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A Summary of the Results of a 2003 Study of Colorado-Based Veterinarians on Non-Accidental Injury in Dogs and Cats. This work was supported by the Animal Assistance Foundation, by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association and by American Humane. Background. 1999 Munro/Thursfield study
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A Summary of the Results of a 2003 Study of Colorado-Based Veterinarians on Non-Accidental Injury in Dogs and Cats This work was supported by the Animal Assistance Foundation, by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association and by American Humane
Background • 1999 Munro/Thursfield study • Non-accidental injury (NAI) in animals follows same patterns of diagnostic features as child abuse • CVMA/AAF connection • Colorado-based study of veterinarians’ beliefs and experiences with NAI • 1109 surveys distributed • 214 valid, unduplicated responses received (19%) • Luncheon at AH 125th anniversary in 2002 • CVMA members attended
Belief and NAI Experience Questions • Do you believe NAI exists? • Yes: 100% • Have you experienced NAI? • Yes: 65.4% • No: 33.6%
Animal Age and Gender of Maltreated Animals • Dogs • 58.9% were males • 63.8% of the males were intact • 7.4% were under 12 weeks old • 22.8% were 3-6 months • 33.1% were aged 7 months – 2 years • 30.1% were over 2 years old • Cats • 41.7% were males • 38.9% were females • 15.3% were under 12 weeks old • 22.2% were aged 3-6 months • 33.3% were aged 7 months – 2 years • 20.8% were over 2 years old
Most Common Dog Breeds with NAI • Pit Bulls and Labs • 15 cases each • Mixed breeds • 9 cases • Golden Retrievers and Australian Shepherds • 7 cases each • German Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels • 6 cases each
“What made you suspect or allowed you to recognize NAI?” • A particular person was implicated • Family member (60% of dogs; 61.4% of cats) • Dogs: 41.5% husbands/boyfriends; 18.5% children • Cats: 36.4% husbands/boyfriends; 25% children • Features in history • History provided did not match injuries • Witness to act of violence • Knowledge of violence in home • Previous death/injury involving another animal in home • Story changed over time or from person to person • Person said they had no idea how injury occurred.
“What made you suspect or allowed you to recognize NAI?” • Reporting agency involvement • Animal control, police, neighbors, strangers • Behavior of the owner or animal • Injuries • Type of injury • Repetitive injury • Sexual injury • Old injuries • Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
Outcomes • Dogs • 67.6% survived • 10.3% died due to injuries • 13.2% euthanized • Cats • 66.7% survived • 19.4% died due to injuries • 2.8% euthanized
Next Steps • Development of definitive guidelines for veterinarians on how to recognize NAI in animals • Develop case sheets for reporting suspected NAI • National-level prospective study needed • Future: annual report with data from each state (like NCANDS for animals) • Anyone who has not yet participated can still participate