When Less Is More: The Case for Pragmatic Veterinary Care

Pragmatic veterinary care is not cutting corners. It is not “budget medicine.” It is a thoughtful, evidence-based approach that balances clinical reasoning with the realities of everyday life, aiming for the best possible outcome for both pets and their families.

And increasingly, vets and owners alike are recognising that less can, in many circumstances, truly be more.

What Pragmatic Care Really Means

Pragmatic care sits between two extremes: doing everything and doing nothing. It is the middle ground where clinical judgement, experience, and welfare come together.

At its core, pragmatic care is about:

• Choosing diagnostics and treatments that genuinely improve welfare

• Avoiding unnecessary or invasive procedures

• Using experience, communication, and observation as much as technology

• Working with owners to understand what’s realistic for their circumstances

This approach is particularly important in primary care, where the aim is not to chase every possible diagnosis but to treat the patient in front of you. As many vets know, the best outcome is often achieved by responding to how the animal looks, feels, and behaves – not by following a checklist of possible investigations.

Why “More” Isn’t Always Better

In modern veterinary medicine, we have an extraordinary range of tests and technologies at our disposal. But the ability to do something does not automatically mean we should.

There are several reasons why “doing everything” isn’t always in the animal’s best interests:

1. Stress and discomfort
Some animals become highly distressed during repeated hospital visits, blood tests, or imaging. Minimising this stress can significantly improve quality of life.

2. Financial burden
High-cost diagnostics can create anxiety for owners and strain the relationship between vet and client. Pragmatic care acknowledges finances without compromising welfare.

3. Time to treatment
Sometimes, the fastest way to help an animal feel better is through clinical reasoning and targeted therapy rather than an extensive work-up.

4. Patient-centred outcomes
A treatment plan should be built around the animal’s comfort, not a theoretical ideal. Many long-term conditions, especially in older pets, benefit from gentle, supportive care rather than aggressive intervention.

The Role of Professional Experience

Pragmatic care relies heavily on veterinary experience and confidence. New graduates often feel pressure to test or scan because they lack the years of pattern recognition that help senior vets make safe, sensible decisions.

But with experience comes the ability to say:

“This is what’s most likely. Let’s start here.”

Good care is not about guessing – it’s about applying evidence, clinical experience, and a clear understanding of what outcomes matter.

Clear Communication Makes All the Difference

Pragmatic care works best when vets and owners communicate honestly about expectations, values, and concerns. Most owners do not want every possible test. They want to understand what is necessary, what is useful, and what is optional.

Key conversations include:

• “What are we trying to achieve?”

• “What matters most to you and your pet?”

• “What is the least stressful, most effective option here?”

When owners feel informed and involved, they are more comfortable with a staged approach rather than an exhaustive one.

Good Care Doesn’t Always Mean Doing Everything

Pragmatic care recognises that medicine happens in real life, not in textbooks. A thoughtful, measured approach is often the kindest and most effective option – particularly for senior animals, chronic conditions, or situations where stress or cost becomes a significant welfare factor.

Doing less is not doing “worse.” It is doing what matters.

And when pragmatic care is delivered with experience, communication, and compassion, it can lead to better outcomes, happier pets, and stronger relationships between vets and their clients.

Listen to the Full Conversation

Hear more about pragmatic veterinary care in our latest episode of The Consult Room:
🎧 When Less Is More: Rethinking Modern Veterinary Care