The AI Revolution: How Technology is Transforming Veterinary Care

Efficiency is more than a buzzword—it’s a necessity. In a 2024 industry report, 61% of veterinarians cited productivity and time savings as their top reasons for adopting AI tools.¹ And it’s not just about saving time:

• 58% believe AI contributes to revenue growth
• 73% say it enhances resource allocation
• 53% see it as a competitive advantage¹

With nearly 40% of veterinary practices already using AI, early adopters are setting the pace for a more efficient future.¹

AI is shortening the amount of time veterinary professionals spend on repetitive tasks. The time savings may prove particularly valuable to independent practices that are already strapped for employees and struggle with work-life balance.

AI can automate routine tasks, such as:

• Medical Record Updates – Automatically draft SOAP notes to be reviewed/approved by staff
• Appointment Management – Streamline scheduling and reminders
• Treatment Plan Automation & Inventory Control – Optimize workflow and reduce human error

The focus of AI tools should not be to replace veterinary teams. Instead, it’s about freeing them to focus on what matters: delivering high-quality care.

Beyond automation, AI can offer clinical assistance. By analyzing common case patterns, breed-specific trends, and even rare conditions, AI has the potential to act as a valuable partner, helping veterinarians in diagnostic decision-making. AI tools empower veterinary teams to make informed decisions faster, boosting both confidence and outcomes.²

Despite the capabilities of AI, trust remains central to care. Veterinary professionals should consider embracing a mindset of “trust, but verify”—using AI to enhance clinical judgment, not replace it.⁴

Technology can never replace the compassion behind a stethoscope. But it can help ensure that every minute spent with a patient is focused, informed, and impactful.

The message is clear: AI is not the future. It’s the now. And it’s helping veterinary practices do more—with greater accuracy, less overhead, and stronger connections with pet parents.

By embracing AI thoughtfully, veterinary teams are poised to improve productivity, elevate care, and redefine what it means to run a modern practice on their own terms.

Covetrus’ Pulse platform is leading the charge, offering a suite of AI-powered tools:

• Pre-Appointment Summaries – Quickly generate a patient overview from PIMS data, saving up to 5 minutes or more per appointment³
• Ambient Listening – Record consultations and automatically generate SOAP notes for review by the veterinary professional, saving valuable minutes per visit³
• Journey Workflows – Auto-generate prescription recommendations for veterinarian approval, allowing time for 1-2 additional visits a day per practitioner³

With AI integrated into each stage—from check-in to check-out—Pulse isn’t just a tool. It’s a care companion.

1. Global Pet Industry (April 2024). “Almost 40% of Vets Are Using AI Tools to Gain a Competitive Edge.” https://globalpetindustry.com/news/almost-40-of-vets-are-using-ai-tools-to-gain-a-competitive-edge/
2. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound, “Artificial Intelligence in Veterinary Radiology: A Review,” 2021.
3. Covetrus Internal Data (2025). Pulse Platform Efficiency Comparisons – VetSuite® vs Non-VetSuite Users.
4. AVMA (May 2024). “Artificial Intelligence Poised to Transform Veterinary Care.” https://www.avma.org/news/artificial-intelligence-poised-transform-veterinary-care