Health Hazards Among Veterinarians:

Abstract

Veterinarians are faced with numerous hazards in their daily practice. We surveyed all licensed veterinarians in North Carolina to evaluate inadvertent or adverse exposures they had experienced in their practice. We also assessed their use of exposure monitors and personal protective equipment. Exposures were evaluated by gender, age and type of practice. Of the respondents 67.8% had sustained a major animal related injury and 8.2% had been hospitalized for a work-related injury. Adverse symptoms due to pesticide exposure occured in 11.4% of respondents. A zoonotic infection was reported by 35.2% of practitioners, and animal allergies occured in 20.3%. The use of personal monitors and protective equipment such as film badges, gloves, scavenging glass systems and seat belts were evaluated. Recommendations are offered to decrease the risks that may occur in a veterinarian's daily practice.