Having spent over a decade in veterinary practice, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the lines between small animal medicine and agricultural veterinary work have become increasingly interconnected. While 77 percent of veterinarians focus on small animals like dogs and cats, our role extends far beyond the walls of urban clinics. The AVMA reported in 2012 that even practitioners primarily working with companion animals play a crucial role in the broader food supply chain and public health system.
The connection becomes clearer when we consider how population medicine principles apply across all veterinary sectors. Whether managing herds of cattle or monitoring outbreaks in rescue facilities, we’re essentially protecting immune systems of both young and old animals. Our work at spay-neuter clinics and humane organizations directly impacts animal welfare, which parallels the concerns in production animals raised for eggs, milk, meat, wool, and other fiber products.
What many don’t realize is that small animal veterinarians serve as crucial sentinels for major animal diseases that could devastate farms and international trade. Diseases like foot and mouth disease (FMD), classical swine fever (CSF), and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) don’t discriminate between pet or farm animals. This is why organizations like the Sector Coordinating Council (SCC) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) work closely with veterinarians through the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) to protect our Food and Agriculture Sector.
My journey from veterinary school to practicing in suburban areas similar to suburban Long Island has shown me that whether we’re treating ailments in flocks of backyard chickens or monitoring pregnant pets, we’re all part of the same mission to safeguard health and support the food supply from farm to dinner table. The principles of FSVM apply universally, especially when considering immunosuppressed animals that require special attention in any setting.
