Improving large animal practice efficiency with credentialed veterinary technicians

Large animal veterinary practice faces many challenges, in­cluding competitive markets, labor shortages, increasing costs of goods, and more. One major concern that our profession currently recognizes is a decrease in the total number of large animal veterinarians available to service producers despite increased demand for large animal veterinary care in many re­gions.1,2,3 Recent data from the AVMA states that less than 4% of veterinarians are employed in food-animal practice.1 There has also been a 15% decline in the total number of veterinar­ians who practice food animal or mixed animal medicine.1,3 This makes it extremely difficult for livestock to get adequate veterinary care to keep herds and flocks healthy. The lack of veterinary care and oversight creates a significant concern for animal welfare and food safety. As this shortage continues, the scarcity of large animal veterinarians for foreign animal dis­ease surveillance becomes a significant concern in securing the business continuity of our food supply.