Russian Students Use AI to Detect Deadly Dog Disease After Tick Bites

The new system can identify blood parasites with 99% accuracy — offering a fast, life-saving diagnosis for infected pets.

A group of Russian students has built an AI-powered diagnostic tool to detect babesiosis — a life-threatening disease that spreads through tick bites and attacks dogs’ red blood cells. Created at the Timiryazev Academy, the system, called “AI VetScope,” uses neural networks to identify Babesia spp. parasites in blood samples with 99% accuracy.

The disease progresses rapidly and can be fatal if not diagnosed early. With this technology, veterinary clinics could catch infections in time and drastically improve survival outcomes.

The project recently won a national student competition, “Startup as Thesis,” and is part of a growing trend in Russia where young developers are building real-world medical and veterinary tools. These innovations are fueled by investments in digital infrastructure and training at institutions like the Timiryazev Academy.