The Real Investigation We Need in the Veterinary Industry
Since CBC Marketplace did their “investigation” on Corporate Ownership and prices in Canadian Veterinary practices, my social media feed has been flooded with opinions and examples from one end of the continuum to another.
As the single largest expense in my own household (above mortgage, vehicles, or insurance), I understand the impetus to look at veterinary prices. But that’s not the investigation they should be delving into (imo). There’s a much bigger Elephant in the room.
Let’s talk about how veterinarians are 2 to 4 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. (1)
Let’s talk about how the average span in clinic for a veterinary technician (who has gone to school, accrued debt, and worked hard to get into their chosen profession) is 5 to 7 years. (2)
Let’s talk about an industry with an average turnover rate of 25% (compared to 6.9% for human physicians or 2.8% for dentists). (3)
The Job is Stressful
There’s no denying that working in a veterinary clinic is uniquely stressful. People are drawn to the industry because of their deep love of and compassion for animals. Yet, much of their day is spent dealing with traumatized patients, elective euthanasia, and having their best recommendations declined or ignored.
The hours are long - usually well beyond their schedule. Their shift may be over, but veterinary professionals stay on to watch their patients, to reach owners, or just to finish the mountain of paperwork left over after a busy day.
It’s no surprise that Canadian veterinary practices are facing a critical imbalance between labour supply and demand. The demand for veterinary care is at an all-time high after the pandemic surge in new pet ownership, while clinics face a significant shortage of both technicians and veterinarians.
One study postulates that clinics must increase productivity by an astounding 40% to bridge this gap. (5) Veterinary team members are overworked, and while you may feel shocked by veterinary bills - they’re still underpaid.
They’re not here for the $
Veterinarians make an average of $87,000 in Canada, compared to $398,000 for the average human physician (6,7)
Veterinary technicians (veterinary nurses) make an average of $44,000 compared to $72,000 for human nurses.
Your veterinary team isn’t here for money. They’re here because they deeply love animals. They want the best for them. They want to help you care for them.
And now we’re at the bigger Elephant in the room…..being constantly told they have no compassion when they deliver a bill, or that they’d do the surgery for free if they really loved animals, or that they’re only in it for the money is a very significant part of that heartbreakingly high suicide rate.
Veterinary Professionals are leaving the industry in droves…
They’re suffering from compassion fatigue and burnout (50% of veterinary team members and 30% of veterinarians describe themselves as suffering from burnout). (2)
They aren’t making enough money for stability.
They’re working long hours, long days, are in-clinic on their days off, and are struggling to support clients after hours when emergency clinics are at capacity and turning patients away.
They’re literally dying.
So before you post online about how vets are gouging owners, or how prices are too high, take a moment to remember that there are real people working in your practice. People who are deeply compassionate and caring. Who will take your words to heart.
Are veterinary prices high?
Yes. Because quality care is expensive. Here in Canada, we are blissfully unaware of the costs of medicine. We don’t get presented with a bill at the end of a Dr visit. We aren’t personally bankrupt after a hospital stay. We just do NOT have an understanding of the costs of medical care.
Although we have many wonderful specialists in veterinary medicine, your local neighbourhood DVM is still a jack of all trades. Their practice includes dentistry, preventative medicine, nutrition, parasitology, weight management, surgery, ophthalmology….and so much more. The range of products on shelves and equipment in the treatment area and tools in the exam room that they need JUST TO OPEN THEIR DOORS is a staggering amount of money.
Clinics are paying for the physical space they’re in (and the soaring real estate/rental costs). Plus utilities. Then 10s of thousands of dollars of equipment. And thousands of dollars in inventory. Plus front end staff, veterinary technicians, and veterinarians. And on and on and on.
Listening to your veterinary team’s recommendations about preventative medicine can help keep your pet healthy and avoid big bills. Insurance may be a helpful way to manage the costs of veterinary care. Saving money in a pet fund may help you manage an unexpected expense. There are many ways to manage rising costs, blaming the veterinary team is not one of them.
We all love our pets SO MUCH and we all want the best for them. Your veterinary team are your partners in pet care, not your adversaries.
https://www.npr.org/2023/12/19/1220443869/why-suicide-rates-are-high-among-veterinary-professionals
https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Veterinarian/Salary
https://invested.mdm.ca/how-much-do-doctors-make-in-canada/#:~:text=How%20are%20physicians%20paid%3F,type%20of%20visit%20or%20procedure.
