AGGRESSIVE ANIMAL/ BITE PROTOCOL

AGGRESSIVE ANIMAL POLICIES

1. Take all necessary precautions to prevent animal-related injuries. Preventive measures include reliance on experienced veterinary personnel rather than owners to restrain animals and the use of physical restraints, bite-resistant gloves, muzzles, and sedation or anesthesia as necessary. Aggressive tendencies and bite history should be recorded in the patient’s record, communicated to personnel, and indicated with signage on cages and enclosures. Remain alert for changes in patients’ behavior, and when working with large animals have an escape route in mind at all times.
2. Attempt to escape if attacked by a large, aggressive dog. If not possible to escape or use other means of self-defense, cover throat area using your hands and arms, and lie in a fetal position.
3. Concerning Equine:
   1. When performing procedures on horses, remember to remain close to the animal to minimize the injury potential of a kick. If remaining in close proximity is out of the question, move away from kicking range.
   2. A halter and lead rope must be used when grooming or restraining horses.
   3. Do not hold the halter of a rearing horse.
4. In the event a dog or cat fight should occur at a clinical facility, do not attempt to break up the fight alone. Instead:
   1. Obtain help.
   2. Use a catch pole, if the fight must be broken up.
   3. Never use your hands to break up a fight.
   4. Never break up a fight alone.

ANIMAL BITE PROTOCOL

Animal bites must immediately receive medical attention and be reported to the proper authorities, who will supervise the response. Information about the incident should be transferred with the animal and its paperwork at every point along the path to and from an Emergency Animal Care Center.

1. As soon as a bite is observed or suspected, place the suspect animal in a secure cage or crate that is clearly tagged: “This cage/crate contains an animal that has been involved in a bite.”
   1. Isolate the caged animal.
   2. No one is to handle this animal except professional staff who are specifically authorized to do so.
2. Immediately direct the person who has been bitten to medical attention.
   1. As necessary, apply pressure to stop bleeding.
   2. Wash wounds thoroughly with plenty of soap and warm water. Run water over the wound for several minutes to make sure it is clean and all soap is rinsed out.
   3. After a thorough wash and rinse, apply an antiseptic solution, such as iodine or other disinfectant.
   4. See a physician as soon as possible. If a physician of choice is unavailable, go to the nearest emergency-care facility. Explain how the bite occurred, and follow the physician's advice.
3. Determine and clearly document the incident in the animal’s paperwork. Include:
   1. The date and time of the bite,
   2. The identity of the person who was bitten,
   3. The rabies vaccination status of the person who was bitten,
   4. The rabies vaccination status of the animal involved, e. The identity of people who witnessed the bite,
   5. Any special circumstances associated with the bite, g. The identity of the owner of the animal,
   6. The time/date of notification of the owner. 4. Make proper notifications.
   7. If the bite occurred at the Clinical Site, notify the Supervisor or Office manager immediately.
   8. Notify the Director of Coastal Alabama Community College Veterinary Technology program

Note: Once a bite has occurred, options (such as euthanasia, movement, or return of an animal to its owner) are limited by Alabama laws and regulations.