Illinois veterinarian Dr. Phillip Kapraun has more than 35 years treating horses, specifically racehorses. Known as a pioneer for treating tendon issues, Dr. Phillip Kapraun is one of a dwindling number of veterinarians with a private practice.

1. Trends in Veterinary
Practices
Phillip Kapraun

2. Introduction
• Illinois veterinarian Dr. Phillip Kapraun has more than 35 years treating
horses, specifically racehorses. Known as a pioneer for treating tendon
issues, Dr. Phillip Kapraun is one of a dwindling number of veterinarians
with a private practice.
Current trends in veterinary practice reveal that more practices are
going corporate, and at the same time, rural practices are struggling to
remain afloat. Mars and National Veterinary Associates are two of the
more prominent conglomerates overtaking the industry.
As larger conglomerates become more prominent, rural veterinarian
practices are waning. The on-call duties of such a clinic can be
overwhelming to a practitioner. Also, most rural farmers need vets who
can treat livestock rather than a small-town vet clinic that provides
multiple services. Finally, practitioners facing student debt are not going
to want to work in rural areas for a lower salary, even if the thought of
being a country vet is romantic.