Veterinary surveys show AI gains, but staffing strain remains

Veterinary practices are adopting digital tools faster than many expected, according to new 2026 surveys from Instinct Science covering both general practice and specialty, emergency, and urgent care settings. In general practice, 91% of clinics said they adopted or changed at least one technology in the past year, and nearly half reported using AI tools, mainly for medical records, SOAP notes, and administrative support. In specialty and emergency settings, respondents linked newer tools such as digital treatment sheets, cloud-based practice management systems, and AI scribes to gains in efficiency, patient care, and error reduction. At the same time, staffing pressure hasn’t eased: 85% of specialty and emergency respondents still cited staffing shortages as their top challenge, while general practice teams reported growing expectations around flexible scheduling and retention. (globenewswire.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the surveys suggest AI and workflow technology are moving from experimentation into routine operations, especially around documentation and coordination. That aligns with prior industry signals: an AAHA/Digitail survey highlighted that nearly 40% of veterinary professionals were already using AI tools in 2024, and AVMA data show most practice owners believe the pace of digital transformation is about right, even as some say time and cost still slow adoption. The takeaway for clinics is practical, not theoretical: technology may help relieve administrative burden and support retention, but it isn’t solving the workforce gap on its own. (aaha.org)

What to watch: Expect more scrutiny of which tools actually improve workflow, retention, and revenue as practices weigh AI adoption against persistent staffing shortages and client affordability pressures. (globenewswire.com)