Vet Science Safety

General Safety in Veterinary Science

  • Working with animals, chemicals, animal wastes, and x-rays presents daily hazards for a veterinary team.

  • Being aware of all safety hazards and proper protection is key to a safe working environment.

Physical Hazards

  • Physical injuries from animals are the most common.

  • Examples include injuries from frightened animals or cat bites.

  • Other physical hazards include:

    • Back injuries from improper lifting (most common).

    • Falls on wet floors.

    • Exposure to x-rays.

  • You can prevent physical injuries by learning animal behavior and proper handling and restraint techniques.

Animal Safety

  • Dogs: Potential dangers include bites, scratches, being knocked down, head butts, and zoonotic diseases.

    • Warning Signs in Dogs:

    • Fearful Dog: Hackles raised, body lowered, ears back, pupils dilated, tail tucked with little or no movement, wrinkled nose, and lips slightly curled.

    • Dominant Dog: Tail raised and bristled, stiff tail, ears forward, hackles raised, vertical wrinkles on the forehead, wrinkled nose, curled lips, visible teeth and gums, and a stiff-legged stance.

  • Cats: Dangers include bites, scratches, and zoonotic diseases.

  • Large Animals: Be aware of bites, kicks, being knocked down, being stepped on, and being crushed.

  • Exotic Animals: A major concern is Salmonella.

  • Lifting animals: Do not lift more than 40 lbs alone.

Chemical Hazards

  • Chemicals used in veterinary hospitals include drugs, cleaning agents, insecticides, and anesthetic gases.

  • Exposure can cause damage to the skin, eyes, and lungs, and may lead to abortion or birth defects.

  • Never mix chemicals together.

  • OSHA and SDS Sheets:

    • OSHA is a key safety organization.

    • The "Right to Know" principle means you have a right to know about hazardous chemicals you are working with.

    • Safety Data Sheets (SDS) have eight sections providing information on a chemical's manufacturer, hazards, physical properties, health data, and more.

Biological Hazards

  • These are living tissues and organisms like blood, urine, live vaccines, and medical waste.

  • They can spread disease from one animal to another, or from animals to humans.

  • Sharps must be disposed of properly.

  • Medical wastes should be sterilized, incinerated, or chemically disinfected.

  • Gloves and protective clothing should be worn when handling biohazards.

Zoonotic Hazards

  • A zoonotic hazard is any disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

  • Examples of Zoonotic Diseases:

    • Viral: Rabies, Sleeping Sickness (Encephalitis).

    • Bacterial: Cat Scratch Fever, Leptospirosis, Salmonellosis, Brucellosis, Anthrax, Tuberculosis, MRSA.

    • Parasitic: Sarcoptic Mange, Toxoplasmosis, Visceral Larva Migrans, Cutaneous Larva Migrans.

    • Fungal: Ringworm, Blastomycosis, Histoplasmosis, Aspergillosis.

  • Ways to prevent spread: Vaccinating animals and humans, proper waste disposal, isolating infected animals, proper handling, sanitation, and hand washing.

Drug Use and Safety

  • The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 and the DEA monitor veterinary drug usage.

  • Drug Schedules:

    • Schedule I: No accepted medical use; high potential for abuse (e.g., Heroin, LSD).

    • Schedule II: Accepted medical use; high potential for abuse (e.g., Dilaudid, Demerol).

    • Schedule III: Accepted medical use; medium potential for abuse (e.g., Vicodin, Tylenol with codeine).

    • Schedule IV: Accepted medical use; low potential for abuse (e.g., Xanax, Valium).

    • Schedule V: Accepted medical use; lowest potential for abuse (e.g., Phenergan).

Sanitation

  • Sanitation is the process of keeping something free of health-endangering elements.

  • Four Types of Sanitation:

    • Cleaning: Physically removing dirt and organic matter.

    • Disinfecting: Destroying most microorganisms on nonliving objects.

    • Sterilizing: Destroying all microorganisms and viruses on an object using heat and/or chemicals.

    • Antiseptics: Solutions that destroy microorganisms on living tissue.

  • Sanitation Methods:

    • Physical Cleaning: Using a chemical with a mop or sponge.

    • Cold Sterilization: Soaking items in a chemical disinfectant.

    • Dry Heat: Incinerating or exposing an object to flame.

    • Radiation: Using UV or gamma rays (can be expensive and dangerous).

    • Filtration: Using a physical barrier to remove particles (e.g., facemasks).

    • Ultrasonic Scaler: Using high-frequency sound waves to scrub an object.

    • Autoclave: A sealed chamber that uses heat and steam under pressure to sterilize objects.

    • Centrifuge: A machine that separates fluids of different densities.

Safe Attire

  • To promote safety, you should wear your hair pulled back, avoid jewelry that can be caught, wear long pants, and wear closed-toed shoes.

  • Use caution with contact lenses.