Equine veterinarian shortage only going to get worse, industry warns
Reported by Australian Broadcasting Corporation · August 14 at 5:33 PM · Summary by Hoofdeck
Equine veterinarians in Australia are warning of a looming shortage, especially in regional areas. Martin Dolinschek, the new president of Equine Veterinarians Australia, says lower starting pay and on-call demands deter new graduates, with only about 2 to 3 per cent of around 800 new vets each year thought to enter equine medicine.
Background
Large-animal veterinary work often involves long rural drives, after-hours calls and physically demanding conditions, which can make recruitment and retention harder than in small-animal practice. Shortages of this kind tend to show up first as longer waits for routine and emergency visits in rural areas.
Why it matters
Fewer equine vets nearby can mean longer waits for dental, lameness and emergency care for your horse.
What you can do
Ask your vet now about backup options and emergency arrangements for your area, and consider scheduling routine work like dental checks and vaccinations ahead of time.
Check what your pet can and cannot eat
Written by Hoofdeck from the report by Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Background is general information, not advice about your horse; if you are worried, call your vet.