WASHINGTON, March 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has posted its most recent membership data on www.avma.org, revealing a number of interesting trends in veterinary medicine and pet care.

For example, new AVMA data shows that veterinarians are increasingly seeking board certification as specialists, a trend that is in direct response to a demand for a higher level of care by pet owners.  Statistics from specialty colleges show that there were 9,826 active board-certified diplomates in 2009, a 15.46 percent increase in veterinary specialists from 2006.  Even more striking, the number of specialists in the internal medicine specialty went up by more than 11 percent in just one year, from 2008 to 2009.

"The increasing demand for veterinary specialists is something that we've known was happening for some time, but this data helps us understand and track this trend," explains Dr. Larry R. Corry, president of the AVMA.  "As the human-animal bond continues to grow, veterinarians are being asked by pet owners to provide increasingly advanced treatments, and this is driving them into specialties like internal medicine, neurology and oncology."

"The AVMA is constantly conducting research and compiling data about our profession and our members as a means of giving us a better understanding of how we can serve their needs," Dr. Corry continues.

The latest data shows that there are now 80,825 members of the AVMA, more than ever before, and that, for the first time in history, there are more female than male veterinarians.  The tipping point came in 2009, when, according to AVMA data, female veterinarians (44,802) surpassed the total number of male veterinarians (43,196).  In 2008, men had still outnumbered women in the profession.

"About three years ago, based on our ongoing research, we were able to predict that women would soon outnumber men in the veterinary profession," explains Allison Shepherd, AVMA senior manager of marketing research in the Communications Division.  "We conduct and collect an enormous amount data that we are continually mining for trends and insights.  We understand that our data and other resources are useful and interesting to our members, the media and the general public.  As a result, we make these statistics available, free of charge, on our Web site."

For more information on AVMA's latest membership data and to review a compilation of data from recognized veterinary specialty organizations, visit the AVMA Web site at: http://www.avma.org/reference/marketstats/usvets.asp; http://www.avma.org/reference/marketstats/membership.asp; and/or http://www.avma.org/reference/marketstats/vetspec.asp.  For any other information about veterinary medicine, please visit www.avma.org.

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 80,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. AVMA members are dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine including its relationship to public health and agriculture. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care and to access up-to-date information on the association's issues, policies and activities.

SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association

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