A vast
database of specialist opinion from bovine and canine practitioners
all over the world make both the software programs especially
appealing in terms of helping practitioners keep themselves
updated as also understand the differing approaches followed
in therapeutic guidelines.
There
is adequate coverage of important pathological findings,
risk factors and recommended treatments for most of the
important diseases affecting cattle in the milieu of a modern
dairy practice in developed countries.
CaDDiS
McKendrick
et al at the Department of Statistics and Information Science,
Veterinary Informatics and Epidemiology Group, University
of Strathclyde, Glasgow have attempted to develop a software
program that aids in helping veterinarians to diagnose correctly
tropical diseases of cattle. The researchers have developed
the software based on the use of a Bayesian belief network
to quantify expert opinion with the idea of predicting the
likelihood of various diseases in the presence and absence
of certain signs. Nearly 44 experienced veterinarians helped
to provide the response matrix of 27 signs associated with
20 commonly occurring diseases in sub-Saharan cattle. The
team have developed their program in to a software called
CaDDiS (Cattle Disease Diagnosis System) which is available
for consultation on the World Wide Web.
Mastitis
Diagnosis Software
Hoogeven
et al at the Department of Health and Reproduction,Utrecht
University, The Netherlands report on the development of
a knowledge-based system for the diagnosis of mastitis problems
at the herd level. According to them such a knowledge based
system must include a search for possible causes, including
malfunctioning milking machines or incorrect milking technique,
general mechanisms of mastitis infection and other aetiology
and pathology specific factors relating to mastitis.
TrypsChemo
Gu et al at the Department of Information Science, University
of Strathclyde, Glassgow, Scotland have reported the results
of using such a software. The computer program developed
to help them make a decision involved a decision support
system for the control of trypanosomiasis. Called, TrypsChemo,
the software has been designed to maximise the effectiveness
and cost efficiency of the various drug regimens available
for prophylaxis and treatment of trypanosomiasis. TrypsChemo
is currently undergoing test and evaluation by end users
in Africa.
Parasite
Identification Software
In
another report, Theodoropoulos et al at the Department of
Animal Production, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
have explored the idea of a developing a multimedia relational
database program for identification of parasites. Special
features that the program incorporates includes its ability
to identify incomplete information about a parasite by matching
available information to aid in identification. With a unique
user friendly graphical user interface and an unlimited
capacity to incorporate new knowledge, this software may
find tremendous application in veterinary clinics and hospitals
all over the world.
Phytox
Another
software that has been developed by the same team is Phytox:
a software program that lists out the signs of toxicity
seen in animals due to the ingestion of certain toxic plants,
fungi and algae. A clear identification of the plants along
with the clinical signs induced or post mortem lesions seen
make the software relevant for a busy practitioner keen
to rule out phytotoxicity.
Hemo
This
software aims to help the practitioner juggle with the difficulties
of correctly interpreting laboratory values. It is meant
for companion feline and canine practitioners to help them
to correctly understand and infer from laboratory findings.
Hemo
analyzes CBC, Chemistry, and UA results from canine and
feline patients and produces diagnostic reports featuring:
calculations like reticulocyte production index, anion gap,
adjusted calcium concentration, sodium/potassium ratios,
absolute differential cell counts, etc. Other features of
Hemo include: lists for diagnostic pattern matching, differential
diagnosis and additional tests.
DIAG
DIAG
is a software developed by Hanks et al at the PAN Livestock
Services Ltd., Department of Agriculture, Reading for the
use of regional and animal disease diagnostic laboratories
in Indonesia. It may prove to be useful not just in Indonesia
but disease diagnostic laboratories all over the world.
ZEBET
ZEBET
is a database that has been developed in Germany. Access
to ZEBET is free. It helps researchers to explore 125 alternative
methods to animal testing. ZEBET is accessible through FRAME
(Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments)
in the UK and CAAT (Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives
to Animal Testing) in the USA too.
Formularly
and Reference Manager
Another
old fashioned software still available is the multi-species
adjustable formulary and reference manager for DOS-based
computers The software helps to calculate dosages for as
many as 10 species, provides multi-use prescription labels,
food dosage and fluid therapy calculations for dogs and
cats. Other added features include provision for electronic
updation of new information.
Cardio
This software provides professional-level analysis of ECG
tracings from canine and feline patients. Interpretation
for parameters like: mean electrical axis, heart rate, chamber
enlargements, conduction abnormalities and rhythm analysis
are also included in the software.
Office
Software Vetware
This
is an office management software customised to meet veterinary
needs and includes a new inventory system, enhanced multiple
billing, quotations, charge code associations and greater
access to archives, enhanced compatibility and heightened
security. It is even equipped to handle enhanced database
structure. Individual preferences for report presentation
and even a special feature to promote a multi clinic merge
are some other special attractions.
ClientRemind.com
In
the internet era, another software that is beginning to
make its mark is one which helps the practitioner to communicate
effectively through the internet. ClientRemind.com helps
the veterinarian to create personalized e-mail reminders
and newsletters.
Geographical
information systems (GIS)
In
this kind of study, a more holistic view about the prevalence
of a disease may be obtained with the help of satellite
imagery. A model is then constructed called as a geographic
information system risk model where several other key epidemiological
data and atmospheric data like weather, rainfall, humidity,
soil type etc based on satellite imaging studies is obtained.
GIS
for schistosomiasis and snail borne diseases
A
recent survey of the literature reveals that this system
of modelling has been used for studying schistomiasis in
Egypt, and understanding the global prevalence of snail
borne disease. The GIS risk model to predict the relative
risk of schistomiasis occurring was constructed over a 4
year period by Abdel-Rahman and colleagues in Egypt. Development
of models such as this may be useful in helping to design
better disease control programs. Although currently restricted
to a handful of diseases, especially those fluke and snail
borne diseases, it is likely that the use of such systems
will soon have a far greater application both globally as
well as to disease specific endemic zones.
Conclusion
The
above reports show that the field has still a long way to
go and it may be a few more years before computers may really
take over as the expert and truly aid decision making in
diagnosis and therapy in the clinic.
References
