Veterinary Industry Summary: November 3–9, 2024
Stats from the Veterinary Industry Tracker powered by Vetsource and AVMA
November 3–9, 2024
Voters in Colorado have approved the state’s Proposition 129, a ballot measure authorizing the addition of a new mid-level practitioner role called a veterinary professional associate (VPA). Colorado is the first state to approve the creation of a mid-level practitioner role in veterinary medicine, something that could “fundamentally reshape the profession in the state and inspire others to follow,” according to VIN News Service.
The AP projected last week that the veterinary industry measure would pass, with a 50% majority vote required. As of Tuesday, November 12, 95% of the vote had been counted, with 1,538,616 (52.7%) “yes” votes and 1,380,834 (47.3%) “no” votes.
Under Proposition 129, a VPA will be required to earn a master’s degree in veterinary clinical care, and the Colorado Veterinary Medical Board may determine additional qualifications and training requirements. The full scope of practice and level of supervision required for VPAs may also be determined by the state board.
Much of the veterinary establishment, including AVMA, AAHA, and others, opposed the measure, saying it would put animals at risk and devalue veterinarians. Opponents argued that veterinary technicians and veterinary technician specialists should instead be utilized to the fullest extent.
Those in favor of the proposition, which was spearheaded by the Dumb Friends League, Colorado’s largest animal welfare organization, argued that VPAs will be similar to physician assistants in human medicine and will allow veterinarians to delegate less complex cases and tasks, thereby improving access to care and veterinary professional well-being.
Read the full text of Colorado Proposition 129.
Check out the Veterinary Industry Tracker for daily stats.
| +0.6% Revenue YoY (Last Week) |
-3.4% Visits YoY (Last Week) |
Year-over-year veterinary industry revenue was flat last week at 0.6%, a fall from the previous week’s 1.7%. Visits dropped from -2.8% to -3.4%.
 -6.0%Heartworm YoY |
-2.3% Flea/Tick YoY |
 +1.2%Services YoY |
-1.5% Products YoY |
Year-over-year parasiticide purchases remained in negative territory last week. With heartworm at -6.0% and flea/tick at -2.3%, both numbers improved compared to -9.3% and -6.2% respectively the week prior. Service revenue was 1.2%, a decline from the previous week’s 3.0%, and product revenue improved slightly from -2.4% to -1.5%.
| +3.2% Revenue YoY (Last 12 Months) |
-2.4% Visits YoY (Last 12 Months) |
The rolling 14-day trendline showed revenue and visits dropping slightly since late October.
| 5,560 Practices |
2.2M Revenue per Practice (Last 12 Months) |
10.4K Visits per Practice (Last 12 Months) |
Colorado saw the highest year-over-year revenue growth last week at 7.2%, while Minnesota was the only state to see positive year-over-year visits growth at 0.4%.
*Numbers are subject to change based on data availability and PIMS adjustments.
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