anatomy education, where interactive and visual learning resources contribute to more effective knowledge acquisition. The use of smartphones in clinical practice extends to specialised imaging modalities, including endoscopy, infrared thermography, and ultrasonography, particularly within exotic animal medicine (Huynh, 2019). These devices support diagnostic versatility and portability, which are crucial in field and emergency settings. Moreover, the advancement of telemedicine - encompassing services such as teleradiology and telecardiology - has enabled lowcost and scalable healthcare delivery models. These applications increase access to veterinary expertise in remote or underserved areas while reducing overhead costs (Hassan et al., 2024). Artificial intelligence (AI) has further contributed to improvements in diagnostic accuracy, standardisation, and clinical efficiency, particularly in the analysis of imaging data (Owens et al., 2023). Finally, microfluidic technologies represent an emerging frontier in veterinary diagnostics. As noted by Busin et al. (Busin et al., 2016), the miniaturisation and automation offered by microfluidic systems promise significant advances in point-of-care testing, enabling rapid, accurate diagnostics with minimal resource input.
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