Animal related injuries

[VelcroSky]

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Hi,

I just mentioned this in the naughty horses thread, thought I'd try and start up a thread. What are some of the worst animal related injuries that you've sustained? Last week I was standing in front of a horse (a little too close) and a kid was asking me a million of questions. I foolishly stopped paying attention to the horse. Next thing I know he reared up his head and I took his forehead right in my nose. There was a ton of blood. I ended up in the ER for some x-rays because witnesses said they heard a loud bone cracking sound. Well, no broken bones but boy did that hurt.

My boss later told me an old saying that he knows that goes something like, "the horse that will kill you, is the calm horse that you trust."

 

[HorseyVet]

My boss later told me an old saying that he knows that goes something like, "the horse that will kill you, is the calm horse that you trust."

There actually was a little stub article in The Horse magazine that talked about a study (I think in scandinavia somewhere) that found that veterinarian who owned horses were substaintially more likely to get injuried by one on the job. Basically you get desensitized and take more risks....

IMO...if you want to continue working with large animals for the rest of your life and/or not require the assistance of a cane....sedate sedate sedate....A lot of people are pressured into not sedating by the owners and/or don't want to look like a "wuss"....I know too many former large animal vets that have become very injuried. We have to remember that it's not our job to train these clients' horses when we're there to treat them. Farriers have the same problem, but it's worse because they lack the truck full of drugs...

I think I'll post on my injuries later...lol

 

[birdvet2006]

I haven't had many *bad* injuries (knock on wood) on the job. (Outside of "the job" I did have a bad horse fall when I was 8 and got a concussion...rushed to the hospital in an ambulance and all).

But just last week I was stepped on by a horse (sedated - so sedation doesn't save you from everything!) twice. Once on the toe (ouch) and once on the medial side of my foot. The medial side of the foot wasn't painful at all, but later that day I noticed a bruise and slight swelling - and (to this day!) numbness/tingling of the dorsomedial half of my lower leg! Kind of annoying to not really be able to feel your leg. Nerve damage is my self-diagnosis and hopefully sensation will improve with time (lots of time - nerves don't heal very rapidly).

I know an equine surgeon who has broken a collar bone and an arm, among other injuries sustained on the job.

 

[HorseyVet]

I know an equine surgeon who has broken a collar bone and an arm, among other injuries sustained on the job.

I think if you want to do anything serious with horses in your life you should just cut to the chase and have someone bash your clavicle with a hammer because you're going to get it broken at some point.

I have and probably at least a 1/3 of the serious horse people I know have too.... at least once..

 

[Iain]

I have to say as an owner if my vet was over zealous with sedation I would find another one - I am not going to pay $68, because my vet is timid of horses. Yes there are many horses who need to be sedated for routine things such as x-rays or scoping, however if it were my horses I expect it only to be used in cases where horses have demonstrated it is necessary and after trying a lip chain and/or twitch and if it was a vet that I knew well, I would happily let him reprimand my horse as if it was one of his own!

I would not say riders/non-riders are more likely to get injured on the job, I think it solely depends on how they were taught to act around horses. Someone who learnt to ride at a riding school with bombproof horses will have a lot more to learn then someone who was bought up in Pony Club, has been around unpredictable (problem/young) horses, and has basically seen a lot more.

I personally am far more scared of cats - the are quick, dirty and strike out in all direction. Horses are docile, and having been around them for 20 years, I just know how to be safe around them.

 

[2Bsure]

I was trying to hold a nervous rottweiler down for some reason I cannot remember at the moment. My body was sort of over the dog trying to prevent her fleeing, and she reared her head back and smacked me in the nose. Very painful.

 

[HorseyVet]

I have to say as an owner if my vet was over zealous with sedation I would find another one - I am not going to pay $68, because my vet is timid of horses. Yes there are many horses who need to be sedated for routine things such as x-rays or scoping, however if it were my horses I expect it only to be used in cases where horses have demonstrated it is necessary and after trying a lip chain and/or twitch and if it was a vet that I knew well, I would happily let him reprimand my horse as if it was one of his own!

Obviously if it doesn't need to be sedated, it doesn't need to be sedated. A twitch only goes so far. There are many many many times where even after wrestling the horse for almost an hour the owner still doesn't think the animal needs to be sedated.

