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Horse and cattle owners see shortage of veterinarians willing to take the reins of large animal care


Published on 2024-12-08 18:25:25 - inforum
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  • WEST FARGO
  • When Happy, a sweet but oblivious-to-danger 9-year-old mare scraped up her back leg once again, owner Alicia Severson was able to call on Casselton Veterinary Service to visit her Gandin, N.D., farm and patch up Happy.

The article from InForum discusses a growing concern among horse and cattle owners in North Dakota regarding a shortage of veterinarians specializing in large animal care. This shortage is attributed to several factors including the demanding nature of the job, which often involves long hours, emergency calls at all times, and the physical and emotional toll of dealing with large animals. Many veterinary graduates are opting for small animal practice or other career paths due to better work-life balance, higher income potential, and less physical risk. The article highlights the impact on rural communities where livestock is integral to the economy, noting that fewer veterinarians are willing to take on the challenges of large animal practice. Efforts are being made to address this issue through incentives, educational programs, and outreach to encourage more veterinarians to enter or remain in large animal veterinary medicine. However, the problem persists, affecting animal health, welfare, and the agricultural industry's sustainability.

Read the Full inforum Article at:
[ https://www.inforum.com/news/north-dakota/horse-and-cattle-owners-see-shortage-of-veterinarians-willing-to-take-the-reins-of-large-animal-care ]
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