CVMA president Trevor Lawson highlighted the broader issue of limited access to veterinary care in rural areas.

As of Aug. 1, South Shore Veterinary Hospital in Wileville, N.S., will discontinue its clinic and farm-call services for livestock, including cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, and goats. On Aug. 16, equine veterinary care services will be suspended as well. The substantial cutbacks have raised concern among local farmers and horse owners.

A recent statement posted on the clinic’s Facebook page announced the decision, citing staffing issues as the primary reason for the suspension of services. “It is our intent to resume Equine Services as soon as staffing permits, however, we will not be resuming Livestock services,” the statement confirmed. During the discontinuation of equine services, South Shore Veterinary Hospital suggests horse owners seek care at Avon Animal Hospital in Windsor, N.S.

In conversation with CBC News, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) president Trevor Lawson, DVM, highlighted the broader issue of limited access to veterinary care in rural areas. He explained new veterinary graduates tend to prefer working in urban settings with smaller animals, exacerbating the shortages of rural veterinary services. “It’s a pretty challenging work environment,” he says. “Balancing family obligations and family life with that work requirement can be quite challenging.”

While the CVMA is implementing a series of programs and measures to improve mental health and wellness among the veterinary community, the current reductions in services places further burden on other veterinary clinics. Lawson says, “The reality is they’re already quite busy.”