Northern farmers feeling effects of veterinarian shortage
Northern veterinarians are stretched thin by a lack of resources in the region, which farmers in the region say has them waiting weeks to see veterinarians who specialize in large animals.
The owner of Rubber Boots Farm in Timmins, Marcel Forget, said he's felt the impact after only three years in operation.
"Either there isn't a specialist for that particular type of animal (in town) or you have to call from out of town and either bring the animal to them or wait for them to come to you," said Forget, who's spent weeks trying to get a diagnosis for one of his pigs.
He's hoping a veterinarian will be able to visit Timmins in a couple of weeks. Forget said he doesn't blame the vets themselves for the delays, but the overall shortage.
One vet in New Liskeard, Dr. Connie Dancho, said four specialized veterinarians travel up to two hours in any direction to treat farm animals. There are instances, she said, where they'll have to turn away farmers due to poor weather or a lack of available professionals.
Moreover, once her veterinarians lug their mobile healthcare equipment to northern farmers, especially in the winter, there's often a lack of warm facilities in which to perform births or surgeries.
"(There aren't) any handling facilities, so that they could actually catch these animals and help us restrain these animals, so that we can give them the proper attention," said Dancho.
"During emergency service, when we don't have another veterinarian to call upon, we ask them to consider bringing (animals) down here. The problem here is that we don't have an actual place that has good facilities that we could bring cattle or horses down to."
New funding program offers some relief
New joint funding from the federal and provincial governments is hoping to help with that, by spending up to $4 million on a 'Livestock Veterinary Innovation Initiative.'
Announced on Wednesday, the funding would be available to veterinary businesses to use on projects like virtual care and telemedicine, portable livestock handling equipment and additional training for veterinarians.
Dancho said that would certainly be useful for existing veterinarians in the region, but said what people especially need is more professionals around the north to treat farm animals.
Until more veterinarians can be attracted north, Forget said he and his fellow farmers try to support each other as much as possible.
"You need to either know how to deal with (your animals) or call your neighbour who's been doing this for 60 years and maybe they can help you or you have to wait," Forget said.'
"So, it's call your friends first and then call the vet."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.