San Diego, California – A growing shortage of veterinarians in San Diego and across California is putting increased pressure on emergency animal hospitals and leaving many pets without the care they need. From rattlesnake bites to heatstroke, local veterinarians say they’re seeing more cases — and more preventable deaths — simply because there aren’t enough hands to help.
Dr. Leah Sauerwein, a veterinarian at the Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) in Oceanside, says spring has brought a sharp uptick in cases. “For our hospital, we did see about a 17% increase of cases just in the last week,” she said. “We are seeing more rattlesnake envenomations … and we’re definitely seeing an increase in heat stroke as we have more acute smooshy-faced friends like French bulldogs and bulldogs who are being more active in the warmer months.”
With VEG being one of the only 24/7 emergency animal hospitals in the North County area, the burden on its staff is intense. “We’re doing what we can, but we can’t be everywhere,” Sauerwein said. The issue isn’t unique to Oceanside — it’s statewide…