Originally Published in: Observer
Published on: May 20, 2025
Written By: Dr. Eleanor Green
Texas veterinarians are struggling under the weight of rising demand, ER backlogs and a shrinking workforce. Pending legislation offers a chance to embrace telemedicine and expand access across the state.
Veterinary medicine is transforming, not only in how care is delivered, but in how veterinarians practice. The demands on the profession have never been greater, with clinics overburdened, emergency centers overwhelmed and not enough veterinarians to meet rising demand. Texas, like much of the country, faces a critical veterinary shortage, and if we don’t embrace solutions that maximize our workforce, access to care will continue to decline.
One of the most effective ways to address this challenge is to modernize Texas’ outdated laws on veterinary telemedicine. Telemedicine is not a replacement for in-person care—it is a tool that expands how and when veterinarians can serve patients. It provides flexibility for veterinarians who want to practice in a way that fits their skills, lifestyle and patient needs while ensuring that animals receive timely medical attention. Many states have already embraced telemedicine, but Texas has not.
The veterinary profession has changed significantly in recent years. Today, pet ownership is at an all-time high, with nearly 60 percent of households owning at least one pet; yet there aren’t enough veterinarians to meet demand. Texas scores only 36 out of 100 in veterinary accessibility, when looking at issues like income, transportation, language and number of veterinary hospitals—with many rural counties lacking even a single veterinarian. Veterinary ERs are overcrowded, general practice vets have weeks-long waitlists and burnout is driving professionals out of the field entirely. The weight of these challenges falls directly on veterinarians, whose workloads have become unsustainable. The system simply cannot continue operating the way it has been.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Cara Gustafson at 561-797-8267 or [email protected].