The third major trend we're seeing that is responsible for increasing veterinary fees is the increase in specialization.

This trend is really tied to the first one we mentioned several weeks back regarding the high cost of getting a veterinary education. The veterinary student graduating today has enormous
student loan debt to repay once he/she walks across that stage. As a result, more of them are pursuing further education to increase their potential earning power in the veterinary field.

In fact, a recent study revealed that over 40% of new graduates last year did
just that. In other words, the days of the general veterinary practitioner "doing it all" are just about over.

As you can imagine, board-certified specialists command much higher fees than do general veterinary practitioners, allowing them to pay off those debts much sooner.  While there is certainly nothing wrong with charging for such specialization, I fear that the higher
fees will financially exclude a significant portion of the pet owning population from important veterinary services.

For example, a decade ago, a torn knee ligament in a dog cost several hundreds of dollars to repair. Today, that same surgery can cost in the thousands. Ouch! But can't general practitioners still perform knee surgeries on dogs? Sure they can, but more are inclined to refer
to specialists these days.

Fear of malpractice may be one reason. But probably the biggest reason is that younger practitioners often leave veterinary school lacking the skills and experience needed to perform advanced diagnostic, medical, and surgical procedures (like cruciate repairs). As a result, it's easier (and much less stressful) to refer to a specialist who already possesses such skills and experience.

And that's precisely the trend we're seeing.

Good news! A study just published in the January 15, 2010 issue of the AVMA Journal found no significant correlation with glucosamine-chondroitin supplementation and fluctuations in blood sugar levels or fructosamine levels (an elevated fructosamine level is an indicator of diabetes mellitus).

In other words, it appears as though arthritic dogs suffering from diabetes or those that are borderline diabetics can benefit from these supplements without affecting their blood sugar levels. As always, though, check with your veterinarian before starting your pet on glucosamine or any other over-the-counter supplement. There may be better and more effective alternatives available.