Alberta is known for many things, and leading-edge technical innovation is one of them.
Plus, we love our pets.
Combine both of these, and it’s another Alberta win!
Alberta’s latest tech breakthrough is in cat care with an innovative app called Tably, developed by Sylvester.ai, a Calgary company led by Susan Groeneveld.
This revolutionary app represents a significant advancement in understanding and managing cat pain.
Cats are Stoic
Reflecting on the challenge of detecting pain in cats, Groeneveld noted to the CBC that “when a cat is in pain, they go and hide under the bed, versus a dog that’ll present to the owner, like kids do.”
Tably aims to bridge this gap in communication.
Within a week of its initial free release for Beta testing, the app saw an impressive 54,000 downloads, highlighting the substantial interest in such a tool.
The app operates on the principle of using algorithms to apply veterinary-standard facial pain scores to images of cats.
Take a photo of your cat, and the app will use facial recognition to detect pain.
As Groeneveld suggests, this new way of doing things cuts down on people’s personal biases when figuring out how much cat are hurting.
Dr. Liz Ruelle, a Wild Rose Cat Clinic veterinarian and an advisory board member for Tably, has already utilized the app in its beta-testing phase. She plans to prescribe it for older cats and post-surgical monitoring, noting that cats’ facial expressions, like humans’, alter with their mood and pain levels.
“Like if we’re in a good mood and we smile, we could think of how our cheeks are uplifted. We see the apples of our cheeks. If I had whiskers on my cheeks, then I would have that same uplifted, happy whiskers,” she told the CBC.
“But when I’m feeling sad, or headache, or painful, then those facial muscles start to sag down … instead of being upright and perky whiskers, they would be kind of dropping down the face.”
Extensive Testing
Tably has undergone clinical testing in various regions, including Europe, the United States, and Canada. It is set to be launched in select Canadian clinics this fall and will be available in the US., France, and Singapore.
Its special computer programs help vets look at and understand the information. This is really important for taking care of cats.
The app’s potential extends beyond veterinary clinics.
Groeneveld and Ruelle are also considering a lite version for everyday cat owners, though no release date is set.
This version could revolutionize how cat owners interpret their pets’ needs, leading to better care and understanding. It’s like asking your cat how they feel, and the app can give you the answer.
Sylvester.ai, the company behind Tably, has plans to integrate this technology with other pet tech platforms, helping owners better understand their cats’ health and lifestyle issues.
For instance, integrating Tably with a telehealth platform could facilitate immediate pain assessments and prompt veterinary consultations if needed.
The app can also track a cat’s well-being over its lifetime, offering insights into potential health issues and monitoring post-medical procedures.
Award-Winning
The company’s efforts were recognized when they won a $25,000 Purina Pet Care Innovation Prize, among five awarded from nearly 140 applicants.
Having assessed over 350,000 feline pictures, Sylvester.ai envisions expanding its capabilities to include more species and the early detection of diseases like diabetes or urinary tract infections.
Ultimately, Tably represents more than just an app; it’s a pioneering step towards enhancing the well-being of cats and providing peace of mind to their owners.
Alberta’s tech sector keeps coming up with amazing innovations, and this time, both cats and cat owners benefit.
That news is enough to raise the whiskers on our cheeks!
