AI in Veterinary Software: Feature Comparison for 2026

If you’re evaluating veterinary practice management software in 2026, AI is probably part of the conversation. Most veterinary professionals aren’t looking for more technology; they’re looking for fewer headaches.

AI promises to help with common challenges, and in some cases, it does. But not all AI tools are built the same or built for the way veterinary practices actually work.

If you’re evaluating veterinary practice management software in 2026, the real question isn’t “Does it have AI?” It’s “Does the AI actually help my doctors work better?”

Here’s how the top platforms stack up and what to look for when comparing AI features across systems.

1. Shepherd

Platform overview

Shepherd is a second-nature, cloud-based veterinary practice management software designed and driven by veterinarians, with a focus on clean workflows, intuitive usability, and reducing cognitive load during the workday for teams that are starting to use AI in veterinary medicine.

How they’re leveraging AI

Shepherd’s AI is designed to support clinical workflows in real time, with tools that assist veterinary professionals without taking control away from their clinical decision-making. It sits within the veterinary practice management software.

During the appointment

• TranscribeAI is an ambient AI scribe tool that listens to conversations and automatically generates structured SOAP notes in real time.
• It filters out non-medical dialogue and places information into the correct SOAP sections.

Chart review + navigation

• SummarizeAI surfaces key patient history and clinical context instantly, reducing the need to scroll through records.

Clinical decision support

• DiagnoseAI analyzes patient history to assist with differential diagnoses and case planning, functioning as an intelligent clinical support tool for veterinary practices.

Key takeaway

Shepherd focuses on doctor-controlled AI embedded directly into the workflow, helping reduce cognitive load without automating clinical decision-making.

2. Covetrus Pulse

Platform overview

Covetrus Pulse is a veterinary operating system designed to unify practice operations through a connected ecosystem.

How They’re Leveraging AI

Covetrus AI focuses on automating tasks across each stage of the patient visit, from prep to follow-up.

Pre-visit preparation

• AI Pre-Visit Summaries generate patient overviews and highlight key medical history

During the appointment

• Ambient Listening (AI Scribe) records conversations and generates editable SOAP notes

Clinical decision support

• AI Treatment Suggestions surface potential next steps based on exam data

Workflow coordination

• AI Treatment Board updates track patient status and care tasks across the team, designed to support veterinary teams in managing patient care collaboratively

Post-visit + follow-up

• AI Visit Summaries and discharge instructions generate client-facing documentation
• Automated reminders and workflows support follow-up care, including appointment reminders to improve client compliance and reduce no-shows

Key takeaway

Covetrus emphasizes end-to-end workflow automation, using AI to reduce manual input and standardize processes across the visit lifecycle. Their all-in-one system contributes to overall practice efficiency and reduces administrative burden for veterinary teams.

3. Digitail

Platform overview

Digitail is a modern, all-in-one platform with a strong emphasis on user experience and client communication.

How they’re leveraging AI

Digitail’s AI functions as a multi-purpose assistant, combining documentation, navigation, and workflow support. Digitail is also recognized for its user friendliness, making it easy for veterinary teams to adopt and use the platform efficiently.

During the appointment

• AI SOAP note generation creates medical records from user input or voice

Chart review + navigation

• AI patient summaries provide quick overviews of medical history

Workflow assistance

• Tails AI assistant (chat-style interface) helps users navigate records, treatments, and workflows, and supports customizable workflows tailored to each clinic’s needs

Client + intake support

• AI assists with patient intake and communication workflows, enhancing client engagement through proactive communication features.
• Digitail also includes inventory management features integrated with clinical workflows, supporting real-time stock tracking and operational efficiency.

Key takeaway

Digitail uses a centralized AI assistant model, offering flexibility but relying more on user interaction than passive workflow integration.

4. ezyVet

Platform overview

ezyVet is a highly customizable system with deep integrations, especially within the IDEXX ecosystem.

How they’re leveraging AI

ezyVet is gradually introducing AI into its existing automation-heavy system, which is recognized as one of the major practice management systems with smooth integration capabilities.

During the appointment

• AI-assisted note generation (voice-based) transcribes conversations into SOAP notes

Data filtering

• AI helps remove irrelevant information to produce cleaner medical records

Key features

• Robust automation
• Customization options
• Client communication tools

Key takeaway

ezyVet’s AI is still emerging and documentation-focused, layered into broader practice management systems known for customization and complexity.

5. Provet Cloud

Platform overview

Provet Cloud offers flexible workflows and strong data security, particularly for international practices.

How they’re leveraging AI

Provet Cloud applies AI to reduce time spent on repetitive documentation and administrative tasks.

