Ep. 101 | Why Your Inventory Numbers Are Always Off (And What to Do About It) Artwork

Inventory Nation with Nicole Clausen - All Things Inventory Management for Veterinary Professionals

After working with thousands of veterinary professionals and inventory managers from across the country as the founder of Veterinary Care Logistics and the Veterinary Inventory Strategy Network, I've come to realize two things. One, as veterinary professionals we need help managing inventory (you are not alone!). Two, there are so many talented, dedicated, passionate veterinary professionals with amazing stories. Join us for the Inventory Nation podcast to hear the stories and voices of vet med AND help manage and control your inventory.

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Inventory Nation with Nicole Clausen - All Things Inventory Management for Veterinary Professionals

Ep. 101 | Why Your Inventory Numbers Are Always Off (And What to Do About It)

June 16, 2026 • Nicole Clausen, CSSGB • Episode 101

0:00 | 25:07

This week's episode was sparked by a really great question posted in the Veterinary Inventory Management Facebook group, and honestly, it's one I hear all the time: Why are my inventory numbers never accurate, even for something as simple as ear cleaner?

If you've ever felt like your inventory is completely out of control and you're not sure where to even start, this one's for you.

We dig into the two main "levers" that affect your inventory accuracy in your practice management system: inventory coming in (your receiving process) and inventory going out (how things are sold and deducted). Understanding which lever is the problem is the key to actually fixing it, and it gives you a way to troubleshoot that doesn't feel so overwhelming.

Here's what we cover:

Why your practice management software might be working against you from the start — and why that's not your fault
The receiving process and why getting it right is the foundation of everything else
How your item code descriptions can create chaos for your whole team (and what to do about it)
The financial impact of inaccurate inventory, including margin erosion and missed charges
How cycle counts can help you catch problems before they spiral out of control
A simple framework for diagnosing which lever is causing your inventory to be off

Whether you're brand new to inventory management or you've been at this for years and still feel stuck, this episode will give you a grounded, practical starting point.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

📘 Inventory Management for Veterinary Professionals — available on Wiley's website and Amazon
💻 Inventory Ally — an alternative to PIMS-based inventory tracking
👥 Veterinary Inventory Management Facebook Group
🎓 CVIP Certification — learn more at vetlogic.co
📧 Miss the Veterinary Inventory Manager Appreciation Day resources? Head on over to the party page!

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