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Survey of Occupational Hazards
in California Veterinarians
 J. Kirk and R. Atwill, Veterinary Medicine Extension, Veterinary Medicine
Teaching and Research Center (VMTRC); P. Susitaival, VMTRC, Tulare; M.
Schenker and S. McCurdy, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive
Medicine, UC Davis
Approach: Questionnaires asking for information about occupational
hazards were sent out to 2,000 California veterinarians. More than 73% of
the veterinarians responded with information about acute injuries,
chronic repetitive conditions, zoonoses, allergies and respiratory
conditions. Most of the respondents were engaged in private practice.
Results:
 About 14% had sustained a serious injury during their career and during the last 12 months.
13% had an injury that required greater than one week off work.
More than 25% had some form of cumulative or chronic repetitive motion
injury (requiring treatment or restricting their occupational activities).
Greater than 39% reported having some sort of zoonoses during their
career.
Dermatitis was reported by 45% of the veterinarians.
More than 62% indicated that they had some form of rhinitis,
conjunctivitis or nasal allergy.
Further analyses of the questionnaires will allow us to develop preventive
and educational strategies to reduce the number of occupational injuries
in veterinarians.
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