MADISON, Wis. -- Numbers from the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association reveal a shortage of veterinarians in large animal practices. With the number of local farms losing ground to large dairy farms, veterinarians who specialize in large animals are in high demand across the state.

The current enrollment for large animal practices, including cows and horses, is 116, according to the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association. But small animal practices have an enrollment of 986. There is also a trend toward mixed practices -- 429 veterinary practices in the state do work with both large and small animals.

Larry Mahr, a veterinarian since 1966, recently noticed health problems with one of his dairy cows. The cow had a twisted stomach and was eight months pregnant. He said that he is one of the dwindling few in the area who know how to treat the animal.

"There is a lot that goes into modern-day dairy farming. There are a lot of things for vets to do, and I think it's an exciting area to be going into if I were of that age," Mahr said.

Rebecca Mentink and Johnie Ambrosy, both fourth-year veterinarian students at University of Wisconsin-Madison, said they are excited about their job prospects.

"I grew up around cows, interacting with our veterinarians whenever they'd come out and I was there. And I had responsibilities on the farm, so that's where I fell in love with cows and just the thought of helping animals heal," Mentink said.

"I want to help farmer farmers out. There's a definite need there for us," Ambrosy said.

But it remains to be seen if the larger need for vets can be meet. Nigel Cook, with food animal production medicine at UW-Madison, said that Mentink and Ambrosy are part of a dwindling graduating class.

"We're getting about 10 students fewer into our final-year programs than 10 years ago," Cook said.

Ambrosy said that part of the reason for the decline is likely because there are fewer "farm kids" that have a background in food animals and want to become vets.

"Most people want to do the small animal track. There's a lot of interest toward the large animal but not a lot of people are willing to commit to the long hours. It's hard work, very labor intensive," Ambrosy said.

Cook said that the lack of interested students could lead to problems for farmers.

"There are areas where we still have 30 to 50 cow tie stall and station barns. Our students aren't going to want to go into those areas," Cook said. "So we're going to see rural areas struggle to find veterinarians to deal with the existing farms that are there."

Mahr said that people who commit to large animal practices could find a rewarding career.

"It has been a great profession. It has a lot of rewards. It's a lot of work but it's always been fun," Mahr said.

The veterinary medicine school at UW-Madison is conducting programs in local elementary, middle and high schools to expose students to animals and educate them on what a veterinarian's job entails.

UW-Madison officials said they have seen a fluctuating pattern in enrollment in the food animal program. Since 1986, the average has fallen from 29 students to 19 students. Enrollment dipped down to a low of 15 during the 2001-02 school year, WISC-TV reported.

School officials said they are doing their best to keep students in that program all four years as well. They said that many leave the food animal track part of the way through. Officials said they are analyzing the curriculum for possible changes.