In the ever-evolving field of veterinary medicine, the integration of technology has become increasingly essential to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and enhance patient care. From digital medical records to telemedicine platforms, there is a wide range of tech solutions available to help veterinary practices thrive in today’s digital age.
Innovation is seeing what everyone has seen and thinking what nobody has thought. This is the epitome summarization of Isobar’s impeccable innovation which targeted a new audience... cats! This company (partnered with Zoos Victoria) is the first to use virtual reality on cats to measure their emotional response through neuroscience research. Pet Virtual Reality Research (PVRR) uses EEG and EKG technology to monitor electrical activity in the brain and heart so the cats’ emotions to certain stimuli can be observed. This method is effective as even though cats have limited color vision, the stimulus accounts for their better vision in the night. Isobar’s stimuli tests are tailored for legitimate and enjoyable cat content such as koi fish and low flying birds. Subsequently, they measure and convert the results into totally disinterested expressions per minute. This was done through the whisker attenuation and haptic telemetry (W.A.H.T) along with the computer vision and sensor platform which maximized software algorithms to identify the signs each feline has related to their whiskers and understand when a cat experiences one of the following: Totally disinterested (TD), Disinterested (D), Mildly disinterested (MD) and cat-nipped (CN)- a word equivalent to the brain activity seen in stimulated cats under catnip.
Such technological advancements allow cats to enjoy exploring outdoors due to the sensory experiences that mimic the outdoor environment, enabling them to explore and engage with virtual objects while staying inside where they are safe. Realistically, in Australia, pet cats killed more than 3.77 billion birds annually while 1 out of 5 of them lost their way home, which highlighted safety problems concerning pet cats. Through VR, Isobar provided a way for cats to immerse themselves in wandering around in fish markets, playing with gigantic yarn balls, chasing laser beams, encouraging them to stay home safely. More importantly, it can also motivate sport-deprived cats to lose weight and become healthier through physical exercise. Not only physical but mental exercises can also be done to alleviate boredom or can also be used as a tool for rehabilitation and behavior modification. For cats that may be recovering from surgery or dealing with anxiety, virtual reality can provide a controlled and safe environment for them to learn and adapt, promoting their overall well-being. It is clear that the integration of virtual reality in cat habitats has been a game-changer.
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