I'm not timid of horses and that's not what I was talking about. If you're timid around horses, don't be around horses. I personally would rather not sedate, but I also realize that this bullheadedness would get me killed in a number of ocassions and thus have forced myself to become more comfortable with the fact that if I want to continue what I love, I (and everyone in the same position) need to worry more about safety than ego. This what the point of my comment.

I would not say riders/non-riders are more likely to get injured on the job, I think it solely depends on how they were taught to act around horses. Someone who learnt to ride at a riding school with bombproof horses will have a lot more to learn then someone who was bought up in Pony Club, has been around unpredictable (problem/young) horses, and has basically seen a lot more.

I'm just telling you what that study said. I have a lot of personal ancedotal evidence along the same lines. Also...I've known a lot of pony clubbers who really, uh, didn't measure up in my estimation as horseman at any level, but boy did they ever think they were masters of all things equine. I'm sure it depends on where you go...

Horses are docile, and having been around them for 20 years, I just know how to be safe around them.

I really think you might have a bit of a false sense of security. That's sort of what that study was getting at...

 

[EquiDoc]

There actually was a little stub article in The Horse magazine that talked about a study (I think in scandinavia somewhere) that found that veterinarian who owned horses were substaintially more likely to get injuried by one on the job. Basically you get desensitized and take more risks....

IMO...if you want to continue working with large animals for the rest of your life and/or not require the assistance of a cane....sedate sedate sedate....A lot of people are pressured into not sedating by the owners and/or don't want to look like a "wuss"....I know too many former large animal vets that have become very injuried. We have to remember that it's not our job to train these clients' horses when we're there to treat them. Farriers have the same problem, but it's worse because they lack the truck full of drugs...

I think I'll post on my injuries later...lol

Chemical restraint is not to be taken lightly - any anesthesia comes with risks, and it is inappropriate to utilize these drugs when they aren't absolutely necessary. There are a lot of vets that over-use xylazine and butorphanol, and let me tell you, it only takes one bad anesthesia reaction (or worse, death) to make you re-evaluate the circumstances under which you decided to sedate a horse.

Obviously there are procedures where sedation is necessary, and clearly you would use it. But as Ian said, if you walk in and sedate a horse to do a physical exam, clients are going to kindly thank you (or not so kindly thank you...) and call somebody else.

I believe that if people are unwilling to take the risks of working with sober horses, dont be a an equine vet.

 

[HorseyVet]

Chemical restraint is not to be taken lightly - any anesthesia comes with risks, and it is inappropriate to utilize these drugs when they aren't absolutely necessary. There are a lot of vets that over-use xylazine and butorphanol, and let me tell you, it only takes one bad anesthesia reaction (or worse, death) to make you re-evaluate the circumstances under which you decided to sedate a horse.

Obviously there are procedures where sedation is necessary, and clearly you would use it. But as Ian said, if you walk in and sedate a horse to do a physical exam, clients are going to kindly thank you (or not so kindly thank you...) and call somebody else.

I believe that if people are unwilling to take the risks of working with sober horses, dont be a an equine vet.

I love how everyone always reads a post and assumes the worst....You all act like I said you should sedate anything that just puts its ears back once or looks at you funny. I didn't think I needed to spell out every scenario where sedatation is or is not appropriate. I personally have met a number of vets whoose careers in equine were virtually ended b/c of situations that probably could have been prevented. I was just trying to warn against a, what is fairly common, mentality where vets sacrifice their own safety b/c of the pressures of the client or personal fear of being labeled as a wuss.

Next time you get a skull fracture from being smacked in the head by a gag while you're floating or your ribs broken from palpating that maiden mare that the client swears is gentle in hand, don't say I didn't warn you.

There are obviously risks that go with working with animals, but part of the job is to know how to minimize those risks. I really do not appreciate some of the assumptions being made here.

 

[EquiDoc]

I love how everyone always reads a post and assumes the worst....You all act like I said you should sedate anything that just puts its ears back once or looks at you funny. I didn't think I needed to spell out every scenario where sedatation is or is not appropriate. I personally have met a number of vets whoose careers in equine were virtually ended b/c of situations that probably could have been prevented. I was just trying to warn against a, what is fairly common, mentality where vets sacrifice their own safety b/c of the pressures of the client or personal fear of being labeled as a wuss.

