As small veterinary practices lose their ability to compete and, most often, their profitability, they often become unsalable. These large, equine and small animal practices usually have equipment, instruments, drugs and hospital supplies that are of minimal value. Many are in mediocre, dated physical plants in which their owners have failed to upgrade through reinvestments. Others are the victims of bankruptcy proceedings because their owners have invested too heavily in all of the above. Still others face rapid devaluation in everything because of the owner's death, disability or loss of license.