Farmers treat livestock themselves as Lithuania faces vet shortage

Farmers in Lithuania are struggling to find veterinarians for large livestock, and some are treating animals themselves, LRT reports. The shortage is particularly acute in the regions, while difficult working conditions and lower pay may discourage young veterinarians from taking farm jobs.

Mantas Jančiukas, who runs a sheep farm near Marijampolė, said farmers often learn to handle routine animal care because veterinarians cannot be called out as frequently as needed. He said he would seek professional help for serious cases and for procedures requiring official veterinary documentation, such as when applying for compensation. He also questioned whether a veterinarian could reach a sheep needing a Caesarean section quickly, and how much the visit would cost.

Gretė Šiaulienė, owner of the Gyvūnėlių ūkis farm in Seda, said finding specialists for exotic animals in the regions is especially difficult. The town has two veterinarians, both older, and it is unclear who might replace them. She said farm staff have taken courses and earned certificates themselves, but local veterinarians mainly treat conventional farm animals and lack experience with alpacas and ostriches. Šiaulienė said there is only one veterinarian for alpacas in Lithuania, based in Kaunas.

Ramūnas Antanaitis, head of the Large Animal Clinic at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, warned farmers against treating animals themselves. He said veterinary treatment must be provided by a licensed practitioner and that self-treatment can cause harm. The clinic has encountered cases where it could no longer help because farmers had already attempted treatment, he said.

Antanaitis said farms seeking to attract veterinarians should invest in modern technology and make themselves more appealing to students. Farms that adopt innovations and provide young people with the tools they need may be less affected by the shortage, he said.

Some veterinary students said they plan to work with farm animals despite the physical demands. One student said she was drawn to treating horses and livestock because she would rather face physical fatigue than the psychological pressure that can come from working with pet owners. She said she was not deterred by rural work or smaller towns and valued their quieter pace.