Veterinarians, download your diagnoses

Texas-Next time, you're unable to pinpoint a specific medical condition, key the symptoms into new software created by Texas Medical Informatics for an instant diagnosis.

The Associate program, built like an online textbook, provides veterinarians background information on 475 feline and 550 canine diseases, as well as recommended treatments. Diagnoses are ranked in order of likelihood.

The veterinarian can input details of the pet's medical history, presenting symptoms and results from lab tests. A list of suggested ailments is at your fingertips within three minutes.

"It's a big step up from having to do a literary search but it's not artificial intelligence - it's just trying to discriminate clues to what the disease is," says Dr. Craig Carter, one of the program's creators.

Currently the $295 program is only available for cats and dogs, but the company is partnering with Veterinary Information Network to include additional animals. The program can be downloaded at www.vin.com, a subscription site.