Injuries and noninfective health disorders of veterinarians

In professional and scientific journals there are many published results on different prevalence, patterns and risk factors of animal-related injuries and occupational disorders among veterinarians. Veterinary medicine is hazardous. Veterinarians work under uncomfortable and unsafe conditions not only in animal housing units but also in their clinics, stations and surgeries with wet and slippery floors. They work closely with animals. Veterinarians are a high-risk group for significant injury from animal contacts. Veterinarians perform procedures that cause the animal pain, distress, and protective reactions of animals in different forms, such as biting, kicking, scratching or other trauma from the animals. They are exposed to different risk materials, equipment and many other risk factors such as radiation, oncogenic viruses, sharp instruments, anaesthetics gases, pesticides (insecticides), long working hours and occupational stressors. Veterinarians work with unknown animals, unknown people and demanding clients. Veterinarian are not only at increased risk of occupational diseases and injuries but also at increased risk of death from workrelated injuries, motor vehicle accidents, malignant diseases and suicide.