Access to veterinary care for farm animals varies dramatically by species, production system, and geography, creating significant welfare gaps in many contexts.
The welfare gap in veterinary access between companion animals and farm animals reflects economic rather than ethical prioritisation. Farm animals experience disease, injury, and pain at significant rates, and many conditions that would receive prompt treatment in companion animals are either untreated or treated after long delays in farm contexts. This is both a welfare problem and a public health risk, as untreated animal disease can drive antibiotic overuse and zoonotic disease emergence. Investment in affordable farm veterinary access through government support, telemedicine, and farmer training is among the highest-impact welfare policy interventions available.