Vet numbers plunge

Sunday, January 20, 2008

by DON STONEMAN

The number of large animal vets in the province has fallen, Stark told Ontario Federation of Agriculture directors in January. Those in large animal practices are more likely to want to do herd health work than to help a cow to calve.

Stark summarized a survey of 3,400 licensed practitioners conducted by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association last summer. More than half of vets asked to fill out the survey responded. The survey found that trends aware from large animal practices predicted in 2002 are continuing but at a faster pace. She blamed the BSE crisis.

The trend towards more women graduating from vet schools continues. "We are graduating people with a particular need to have more time off," Stark says. But a third of established vets who have quit doing large animal work cited "too much on call" time as the most important reason. Remuneration was cited by 22 per cent, and 18 per cent complained about working conditions.

Equine practice is the only large animal category on the rise, the study found. The number of veterinarians specializing in beef and swine have fallen by 31 per cent since 2002, while vets in dairy fell by 10 per cent. Small ruminant vets are down by 48 per cent and poultry by 32 per cent. Deer and elk practices fell by an astounding 86 per cent, reflecting the fall in numbers in farms with those animals.

Stark's suggestions for producers? Be a great client, accept the horses and pets, and make your barn "female friendly." BF