Russian Scientists Develop Disease Diagnostic System for Dogs

Researchers at Perm Polytechnic University have developed an automated system for diagnosing diseases in dogs. The system operates on a navigator-like principle, helping veterinarians quickly arrive at the correct diagnosis. A scientific paper describing the work was published in the journal Agrarian Bulletin of the Upper Volga Region.

At the first stage, the researchers organized information on the most common canine diseases into a hierarchical tree. The “trunk” represents infections or organ dysfunctions. The “branches” correspond to narrower categories, such as viral or bacterial infections. At the ends of these branches are specific diagnoses and disease variants. Each element of the tree was assigned a unique digital code.

The second stage involved building a mathematical model of the diagnostic process. It describes how the system should consistently move from an initial assumption to an exact diagnosis. Researchers recorded the logic of all possible transitions and decisions in special tables, which later became the foundation of the system.

The final stage was the creation and testing of a working prototype. Using a specialized simulation environment, the team assembled a diagnostic scheme based on the derived logical equations.

A Reference Tool for Veterinarians

The researchers also created a reference guide for veterinarians that links symptoms to their assigned digital codes. A veterinarian identifies the symptoms, enters the corresponding values into the system, and receives a precise diagnostic result.

According to Kostarev, the diagnostic navigator serves as an alternative to foreign technologies. It can be used both as a clinical assistant for veterinarians and as a training tool for students.

The next stage of development will involve clinical trials on real animals. The system can also be adapted to diagnose diseases in farm animals and exotic species.