In this episode of Diagnostic Tails: Animal Imaging Uncovered, Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays address growing public mistrust toward veterinarians following a high-profile media interview that portrayed veterinary medicine as profit-driven, cartel-controlled, and harmful to pets.

Drawing on decades of real-world clinical experience, the doctors unpack the true drivers behind rising veterinary costs, including medical inflation, shared supply chains with human medicine, staffing realities, and the crushing burden of veterinary education debt. They explain why comparisons to human healthcare costs are often misleading, how private equity can both help and harm depending on structure, and why veterinarians are leaving the profession at alarming rates.

The episode also explores telemedicine limitations, the misunderstood value of hands-on physical exams, the emotional toll placed on veterinarians by public misinformation, and the danger of narratives that suggest veterinarians are “in it for the money.” The conversation closes with practical, preventative guidance for pet owners and a call for empathy, realism, and partnership in modern veterinary care.

Key Takeaways

1. Rising Veterinary Costs Reflect Medical Inflation

1. Veterinary medicine relies on the same drugs, equipment, and suppliers as human healthcare.
2. Costs have risen approximately 42% since 2019, largely due to supply chain inflation and limited buying power for independent clinics.

2. Veterinarians Are Not Overcompensated

1. The average veterinarian salary (~$125,000) must be weighed against $185,000–$250,000+ in student debt.
2. Veterinarians earn significantly less than physicians with comparable training length and responsibility.

3. Burnout Is Driving the Veterinary Shortage

1. The shortage is caused largely by attrition, not lack of graduates.
2. Long hours, emotional strain, online harassment, and financial pressure are forcing veterinarians out of the field.
3. Veterinarians have one of the highest suicide rates of any profession.

4. Telemedicine Has Real Limits in Veterinary Care

1. Veterinary medicine is deeply tactile and observational—touch, smell, sound, and movement matter.
2. Telemedicine is most effective within an existing veterinarian-client-patient relationship, not as a replacement for exams.

5. Private Equity Is Complex, Not Inherently Harmful

1. While not without flaws, responsible private equity can improve benefits, staffing stability, and access to advanced care.
2. Many veterinarians no longer want to own practices, and PE can provide sustainable transition options.

6. Preventative Care Extends Life and Improves Quality