Next time you get a skull fracture from being smacked in the head by a gag while you're floating or your ribs broken from palpating that maiden mare that the client swears is gentle in hand, don't say I didn't warn you.

There are obviously risks that go with working with animals, but part of the job is to know how to minimize those risks. I really do not appreciate some of the assumptions being made here.

who floats horses without sedation? i dont even think thats possible.

I've worked with horses for 20 years, done 5 years of vet school, and 4 years of specialty training... i dont think you'll be warning me about anything.... quite the contrary.

 

[HorseyVet]

who floats horses without sedation? i dont even think thats possible.

A decent amount of clients freak out when you want to sedate them to float....sometimes b/c they are worried about the sedation or are convinced that their horse is perfect enough to tolerate it. Sometimes owners just don't want to have to wait with the horse untill he awake again...Some horses will tolerate being floated without sedation, but most are going to need it. I've seen a practice make the transition from standard to power floaters and I think there is a lot less tolerance (and therefore more sedation) of the powers b/c the noise is frightening. Also, with the powers, there is cord (often attached to precarious electrical wiring) which makes sedation for safety purposes of everyone, horse included, more notable.

 

[EquiDoc]

A decent amount of clients freak out when you want to sedate them to float....sometimes b/c they are worried about the sedation or are convinced that their horse is perfect enough to tolerate it. Sometimes owners just don't want to have to wait with the horse untill he awake again...Some horses will tolerate being floated without sedation, but most are going to need it. I've seen a practice make the transition from standard to power floaters and I think there is a lot less tolerance (and therefore more sedation) of the powers b/c the noise is frightening. Also, with the powers, there is cord (often attached to precarious electrical wiring) which makes sedation for safety purposes of everyone, horse included, more notable.

i wouldn't even give the client the option - if they want to float a horses teeth without anesthesia, then they can go right ahead and try...

 

[keppsu1]

Ok, I'm coming from somewhat of a different perspective, but please just listen and take it for what it is. I'm just giving an opinion.

Here's my large animal experience: My aunt show jumped all her life, so I can ride a horse and I know horse/barn basics...she has broken collar bone a few times, etc. I grew up in central PA, so I am somewhat comfortable around cattle (mostly dairy, but I have seen sperm collection from bulls and it makes me support the idea that we need men in this profession....sorry girls, but you aren't gonna find me fighting to be the head of the dairy breeding research in this case...it's dangerous and I bow to the person (male or female) who can handle the physical power that is involved when a 1000 lb plus animal is on the edge.

I have two interesting stories relating to injury with large animals (ok, none with pigs but I've heard firsthand about pig farms). I know that goats are somewhat cool and will mow my lawn, but I don't think I need one. I have had three or so friends/DVM mentors in GA and PA that have owned goats and they are funny...from needing to stand on the roof of their goat ('dog') house to eating microwaves and thong underwear, I think I'll pass on this pet.

Back to injuries: #1. I know someone who works as a PhD in veterinary medicine who is permanently paralyzed from being thrown from a horse (freak accident, but it opened my eyes). We traveled to a conference together and I learned a lot about handicapped life. I'm not saying that this should influence your lifestyle, but it was an eye opener regarding the chances that we take in everyday life.

#2. While interviewing for my research position in GA in 2000, my host was kicked (full on, the stall broke the brunt of it thank goodness) in the stomach by her horse. Fortunately, she was fine (ok maybe because I lack experience and perhaps this was less serious than I thought) but we definitely made her get a basic exam from her doctor friend to at least make sure her organs were intact.

#3. I have worked at a vet school for 6 years and virtually every year, there is at least 1 serious incident involving large animals (broken knee caps, arms, etc). Also, one of my mentors worked as a large animal vet in MT and told me about the dangers of large animal med and that it is a veterinary specialty that should be pursued with serious caution.

That being said, I defer to those of you who have lifelong experience with large animals. Please understand that I am just writing to express the information that I have gathered from listening to others. My post is only intended to make other pre-vets/vets think a little bit. Heck, I may be the next equine vet for all I know...but at least I know I'm going into it having listened to my predecessors.

