This week on Doctor Molly Says, we're diving into one of the biggest conversations happening in veterinary medicine right now: corporate ownership of veterinary practices.
If you've seen posts claiming that "Wall Street owns your vet," or wondered why veterinary care seems to be getting more expensive every year, this episode is for you. This isn't a simple issue, and I wanted to share the perspective of someone who's worked in both corporate and privately owned practices.
We start by talking about what private equity actually is, why investors have become so interested in veterinary medicine, and how corporate buyouts have changed the landscape of the profession. I also explain why I think the conversation online is missing some really important context—and why your veterinarian is almost never the villain in this story.
Then we talk about older generations of practice owners, why veterinary care was historically underpriced, how better equipment and better pay for staff have changed the cost of running a clinic, and why some price increases were honestly inevitable.
If you've ever wondered why vet bills have gotten more expensive, whether corporate practices are "bad," or what the future of veterinary medicine might look like, I hope this episode gives you some clarity.
LOVE YOU GUYS 💛
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Welcome back + Why we're talking about corporate veterinary medicine
00:02:26 What private equity is (and why it's buying veterinary practices)
00:05:30 Corporate medicine vs. private practice: what's the real concern?
00:07:34 How we got here: the history behind today's veterinary industry
00:12:27 Why veterinary costs have increased over the years
00:15:17 What actually happens after a practice is bought out
00:20:02 Why I'm hopeful about the future of private practice
00:23:29 How pet owners can support independent veterinary clinics
00:25:25 The hidden cost of unhealthy dog breeds
00:31:37 Final thoughts + What comes next
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Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:
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https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028
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