Veterinary telemedicine expands in Yukon amid service shortage

As a shortage in veterinary services continues in the Yukon, another virtual care option has been made available to residents and their animals.

The Ontario-based VETSon connects farmers to vets through an online platform, and it is expanding into the Yukon, adding to a number of online animal care options already available in the territory.

However, those involved, as well as outside experts, agree that there are limits to the services.

Colin Yates, co-founder of VETSon, said that in a perfect world, telemedicine "is supplemental, but the reality is there's not enough veterinarians, especially in very rural areas."

Tracy Fisher, president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, said telehealth shouldn't be overly relied on.

"There is only so much you can do over the phone and with a phone call. And also because my patients can't speak, then that also really limits me a bit," Fisher said.

Acting chief veterinary officer at Yukon Government's animal health unit, Michelle Thompson, said the demand for veterinary services has been increasing at a national level, not just in the Yukon.

The efficacy of telehealth solutions, she said, "comes down to the individual situation and, and the relationship that the client has with their veterinarian."

Multiple solutions necessary

Fisher said a few long-standing factors have led to the Canada-wide vet shortage. These include not graduating enough veterinary doctors to account for population growth, the recent retirements of many veterinarians, as well as the increase in demand for pets and associated services since the pandemic began in March 2020.

Fisher says there has been some movement nationally to increase the number of allocated seats for veterinary students at the five schools where you can study to become a veterinarian. Even with these changes, given training time, Fisher said, the shortage is forecasted to be an issue until 2031.

"It's going to be a while and we're doing the best that we can," she said.

Another solution currently in the works, Fisher said, is better professional integration for foreign-trained veterinarians. This includes setting up a testing centre in Saskatoon to clear the backlog of candidates.

"For the foreseeable future, immigration is going to have to be part of our solution … but it's not going to get better overnight," Fisher said.

WATCH: Farmer gets assistance delivering calf

Here's what a Yukon farmer did when faced with a risky cow birth and no vet

7 months ago

Duration 1:00

A vet shortage in the Yukon means animal owners need to get creative when faced with an emergency. And that's what happened last week in Haines Junction when a farmer was struggling to deliver a calf and the closest vet was busy in Whitehorse. Meribeth Deen has the story.