In this episode of Diagnostic Tails: Animal Imaging Uncovered, Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays address growing public mistrust toward veterinarians following a high-profile media interview that portrayed veterinary medicine as profit-driven, cartel-controlled, and harmful to pets.

Drawing on decades of real-world clinical experience, the doctors unpack the true drivers behind rising veterinary costs, including medical inflation, shared supply chains with human medicine, staffing realities, and the crushing burden of veterinary education debt. They explain why comparisons to human healthcare costs are often misleading, how private equity can both help and harm depending on structure, and why veterinarians are leaving the profession at alarming rates.

The episode also explores telemedicine limitations, the misunderstood value of hands-on physical exams, the emotional toll placed on veterinarians by public misinformation, and the danger of narratives that suggest veterinarians are “in it for the money.” The conversation closes with practical, preventative guidance for pet owners and a call for empathy, realism, and partnership in modern veterinary care.

Key Takeaways

1. Rising Veterinary Costs Reflect Medical Inflation

1. Veterinary medicine relies on the same drugs, equipment, and suppliers as human healthcare.
2. Costs have risen approximately 42% since 2019, largely due to supply chain inflation and limited buying power for independent clinics.

2. Veterinarians Are Not Overcompensated

1. The average veterinarian salary (~$125,000) must be weighed against $185,000–$250,000+ in student debt.
2. Veterinarians earn significantly less than physicians with comparable training length and responsibility.

3. Burnout Is Driving the Veterinary Shortage

1. The shortage is caused largely by attrition, not lack of graduates.
2. Long hours, emotional strain, online harassment, and financial pressure are forcing veterinarians out of the field.
3. Veterinarians have one of the highest suicide rates of any profession.

4. Telemedicine Has Real Limits in Veterinary Care

1. Veterinary medicine is deeply tactile and observational—touch, smell, sound, and movement matter.
2. Telemedicine is most effective within an existing veterinarian-client-patient relationship, not as a replacement for exams.

5. Private Equity Is Complex, Not Inherently Harmful

1. While not without flaws, responsible private equity can improve benefits, staffing stability, and access to advanced care.
2. Many veterinarians no longer want to own practices, and PE can provide sustainable transition options.

6. Preventative Care Extends Life and Improves Quality

In this episode of Diagnostic Tails: Animal Imaging's Uncovered, Dr. Amy Armentrout, Dr. Lon Hays, and veterinary technician Mia Loredo pull back the curtain on what truly makes Animal Imaging different: culture as a clinical strategy.

Through real stories, humor, and hard-earned insight, the team explains how a people-first workplace directly supports better diagnostics, stronger clinical decision-making, and improved patient outcomes. From technician-led case ownership and cross-training across modalities to tackling high-risk imaging cases others turn away, this conversation highlights how trust, education, and psychological safety elevate veterinary medicine.

They also address the emotional weight of referral-level imaging, the realities of high-stakes anesthesia, and why fun, boundaries, and shared values are not “extras” but essential tools for longevity in veterinary medicine. The result is a candid, thoughtful look at how intentional culture fuels excellence in advanced veterinary imaging.

00:00 – 01:15

Welcome

01:15 – 03:00

Purpose, mission, and why employees come first at Animal Imaging

03:00 – 05:00

Technician autonomy, case ownership, and shared leadership on the floor

05:00 – 07:30

Trust, teamwork, and running multiple imaging modalities under pressure

07:30 – 09:45

Cross-training, education, and building a resilient, highly skilled team

09:45 – 12:30

Low turnover, hiring for values, and why culture is treated as a business model

12:30 – 15:30

Referral-level medicine: complex anesthesia, unstable patients, and high-risk imaging

15:30 – 17:45

Taking on cases others won’t—and why answers matter more than comfort

17:45 – 20:30

Social media, humor, and giving the team creative ownership beyond the clinic

20:30 – 23:45

Mental health in veterinary medicine and the role of levity and boundaries

23:45 – 26:30

Advice for leaders: education, trust, and avoiding micromanagement

26:30 – 29:30

Retention, growth paths, and supporting team members as they advance

29:30 – 32:55

Tail-end tips: revisiting core values, communication styles, and leading with care

Culture drives clinical outcomes

• When technicians are trusted, educated, and supported, decision-making improves—and so does patient care.

