Missing veterinary skills

Inadequate veterinary training

Nature

Missing veterinary skills refer to the gap between the competencies required in veterinary practice and those possessed by current professionals or graduates. This problem affects animal health, public safety, and the effectiveness of veterinary services. Contributing factors include outdated curricula, insufficient practical training, and rapid advancements in veterinary medicine. The shortage of essential skills—such as diagnostic techniques, surgical procedures, and communication—can lead to misdiagnosis, inadequate treatment, and reduced client trust. Addressing missing veterinary skills is crucial for maintaining high standards of animal care and meeting the evolving demands of the veterinary profession.

Background

The global significance of missing veterinary skills emerged in the late 20th century, as outbreaks of zoonotic diseases and livestock epidemics exposed critical gaps in animal health expertise, particularly in developing regions. International organizations, such as the OIE and FAO, began documenting shortages and skill mismatches, highlighting their impact on food security, public health, and economic stability. Subsequent studies underscored the persistent and evolving nature of these deficiencies amid changing agricultural and disease landscapes.

Incidence

The shortage of essential veterinary skills is a growing concern in both developed and developing regions, affecting livestock health, food security, and public health. Rural and remote areas are particularly impacted, with insufficient numbers of trained veterinarians to address disease outbreaks, animal welfare, and zoonotic threats. This global gap undermines agricultural productivity and hampers efforts to control transboundary animal diseases.
In 2022, the United Kingdom experienced a significant shortage of large-animal veterinarians, especially in rural communities. This deficit led to delayed disease detection and compromised animal welfare, prompting the British Veterinary Association to call for urgent policy interventions.

Claim

The shortage of essential veterinary skills is a critical crisis that threatens animal welfare, food security, and public health. Without skilled veterinarians, animals suffer needlessly, zoonotic diseases go unchecked, and agricultural productivity plummets. This alarming gap undermines our entire ecosystem and demands urgent action from educational institutions, governments, and industry leaders. Ignoring this problem is reckless and irresponsible—our society cannot afford to overlook the dire consequences of missing veterinary expertise.

Counter-claim

The so-called “missing veterinary skills” issue is vastly overstated. Modern veterinary education is comprehensive, and most practitioners are highly competent. The real challenges in animal care stem from underfunding and lack of public awareness, not skill gaps. Focusing on “missing skills” distracts from genuine issues and unfairly undermines dedicated professionals. Let’s stop manufacturing problems where none exist and instead support veterinarians in the excellent work they already do.