Staffing shortages, financial stress, and changing client behavior are reshaping the veterinary industry in ways that can’t be ignored. To make sense of these challenges and where the opportunities lie, we’re joined by someone who has seen both sides of the profession in the clinic and in industry leadership. That’s where today’s guest comes in. Dr. Meg Conlon is the Executive Director of Professional Services at Merck Animal Health, but her path here wasn’t a straight line. She started out in government communications, went back to school to earn her DVM at Virginia Tech, spent time in a mixed animal practice, and later worked with Novartis, Elanco, and Idex before stepping into her current role at Merck. She now leads multiple teams that support veterinarians through education, research, and client-facing initiatives. In this episode, Dr. Conlon talks about new data on parasite prevention, the ongoing challenge of burnout and financial stress among veterinary staff, and what Merck is learning from industry-wide research. We also dive into how economic pressures are shaping pet owner choices and why collaboration, innovation, and practical tools are so important for moving the profession forward. Show Notes: [02:09] Meg explains her role leading multiple professional services teams and how they support veterinarians. [03:09] She describes how these teams create educational resources, conduct studies, and consult directly with practices. [03:59] Meg discusses the Be Unconditional mindset and what it means for Merck’s approach to supporting veterinarians, pet owners, and pets. [04:28] She outlines Merck’s three daily goals: growing the business, changing behavior through compliance, and improving experiences. [05:28] Meg reflects on how her communication background shaped her veterinary and industry career. [06:25] She shares three current initiatives, starting with a global survey on parasite prevention that revealed major compliance gaps. [07:50] She highlights research linking tick-borne diseases to chronic kidney disease and how climate change is expanding parasite risks. [09:21] Meg explains Merck’s ongoing well-being studies, noting high burnout among non-veterinarian staff and financial pressures leading to second jobs. [11:29] She emphasizes the need for practice leaders to provide growth opportunities, resources, and a sense of purpose for staff. [12:42] Meg points to industry data tracking as another way Merck partners with organizations to understand trends. [13:59] Discussion turns to why pet owners struggle with year-round parasite prevention, often due to forgetfulness or dosing challenges. [14:39] Economic pressures make pet owners more selective about spending, reinforcing the need to show the value of prevention over treatment. [15:43] Meg identifies ongoing challenges like staffing shortages, inefficiency, and declining visits, alongside emerging issues such as fewer puppies and slower caseloads. [17:11] She explains why relying on price increases is unsustainable and stresses the importance of organic growth and compliance. [18:33] Declining wellness visits are flagged as a major concern because they directly impact long-term pet health. [19:11] Meg describes how Merck partners with hospitals to drive compliance, introduce efficiencies, and provide tailored solutions. [19:43] She gives examples of Merck products that meet diverse pet owner needs and budgets. [21:01] Innovation is highlighted with Novivac Next, an RNA particle vaccine platform designed for flexibility with emerging pathogens. [21:32] Data-driven tools like Parasite Activity Reports are explained as resources for improving compliance and practice revenue. [22:49] Meg discusses how veterinary practices are now embracing a business mindset and how Merck has shifted to a consultative approach. [24:33] She introduces her pets, two pugs and a cat and shares a lighthearted moment about keeping them out of the recording room. [25:14] Meg stresses the importance of anticipating needs and collaborating with veterinary organizations on solutions. [26:20] She reflects on advice she would give her younger self as a new veterinarian: always seek resources and support from colleagues. [27:34] True success is about making others smarter and stronger, not being the smartest in the room.

Links and Resources: Meg Conlon, DVM – Merck Animal HealthMeg Conlon, DVM – LinkedInBe Unconditional