Review of applications of deep learning in veterinary diagnostics and animal health

Abstract

Deep learning (DL), a subfield of artificial intelligence (AI), involves the development of algorithms and models that simulate the problem-solving capabilities of the human mind. Sophisticated AI technology has garnered significant attention in recent years in the domain of veterinary medicine. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the research dedicated to leveraging DL for diagnostic purposes within veterinary medicine. Our systematic review approach followed PRISMA guidelines, focusing on the intersection of DL and veterinary medicine, and identified 422 relevant research articles. After exporting titles and abstracts for screening, we narrowed our selection to 39 primary research articles directly applying DL to animal disease detection or management, excluding non-primary research, reviews, and unrelated AI studies. Key findings from the current body of research highlight an increase in the utilisation of DL models across various diagnostic areas from 2013 to 2024, including radiography (33% of the studies), cytology (33%), health record analysis (8%), MRI (8%), environmental data analysis (5%), photo/video imaging (5%), and ultrasound (5%). Over the past decade, radiographic imaging has emerged as most impactful. Various studies have demonstrated notable success in the classification of primary thoracic lesions and cardiac disease from radiographs using DL models compared to specialist veterinarian benchmarks. Moreover, the technology has proven adept at recognising, counting, and classifying cell types in microscope slide images, demonstrating its versatility across different veterinary diagnostic modality. While deep learning shows promise in veterinary diagnostics, several challenges remain. These challenges range from the need for large and diverse datasets, the potential for interpretability issues and the importance of consulting with experts throughout model development to ensure validity. A thorough understanding of these considerations for the design and implementation of DL in veterinary medicine is imperative for driving future research and development efforts in the field. In addition, the potential future impacts of DL on veterinary diagnostics are discussed to explore avenues for further refinement and expansion of DL applications in veterinary medicine, ultimately contributing to increased standards of care and improved health outcomes for animals as this technology continues to evolve.

Keywords: automated disease detection; computer vision; deep learning; digital pathology; image analysis; machine learning; neural networks.

Figure 1

Example workflow of the development of a deep learning system.

Figure 2

PRISMA flow diagram.

Figure 3

The proportion of different data modalities used in the deep learning studies.

Figure 4

The proportion of different species researched in the deep learning studies.

Figure 5

The number of deep learning studies in veterinary medicine across the years.