When we surveyed 763 veterinary professionals for our 2026 State of General Practice Veterinary Care Report, one theme came through as clear as day: general practice veterinarians are actively adjusting to an evolving veterinary industry.
Staffing pressures, rising client expectations, and emerging artificial intelligence (AI) tools are all part of daily life now. General practice teams are no longer debating whether change is happening; they’re figuring out how to work with it. These shifts reflect broader veterinary industry trends that are reshaping how care is delivered across the profession.
Technology Is Part of Everyday Veterinary Practice
Digital tools are no longer “new.” They’re part of how care gets delivered in today’s veterinary practice. Most practices are already operating with a strong digital foundation:
- 90% use digital diagnostic and imaging equipment
- 75% use digital client communication tools
- 91% changed or adopted at least one new technology in the past year
Time is tight. Teams are stretched. Technology is increasingly seen as a practical way to reduce administrative burden and protect time for patient care. Digital infrastructure isn’t optional for today’s general practice veterinarian — it’s foundational to daily veterinary practice operations.
AI Is Entering the Veterinary Workflow
AI is beginning to show up in general practice, particularly in documentation and diagnostic support (think ScribbleVet and similar software):
- 48% of practices report using AI in some capacity
- Among those using AI, nearly three-quarters report increased efficiency
- Medical record, SOAP creation, and diagnostic assistance are the most common use cases
At the same time, many practices are still evaluating where AI fits best within their veterinary practice model. Adoption is happening — but thoughtfully. As AI tools mature, they are becoming one of the most closely watched trends in the veterinary industry, particularly for how they affect workflow design and clinical efficiency.
Veterinary Staffing Is Top of Mind in General Practice
Morale in general practice is steadier than many assume, but that doesn’t mean staffing feels easy for general practice veterinarians.
Retention (especially among technicians and support staff) remains a challenge across the veterinary industry. Compensation plays a role, but it’s only part of the conversation. Flexibility, communication, growth opportunities, and operational support all influence whether someone chooses to stay. The workforce data highlights both stability and strain:
- 52% of practices did not experience significant turnover last year
- 30% reported losing nurses, technicians, or assistants
- 70% say better compensation would most improve retention
More veterinary practice leaders are thinking beyond hiring and asking how to build workplaces that feel sustainable in the long term.
Flexibility in Veterinary Medicine Is Becoming the Standard
Flexible scheduling is increasingly expected, both by new hires and existing team members. We’re seeing these structural shifts within the broader veterinary industry:
- Only 10% of practices still operate on a traditional fixed schedule
- 40% offer part-time roles
- 60% say staffing shortages limit their ability to offer more flexibility
It’s a balancing act — meeting team expectations while maintaining coverage and care standards. Flexibility is now one of the clearest trends in the veterinary industry, shaping workforce expectations.
What 2026 Really Signals for Veterinary Medicine
No single trend defines 2026. Instead, it’s the combination of steady technology adoption, early AI integration, workforce recalibration, and evolving workplace expectations. Together, these changes illustrate how general practice veterinarians are adapting to broader shifts in the veterinary industry.
The full 2026 State of General Practice Veterinary Care Report explores these developments in depth, including detailed data, emerging veterinary industry trends, and what they may mean for the year ahead.
