The spectrum of care is a veterinary framework that recognizes there is not just one “right” way to diagnose or treat a medical condition. Instead, it acknowledges a range of evidence-based options—from the most advanced, resource-intensive interventions to more pragmatic, lower-cost approaches—that can all support acceptable animal health outcomes. By embracing flexibility rather than a single gold-standard expectation, the spectrum of care emphasizes tailoring treatment plans to the animal’s needs and the client’s circumstances.

In community animal medicine across Canada, this model is increasingly vital. The country’s diverse geography and population mean that access to veterinary services is uneven, particularly in rural, northern, and Indigenous communities. For many families, financial, transportation, or infrastructure barriers make gold-standard care unrealistic. The spectrum-of-care approach allows veterinarians to meet clients where they are, offering a medically sound range of diagnostic and treatment pathways that remain practical, affordable, and compassionate.

This framework also strengthens public health and animal welfare. By keeping preventive care—such as vaccinations, parasite control, sterilization, and nutrition counselling—within reach, clinics can reduce disease transmission, support responsible pet ownership, and improve long-term outcomes for both animals and the people who rely on them. When clients are supported rather than stigmatized for their constraints, they are more likely to seek care early and maintain ongoing veterinary relationships.

Importantly, the spectrum of care reduces the risk of unnecessary relinquishment or euthanasia due solely to financial limitations. It helps veterinary teams provide equitable and sustainable community medicine, ensuring that animals receive meaningful care even when ideal resources are unavailable. As demand for veterinary services grows across Canada, the spectrum-of-care model remains crucial in delivering inclusive, ethical, and realistic approaches to animal health.

Read more about Spectrum of Care in the CASCMA blog, here.