Working with Cats and Dogs Safely Poster provided by the AAHA Business Insurance Program

Workers’ Compensation Statistical Data Provided by The Hartford

Cat Injury Locations Dog Injury Locations

17.9% Head/Skull/Brain 1.1% Head/Skull/Brain
2.5% Face/Eye/Ear 21% Face/Eye/Ear
<1% Back 1% Back
<1% Chest/Ribs <1% Chest/Ribs
12.5% Arms 11% Arms

Don’t Do
4.8% Wrists 2.8% Wrists
32% Hands 26% Hands
38% Fingers 25% Fingers

1% Knees 3.8% Knees

• Place cats with dogs • Use proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
<1% Feet <1% Feet
• Place aggressive dogs together • Transport the patient from the lobby to the exam
room as soon as possible 6% Multiple Upper Body 5% Multiple Upper Body
• Make sudden moves, loud noises, or threatening <1% Other <1% Other
gestures • Use proper restraint techniques at all times
• Believe that a docile cat will not bite or scratch • Use chemical restraint when appropriate Cats account for 53% of all bites Dogs account for 43% of all bites
• Show fear or aggression • Treat all cats and dogs as potential biters
• Provoke or torment • Separate cats and dogs from other animals to
avoid anxiety and fearful outbursts
• Hold a patient’s mouth closed with your hand
• Use appropriate equipment to handle and restrain Employee Job Position for Injuries Involving Cats Employee Job Position for Injuries Involving Dogs
• Reach into kennel cages without Personal patients
Protective Equipment (PPE) Groomer - 3.2%
• Be cautious of patients waking from anesthesia– Attendant - 1.6% Groomer - 2.4%
Receptionist - 5.7%
• Allow inexperienced or poorly trained the loss of consciousness may cause behavior Receptionist - 3.9% Attendant - 1.9%
employees to handle potentially aggressive changes Other - 4.9% Other - 6.2%
animals General - 4.9%
• Train your staff on cat and dog restraint General - 10%
• Wear loose jewelry or articles that may interfere techniques, behavior, and specific safety methods
with handling patients and protocol
• Conduct and document safety training sessions at Technician - 42.6% Assistant - 18.4% Technician - 37.7%
Veterinarian - 17.1%
least quarterly and review specific safety issues
• Seek prompt medical attention when someone is
AAHA Business Insurance Program injured Veterinarian - 21%
Assistant - 17.8%
• Educate clients on the proper use and
Broker and Consultant: manufacturer’s guidelines of restraint products
P.O. Box 1629
Chicago, IL 60690-1629 • Ask that owners muzzle aggressive dogs before
Phone: 866-380-AAHA (2242)
Fax: 866-381-AAHA
entering the practice and that cats are brought in
carriers
Experience Level of Injured Workers
Email: aaha@hubinternational.com
www.aahainsurance.org Hub International Midwest Limited
• Implement an aggressive “Patient Will Bite” 1-3 3-5 1-3 5-10 3-6 2-4 10 + 6-12 Up to 1 1-2
Hub International Midwest Insurance Agency (CA)
Program that records aggressive behavior in the 50% Years Years Months Years Months Weeks Years Months Week Weeks
Business Property/Liability Workers’ Compensation Umbrella Liability patient’s records 42%
Flood Employment Practices Special Coverage for Mobile
Safety and Loss Control Liability Practitioners • Postpone treatment or refer if adequate restraint 40%
Resources Commercial Auto ERISA Bonds is not available to you
42% of claims involved workers with 1-3 years of experience
30%
Workers’ Compensation Claim Trends
Almost half (45%) of all claims happened before 12:00 p.m. 20% 15.9%

Overall, technicians claimed the most injuries at 40% followed by veterinarians at 20% 9.3% 8.6% 8.4% 7.5%
10%
Bites and scratches were the most common injuries; however, cats caused 13% more claims than dogs. 2.9% 2.5% 1.6% 1.3%
The most common types of injuries sustained were punctures and lacerations. 0%