Table 1 Occupational characteristics of veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants
Profession | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Veterinarian n = 226 (46.9%) | Veterinary techniciana n = 220 (45.6%) | Veterinary assistantb n = 36 (7.5%) | |
n (%) | n (%) | n (%) | |
Occupational animal contact | |||
No. of years working in animal health care (median; IQR) | 13 (6–22) | 10.5 (5–18.5) | 13 (8.5–25) |
No. animal contact hours per week (median; IQR) | 25 (20–30) | 20 (10–28) | 14.5 (5–27.5) |
Frequent animal contact withc | |||
Companion animals | 189 (83.6) | 216 (98.2) | 30 (83.3) |
Dogs | 185 (81.9) | 214 (97.3) | 27 (75.0) |
Cats | 181 (80.1) | 208 (94.6) | 28 (77.8) |
Rabbits/guinea pigs/hamsters | 154 (68.1) | 145 (65.9) | 16 (44.4) |
Mice/rats | 21 (9.3) | 12 (5.5) | 3 (8.3) |
Birds | 22 (9.7) | 21 (9.6) | 3 (8.3) |
Livestock | 73 (32.3) | 31 (14.1) | 6 (16.7) |
Cattle | 51 (22.6) | 19 (8.6) | 5 (13.9) |
Pigs | 14 (6.2) | 3 (1.4) | 2 (5.6) |
Chicken | 22 (9.7) | 15 (6.8) | 3 (8.3) |
Other poultry | 3 (1.3) | 5 (2.3) | 2 (5.6) |
Sheep | 34 (15.0) | 13 (5.9) | 4 (11.1) |
Goats | 25 (11.1) | 10 (4.6) | 4 (11.1) |
Equines | 42 (18.6) | 30 (13.6) | 6 (16.7) |
Frequent animal contact with companion animals only | 139 (61.5) | 168 (76.4) | 25 (69.4) |
Animal-related work activitiesc | |||
Activities with companion animals | |||
Consultations | 177 (78.3) | 178 (80.9) | 24 (66.7) |
Home visits | 75 (33.2) | 10 (4.6) | 0 (0) |
Surgical procedures | 152 (67.3) | 150 (68.2) | 19 (52.8) |
Dental cleaning/care | 126 (55.8) | 139 (63.2) | 18 (50.0) |
Cleaning animal housing | 84 (37.2) | 198 (90.0) | 25 (69.4) |
Shaving/grooming | 76 (33.6) | 123 (55.9) | 14 (38.9) |
Activities with livestock | |||
Farm/home visits | 61 (27.0) | 2 (0.9) | 0 (0) |
Surgical procedures | 41 (18.1) | 1 (0.5) | 0 (0) |
Cleaning out stables | 0 (0) | 3 (1.4) | 1 (2.8) |
Activities with equines | |||
Outpatient clinic | 6 (2.7) | 2 (0.9) | 0 (0) |
Farm/home visits | 33 (14.6) | 2 (0.9) | 0 (0) |
Surgical procedures | 6 (2.7) | 1 (0.5) | 0 (0) |
Dental cleaning/care | 7 (3.1) | 2 (0.9) | 0 (0) |
Cleaning out stables | 4 (1.8) | 3 (1.4) | 0 (0) |
Brushing/grooming | 4 (1.8) | 4 (1.8) | 0 (0) |
Farm visits total (last 4 weeks) | 65 (28.8) | 6 (2.7) | 1 (2.8) |
Cattle farms | 48 (21.2) | 3 (1.4) | 1 (2.8) |
Beef cattle | 33 (14.6) | 1 (0.5) | 0 (0) |
Dairy cattle | 48 (21.2) | 3 (1.4) | 1 (2.8) |
Poultry farms | 8 (3.5) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
Broilers | 5 (2.2) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
Laying hens | 5 (2.2) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
Pig farms | 20 (8.9) | 0 (0) | 1 (2.8) |
Porkers | 13 (5.8) | 0 (0) | 1 (2.8) |
Meat pigs | 15 (6.6) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
Sheep farms | 36 (15.9) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
Goat farms | 29 (12.8) | 0 (0) | 0(0) |