A ‘Fitbit’ to check if animals are fit and healthy

A ‘Fitbit’ for animals, starting with racehorses and military dogs, is set to fill a major gap in health monitoring.

The NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) Grand Challenge project involves a team of researchers from Macquarie University and the University of Sydney, and Perth-based industry partner VetChip.

Their innovation will soon enable real-time biochemical monitoring in animal biofluids for the first time, catching early signs of disease, stress, and injury while reducing reliance on invasive tests.

The innovation will provide a complete picture of the health of a racehorse. Credit: AdobeStock

Dr Joe Lin, Chief Investigator and Postdoctoral Researcher in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Macquarie University, is leading the Smart Electrochemical Nanosensors for Real-Time Animal Health Monitoring project.

He says the integration of advanced electrochemical sensing with VetChip’s existing device will deliver a non-invasive diagnostic tool.

“Nanomaterial breakthroughs let us shrink a diagnostic lab onto a single chip, giving animals a real-time sentinel that detects stress or disease before any outward sign," Dr Lin says.

"This next generation of smart sensing technology transforms a simple microchip into a real-time health guardian."

The project will advance VetChip’s implantable biosensor, which is inserted under the skin like a pet microchip.

Once implanted, it places no further burden on the animal, eliminating the need for repeated pinpricks, rectal thermometers, or blood tests.

The innovation will upgrade the biosensor from tracking vital signs to real-time biochemical analysis, detecting key biomarkers like glucose, pH, and lactate to reveal early signs of stress, fatigue, dehydration, infection, and metabolic disorders.

From left to right: Dr Joe Lin from Macquarie University (Supplied); Professor Fariba Dehgani from University of Sydney (Credit: University of Sydney); Dr Garnett Hall from VetChip (Supplied).

“Many critical conditions, such as diabetes, dehydration, metabolic disorders, and early-stage infections, manifest through biochemical changes in biofluids before physical symptoms become apparent,” VetChip CEO and Vet, Dr Garnett Hall, says.

“The absence of real-time biochemical monitoring means key indicators of metabolic stress remain undetected until the condition has significantly progressed.”

Another advantage is that unlike current human wearables, which often rely on costly reagent-based test strips to monitor diseases such as diabetes, this innovation is reagent-free—allowing for ongoing use without needing replacement materials.

“From the perspective of a vet, I’m particularly excited about this project,” Dr Hall says. “Being able to monitor all health parameters in real time gives us a complete picture of an animal’s wellbeing—and that’s a game-changer.”

The device could eventually serve an important role in protecting bilbies (top left), koalas (top right), pet cats (bottom left) and livestock such as cattle (bottom right). Credit: AdobeStock

“Think about human diabetes monitors—billions have been spent developing them, and they still need regular consumables. With this sensor, you can embed it once and continuously monitor glucose and other markers forever.”

Co-Investigator and Director of Bioengineering Research at the University of Sydney, Professor Fariba Dehghani, says the project represents a significant leap forward in animal health monitoring, addressing critical challenges in agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and public health.

“By developing a miniature real-time sensor, we aim to revolutionise diagnostics with a minimally invasive, highly sensitive, and rapid analytical tool,” Professor Dehghani says.

Professor Carolyn Hogg from University of Sydney. Credit: Supplied

“This innovative technology will enhance early disease detection, improve animal welfare, and optimise productivity across various industries, ultimately benefiting the environment and the agriculture sector.

The device will first be used in racehorses and working dogs, before expanding to veterinary hospitals for pets and livestock management.

Conservation biologist Professor Carolyn Hogg from the University of Sydney says the device could also play a vital role in protecting threatened species like koalas and bilbies.

“Novel methods that will permit us to be able to monitor welfare status of translocated individuals will be a game changer in the conservation management space,” Professor Hogg said.

NSSN Environment & Agriculture Theme Lead Dr Tomonori Hu says he’s excited to see where the project will go.  

“Wearables have proven to be a massive industry for humans and adapting these to animals (beyond the commonly done position tracking such as sensors on pet collars) will be a great step,” Dr Hu says.

“This a good partnership between what’s needed from VetChip’s side, and what is possible through Macquarie University’s research.”

The ‘Fitbit’ for animals will initially be used on military dogs (pictured) and racehorses. Credit: AdobeStock

The project team is one of four collaborative teams across NSSN’s member universities which will share $360,000 of NSSN Grand Challenge funding, matched by a further $430,000 in industry partner funding, to develop impactful solutions in health and agriculture.