New collars monitor pets for pain, problems

This Aug. 9, 2015 self-portrait shows Michele Saltzman of Bedford, Mass., and Lucas, a 10-year-old beagle she adopted in October, 2014, from a shelter in Vermont. Because Lucas has a heart murmur and fainting spells, she went online and bought a PetPace health collar, which immediately notifies her about any changes in Lucas' vital signs. A wearable collar can tell an owner when a dog is in pain, something even the dog is sometimes not able to do. It’s just what Saltzman needed for Lucas.(Michele Saltzman via AP) This Aug. 9, 2015 self-portrait shows Michele Saltzman of Bedford, Mass., and Lucas, a 10-year-old beagle she adopted in October, 2014, from a shelter in Vermont. Because Lucas has a heart murmur and fainting spells, she went online and bought a PetPace health collar, which immediately notifies her about any changes in Lucas' vital signs. A wearable collar can tell an owner when a dog is in pain, something even the dog is sometimes not able to do. It’s just what Saltzman needed for Lucas.(Michele Saltzman via AP)

By Associated Press September 2, 2015 3 min read

LOS ANGELES (AP) – You can use wearables with GPS to keep track of wandering dogs. Others help you track animals’ physical activity.

Now, two companies have the latest in wearable pet technology: collars that can check for a fever, monitor pulse and respiration, and even indicate if your pet is in pain.

PetPace, based in Burlington, Massachusetts, has a medical collar that can measure a dog’s vital signs and other information to look for signs of pain. Irregularities trigger a notice by phone, text or email. Voyce, created by I4C Innovations Inc., and based in Chantilly, Virginia, has a consumer version that tracks similar information. It also has a Voyce Pro that is available to veterinarians to prescribe for pets recovering from surgery or long-term illness.

Both smart collars can be programmed to monitor for a pet’s specific illness. Dogs and cats over 8 pounds can use them.

Kenneth Herring, who lives outside Detroit, uses PetPace to monitor his 5-year-old dog, Jack, as part of a test case to see how effective the collar is in helping detect epilepsy.