 

[dvm'08]

...

That being said, I defer to those of you who have lifelong experience with large animals. Please understand that I am just writing to express the information that I have gathered from listening to others. My post is only intended to make other pre-vets/vets think a little bit. Heck, I may be the next equine vet for all I know...but at least I know I'm going into it having listened to my predecessors.

One of the pro's I knew a few years ago (she was an international rider - competed at spruce etc., a very experienced rider), had a stallion in her barn that was kicking up a fuss - climbing the walls, being a general ass - so she went into the stall to smarten him up and try and calm him down...

she was killed.

enough said.

 

[Brighton]

One of the pro's I knew a few years ago (she was an international rider - competed at spruce etc., a very experienced rider), had a stallion in her barn that was kicking up a fuss - climbing the walls, being a general ass - so she went into the stall to smarten him up and try and calm him down...

she was killed.

enough said.

I was kicked by a UNH horse in 2002. I had ridden him that day and he was a royal PITA. He had already stepped on and rebroken my foot (the first horse that broke it turned to look at something and ground it into the dirt- total accident, he was a sweetie) that day. I forgot to take off his halter in the paddock and went back for it. I had been riding for 12 years at this point and dealt with much worse horses. He gave me absolutely no warning (ears pricked, walking calmly towards me) when he whipped around and nailed me with both hind feet, one landing on my ribcage and the other on my upper arm. The only reason that he didn't lop off my head was because I saw the soles of hooves and turned to run. I got one foot off the ground before I was sent flying 10 ft.

I shattered my spleen (but miraculously I was under 20 and healthy so it clamped itself off and made a sort of jello-mold) and broke two ribs. My upper arm was black (but not broken) and I had a HOOF PRINT on my body that the nurses found fascinating. I missed the whole semester of school because I was in ICU for three days and spent the remainder of the week in the main hospital with another week of being allowed to do NOTHING. I wanted to die much of the month after from the pain that even Percocet hardly touched.

The worst part was the "friends" who said I "provoked" the horse to kick me. 😡 I've worked with hundreds of scared auction horses in very close quarters and have never been kicked or bitten before.

I was incredibly gun shy for a long time and had horrible nightmares about it. I did heal in half the time expected, though, and returned to school the next semester to finish my degree in 7 semesters. I'll be attending Tufts in the fall and I am still strongly leaning towards a career in equine medicine.

 

[Iain]

I think horses are inherently dangerous - mostly because of their size, and their mannerisms. These risks can be dramatically decreased by proper horsemanship, which I believe is lacking beyond belief at the barns here in Socal.

**BE WARNED ABOUT TO RANT**

I think we are unfortunately at a point where the blind is leading the blind. The quality of trainers in my area is appalling - I have yet to find one I think is a good hand with the horses; they solve problems with gadgets and not training, I have never seen one work from the ground up, they epitomize the riding school attitude (treat everything as if it is stubborn, and needs to be bullied), but the thing that gets me is 'THEY JUST MAKE EXCUSE AFTER EXCUSE!!' I make no excuses.

Unfortunately we are at the point where the majority of horses are behaving badly - which is where the danger occurs.

Someone mentioned about being kicked while catching a horse in the field - how many people insist their horses stand still as they approach them, or in the stable?? It is a ground rule of mine - I am not pointing fingers, I am the only person I know who insists their horses stand at attention to be caught!!

I see these owners who are spending $400-$1000 for their horse just battling their horse everyday. I personally do not see how that is fun - I would sell it!! With any horse I work my biggest rule is good behavior and good basics - with them they will always be able to find a good loving home!!!

I just wish people worked more with their horses on the ground, wore helmets, bought horses who were suitable for them, bred from proper criteria etc - although even with the best horses and exceptional horsemanship accidents can happen there is a lot of basic things we can do to make them safer!!

 

[HorseyVet]

I just wish people worked more with their horses on the ground, wore helmets, bought horses who were suitable for them, bred from proper criteria etc - although even with the best horses and exceptional horsemanship accidents can happen there is a lot of basic things we can do to make them safer!!

More often then not people seem to get very over-extended on their horses...either with time or money. It's really hard to get a lot of people to do very basic things. I know a boarding barn manager that's been trying to get people to follow simple rules, like stop feeding horses in x-ties for years....really unless you have the ability to throw people out for rule breaking rules will be broken.