During the appointment

• AI SOAP note creation assists with medical record documentation

Chart review

• AI clinical summaries condense patient history

Post-visit

• AI-generated discharge instructions create client-facing care summaries

Workflow efficiency

• Automation tools help streamline routine clinical and administrative processes, optimize documentation workflows, and minimize manual data entry.

Provet Cloud also integrates payment processing features for seamless billing.

Key takeaway

Provet Cloud focuses on AI-driven efficiency in documentation and follow-up workflows, particularly for high-volume practices.

6. Vetspire

Platform overview

Vetspire is popular among larger and specialty practices in veterinary medicine, with strong networking and record-sharing capabilities. Provet Cloud is also noted for its responsive support for international practices.

How they’re leveraging AI

Vetspire’s AI features are centered on documentation speed and record accessibility, especially for larger or multi-location practices. Vetspire also offers robust patient records management and supports streamlined veterinary workflows, enhancing efficiency across documentation, client communication, and clinical operations.

During the appointment

• AI Scribe records and transcribes conversations into medical notes

Chart review

• AI patient summaries provide quick overviews of medical history

Key takeaway

Vetspire prioritizes faster documentation and easier record review, with AI-powered tools supporting high-throughput environments. Users report positive experiences with data migration and record accessibility, making platform adoption smoother for practices.

7. NectarVet

Platform overview

A newer platform focused on improving efficiency, compliance, and communication.

How they’re leveraging AI

NectarVet uses AI to simplify documentation and surface patient insights during visits.

During the appointment

• AI voice dictation enables faster SOAP note completion by producing AI-generated documentation using accurate clinical language

Chart review

• AI patient history assistant answers questions about medical records

Workflow support

• AI acts as a virtual veterinary scribe, helping streamline appointment flow and clinical documentation and allowing staff to focus on personal attention for clients

Key takeaway

NectarVet focuses on lightweight AI assistance, improving speed and accessibility without deeply restructuring workflows.

8. DaySmart Vet

Platform overview

A flexible, user-friendly system designed for a range of practice types.

How they’re leveraging AI

DaySmart Vet’s AI is currently focused on voice-driven documentation.

During the appointment

• Daisy Voice (AI dictation tool) allows users to dictate SOAP notes

Record management

• Works alongside auto-save and multi-user editing within the medical record, and reduces the need for manual editing by leveraging advanced AI vet tools that automatically fill in and organize medical notes.

Key takeaway

DaySmart’s AI is narrowly focused on dictation, offering incremental efficiency gains rather than full workflow integration.

What actually matters when comparing AI vet tools

After looking across platforms, most AI tools fall into a few categories:

1. AI scribe (Transcription)

Nearly every system is moving toward voice-to-SOAP functionality. The difference is accuracy and structure.

• Does it just transcribe?
• Or does it intelligently organize medical notes?

2. AI-powered summaries

Helpful in theory, but only if they surface the right information at the right time.

• Are summaries contextual and clinically relevant?
• Or just condensed text?

3. AI Assistants

Some platforms offer chatbot-style tools. These can be helpful, but often they sit outside the core workflow.

4. Clinical Decision Support

This is where AI gets more impactful and more nuanced.

• Does it support medical reasoning?
• Or generate generic suggestions without context?

The Real Differentiator: Control vs. Automation

Here’s where things really separate.

Many platforms focus on automation-first AI:

• Generate notes
• Suggest actions
• Move quickly

Shepherd takes a doctor-first approach, supported by tools like Shepherd’s TranscribeAI for AI-powered transcription:

• AI supports clinical thinking
• Doctors stay in control
• Outputs are structured, relevant, and editable

That difference matters, especially in medicine. The goal isn’t just faster workflows. It’s better decisions with less mental load.

How veterinary professionals can choose the right artificial intelligence tools

When evaluating your software options, ask:

• Does this actually save time during the appointment or just after?
• Will my doctors trust it?
• Does it reduce cognitive load or add another layer to manage?
• Is it built into veterinary workflows or sitting beside them?
• Can I control it, or do I have to work around it?

Shepherd’s key features are built around real clinical flow

Shepherd’s AI tools, TranscribeAI, SummarizeAI, and DiagnoseAI, are designed to work with veterinarians, not around them. Tools support veterinary professionals rather than replacing clinical judgment.

With artificial intelligence designed for veterinary medicine, you can benefit from:

• Less typing
• Less scrolling
• Less second-guessing

And more time focused on what actually matters: patient care. Shepherd’s AI features are accelerators within the practice management platform that help you focus on your patients and actively listen, rather than taking notes.

“TranscribeAI makes documentation more efficient. It will summarize history and recommendations to clients as well as what diagnostics/treatments clients agree to quickly and easily.”

— Sam Felker, Urgent Paws Veterinary Clinic