The BVA has announced the results of a survey which found that 64% of small animal veterinary surgeons have been injured in the line of duty in the past year alone.

By far the most common injuries were scratches and bites (90% and 78% respectively), however 17% rated their injuries as either 'quite' or 'very' severe.

Whilst small animal vets were shown to be at the greatest risk of injury in clinical practice (compared to 61% of equine vets and 53% of production animal vets), the injuries sustained by production and equine vets were predictably more severe. 19% of production vets and 27% of equine vets rated their injuries as either 'quite' or 'very' severe.

BVA President John Blackwell said: Vets accept the daily risk of injury at work, but these figures highlight just how common injuries are for vets who care for pets. Rather than simply accepting this as an ‘occupational hazard’, veterinary teams should ensure they are taking all appropriate measures to mitigate the risks of working with animals whenever possible. BVA provides guidance for vets, for example on preventing and dealing with dog bites in the practice."

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