Source: 8 News Now
Las Vegas faces a growing equine Veterinarian shortage, reflecting a nationwide crisis. With an estimated 34,100 domesticated horses in Nevada—many in the Las Vegas Valley—demand for care far outweighs supply. Currently, Desert Pines Equine, with only seven veterinarians and two interns, serves the entire region. The shortage stems from multiple factors: high veterinary school debt averaging nearly $180,000, lower starting salaries for equine vets compared to small-animal practitioners, and high burnout from physically demanding work and 24/7 on-call rotations.
Only 5% of Veterinary graduates pursue equine medicine, and half leave within five years. To address the gap, Desert Pines encourages young people to shadow veterinarians, while lawmakers approved $8 million in aid to reduce tuition costs for Nevada students studying veterinary medicine out of state. Advocates also push for a Veterinary college in Nevada, with Roseman University exploring a program. Desert Pines continues expanding services to meet demand, especially during major equine events like the National Finals Rodeo.