Veterinary surgeries by sector

The number of veterinary surgeries is a factor which has a direct effect on the number of potential employers for veterinary assistants. The sector of activity will determine the number of veterinary assistants they are likely to employ. It can be assumed that surgeries treating pets have a higher potential for employing veterinary assistants than mixed practice surgeries, due to the nature of daily care for the animals. Mixed practices are often situated in rural zones and employ less assistants as the work is more complex, necessitating a degree in veterinary medicine. The following figures are presented as absolute and percentage values for comparisons to be made between countries.

Analysis of the figures for the total number of veterinary surgeries shows that the country with the most veterinary surgeries is Spain with 6000. In France and Spain, the number of veterinary surgeries is almost 5000, with 3650 in the United Kingdom. Considering the number of cats and dogs in this country, it would appear that the availability of veterinary treatment is more concentrated.

Next are countries like Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia with a situation comparable to that in Romania. The % of mixed practice surgeries is also greater than the % of surgeries veterinary practices specialising in pets.

Denmark and Finland are an intermediary group from the point of view of the type of veterinary practices found, between highly urbanised countries (France, Spain, the United Kingdom) and more rural countries (Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia). An average proportion of 50% of mixed practice surgeries and pet surgeries is found in Denmark and Finland.

Finally there are very few veterinary surgeries in Slovenia.