John Lofflin

One yellow tabby named Darwin will not soon be forgotten by anyone who knows his story. In April 2004, this 9-lb cat was presented DOA to Brooklyn, N.Y., emergency veterinarian Brett Levitzke. Dr. Levitzke knew immediately that Darwin had died as a result of trauma. "I took the woman who brought Darwin in aside and asked her what had happened," he says. "She said her daughter's fiancé had beaten the cat. I told her that I take this very seriously and that I would get law enforcement involved. She said, 'OK, I want this guy prosecuted.'"

In the next five years, you'll see bigger practices, more referral and specialty hospitals, more women in practice, and better-integrated technologies. And all these changes will influence your work.

Favoritism, morale problems, unbearable associates–sometimes the doctor just doesn't see the issue. Use these strategies to clean off the doctor's rose-colored glasses, without making him or her mad.

For the 30 years I've been a veterinarian, I've heard we don't have too few doctors; we have too many veterinary hospitals," says Dr. Dennis Cloud, owner of Cloud Veterinary Center in St. Louis, Mo., and a Veterinary Economics Editorial Advisory Board member. While dramatic change is never an overnight event, the winds are blowing; Dr. Cloud's sentiments echo those of many in the veterinary profession, spurring the question: What practice models will define the future of the profession?

By 2010, almost 40 million Americans will be 65 years old or older. Are you prepared to meet the needs of these clients?

The conflict over who should develop an associate's client base runs deep. To find a solution, you'll need to discuss the issues openly, clarify your expectations, and find the middle ground.