If you are in veterinary medicine for an extended period, you will likely be bitten.
“That’s just what’s going to happen,” said Amy Newfield, a certified veterinary technician at BluePearl Massachusetts, during her presentation, “Bites Bite: Avoid Being Bitten,” at the AVMA Virtual Convention 2020 this past August.
Newfield said she has been bitten, and she knows multiple veterinary professionals who have been badly injured. However, there are ways to limit exposure and tips to recognize a stressed-out animal that can help.
Nervous dogs
Newfield said the first thing to remember for dogs is that you are there to do a job, not to make new friends.
She suggested watching for the following behaviors:
- Yawning.
- Licking lips or nose.
- Staring up or away.
- Scratching.
- Inability to move.
- Shaking.
- Rolling over.
- Cowering.
- Chewing.
“Look for these behaviors,” Newfield said. “They represent a worried or anxious dog.”
Newfield said while she loves fear-free approaches, there are times when an animal needs to be restrained in veterinary medicine. However, she said, never use nylon, cloth, or woven collars or leashes; always use a slip lead. Newfield said, while restraining a dog, never stand in front of it, never yell or scream, act calm, speak to the dog in terms it knows, use basket muzzles when necessary, and always have a second person with you.
Scaredy-cats
Newfield said cats are another story, and most bites are by cats.
“Remember, cats are only tame, not domesticated,” she said. “It is harder to speak their language. They have a lot of emotion, and we ramp up their emotion because we are afraid of them.”
Newfield said the following conflict behaviors indicate that a cat may bite or scratch:
- Hissing.
- Growling.
- Shaking.
- Inability to move.
- Hair standing on end.
- Ears back.
- Hiding.
“Never attempt to deal with a highly aggressive cat by yourself,” Newfield said. “Always have one other person there to help you. Never scruff, but put a hand on the neck.”
Newfield said there are additional ways to make an experience less stressful for the animal and the veterinary care team, including using towels to wrap cats during procedures, wearing gloves, carriers with a top door, feline pheromones, catnip, muzzles or Elizabethan collars on aggressive cats, and treats.
“If you get bitten, you can’t help the animal,” Newfield said. “Talk to owners, and get them on board with what is safest for you and the pet. Muzzles and other restraints may seem scary, but it never hurts. Get your human emotions out of the picture.”
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Tips to avoid being bitten - American Veterinary Medical Association
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