Technician autonomy matters

• Allowing techs to lead cases, manage modalities, and make real-time decisions builds confidence and excellence.

Hire for values, train for skills

• Technical skills can be taught; integrity, curiosity, and teamwork cannot.

Advanced imaging requires trust

• High-risk anesthesia and unstable patients demand strong communication and shared responsibility.

Education fuels retention

• Investing in CE and implementing what staff bring back keeps teams engaged and growing.

Fun is not frivolous

• Appropriate humor and connection are essential coping tools in a field that regularly delivers hard news.

Leadership is about letting go

• Micromanagement erodes culture; trust and accountability sustain it.

Animal Imaging Veterinary Radiology Specialists

https://animalimaging.net/

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In this episode of Diagnostic Tails, Dr. Amy Armentrout, Dr. Lon Hays, and veterinary technician Hannah pull back the curtain on how referral systems really work and why effective communication between clinics and specialty teams directly impacts patient care.

From scheduling a CT or thyroid scan to managing urgent same-day cases, the Animal Imaging team explains how they act as an extension of general practice, supporting veterinarians with timely diagnostics while protecting client relationships. You’ll learn what makes a complete referral form, how to avoid common stumbling blocks, and why a simple phone call can save valuable time for pets, owners, and practitioners alike.

Blending humor, relatable stories, and practical guidance, this conversation reveals the often-unseen systems that keep advanced veterinary imaging running smoothly.

Timestamps & Highlights

[00:00:00] Welcome to Diagnostic Tails – introducing the focus on real-world imaging stories and advanced technologies.

[00:01:00] Meet the hosts and guest Hannah; quick background on Animal Imaging’s role as a referral-only diagnostic center.

[00:02:45] Dr. Hays’ journey from small-animal practice owner to imaging expert.

[00:04:00] Why Animal Imaging only accepts cases through veterinarian referrals and how that protects continuity of care.

[00:05:00] Step-by-step: how to submit a referral through the online portal or by phone/fax for equine and small-animal cases.

[00:06:30] The technician’s role in reviewing records, verifying lab work, and prepping for approval.

[00:09:00] Common issues: missing lab work, unclear case details, and how better info speeds up scheduling.

[00:11:00] Importance of clear communication when patients are under anesthesia—why rapid doctor-to-doctor contact matters.

[00:13:00] The challenge of reaching busy general practitioners and tips for training front-desk staff to route calls.

[00:15:30] How to streamline medical records—send only relevant, recent information to prevent delays.

[00:17:30] Notable red flags: heart murmurs, kidney disease, and behavioral notes that affect anesthesia plans.

[00:19:30] Time-sensitive procedures like thyroid scans—why punctuality is critical when handling nuclear medicine.

[00:21:00] The balance between client education and respecting the referring veterinarian’s relationship.

[00:22:30] Handling urgent cases and same-day scheduling—how direct communication ensures fast care.

[00:24:00] Funny and “lost in translation” moments from referral forms—when “spicy” cats, “tummies,” and “grumpy old ladies” show up on submissions.

[00:26:00] Why temperament and owner notes help create safer, smoother imaging days.

[00:28:00] Emergency examples—how picking up the phone leads to faster solutions.

[00:31:00] Encouraging veterinarians to understand all imaging options—from MRIs to bone scans.

[00:32:00] The importance of recent bloodwork and chest x-rays before anesthesia—and what happens when results reveal surprises.

[00:33:30] Balancing affordability with advanced care—why Animal Imaging works to keep costs competitive.

[00:36:00] Storytime: unexpected foreign bodies and the “miracle dog” Darby’s imaging surprise.

[00:37:20] Closing invitation: students, technicians, and veterinarians are welcome to tour the facility and learn about imaging careers.

Key Takeaways

• Referrals Protect Patients & Practices Animal Imaging is referral-only to maintain continuity of care, ensuring diagnostics support—not replace—primary veterinarians.
• Communication Is Critical When time matters, a quick phone call between doctors can mean same-day answers instead of costly delays.
• Efficiency Through Collaboration Clear instructions, pre-visit sedation plans (for