Right now with the breeding season and all, my pet peeve is treating all these foals that no one has laid a hand on yet. The yearlings from last year are worse b/c whatever manners they had have been lost b/c whoever was working with them is now fussing over foals and foaling....it's just sort of the way things go.

It all kind of goes back to the fact that some people aren't exactly prepared for pet ownership...you see it just as much with small animal, except there usually whatever mistakes the owners have made impacting behavior can be dealt with a little more easily and safely.

 

[Brighton]

I think horses are inherently dangerous - mostly because of their size, and their mannerisms. These risks can be dramatically decreased by proper horsemanship, which I believe is lacking beyond belief at the barns here in Socal.

**BE WARNED ABOUT TO RANT**

I think we are unfortunately at a point where the blind is leading the blind. The quality of trainers in my area is appalling - I have yet to find one I think is a good hand with the horses; they solve problems with gadgets and not training, I have never seen one work from the ground up, they epitomize the riding school attitude (treat everything as if it is stubborn, and needs to be bullied), but the thing that gets me is 'THEY JUST MAKE EXCUSE AFTER EXCUSE!!' I make no excuses.

Unfortunately we are at the point where the majority of horses are behaving badly - which is where the danger occurs.

Someone mentioned about being kicked while catching a horse in the field - how many people insist their horses stand still as they approach them, or in the stable?? It is a ground rule of mine - I am not pointing fingers, I am the only person I know who insists their horses stand at attention to be caught!!

I see these owners who are spending $400-$1000 for their horse just battling their horse everyday. I personally do not see how that is fun - I would sell it!! With any horse I work my biggest rule is good behavior and good basics - with them they will always be able to find a good loving home!!!

I just wish people worked more with their horses on the ground, wore helmets, bought horses who were suitable for them, bred from proper criteria etc - although even with the best horses and exceptional horsemanship accidents can happen there is a lot of basic things we can do to make them safer!!

I completely agree with you (I was the one kicked in the field). I told the assistant dean that the horse had a respect problem and needed one-on-one attention with ground manners. I have a friend who lets her horse push her around all the time and it's gotten to the point where he's broken her dog's jaw and kicked her in the knee while dismounted on the trail. I gave my friend Clinton Anderson's book on ground work and she finally agreed that her horse could use some help because she kept thinking about selling him. I wish riding schools would/could spend the time to teach proper ground manners before tossing everyone and their brother on their horses.

 

[cows_go_moo]

This thread brings up many good points about working with large animals. Whether or not you agree with everything or any thing on this thread, most of these posts offer good advice. Particularly since clients may not be completely forthcoming on the disposition of their horse or cow or bull. Understanding or at least being aware of the potential to create a false sense of security when working with and not getting hurt by large animals exists is important, particularly if you have never been badly injured. I have worked with cattle, horses, and pigs, and have been fortunate not to sustain any serious injuries from them. Though a cattle shoot and a couple of fences have mangled me. Despite not being seriously hurt, there is always this little thought in the back of my mind that to quote a friend “when you work with horses, it’s not if, but when and how bad you get hurt.”


Speaking of animal related injuries:
I got a kick out of one of the medical forms for Davis... it asked have you ever contracted a disease or been injured by an animal (include bites, scratches, needle sticks etc.)
Um… who in this field hasn’t been bit, scratched, bucked off, stepped on, or some how otherwise injured by an animal? This is going to require additional pages.
(I called on this they only want to know about injuries that required medical attention.)

 

[weeziefive]

Well...I was debating whether or not to say anything, but since my friends have gotten such a kick over it the past years I thought I would spill. Once working with diarrhea calves during a necropsy I contracted cryptosporidium.

For those of you who have ever had the flu. This was like 100% worse. I couldnt eat nor drink and I lost 20 lbs in two weeks. I even had my o-chem professor questioning whether or not I was pregnant because my sudden rushes out of the classroom. That was a great coversation to have with a professor.

So as for bites, kicks amd scracthes yeah I have had plenty of those, but this one is ranked number one on my list.

Moral of the story
1) I washed my hands (so your bet is as good as mine as my oral route of transmission)
2) Try to close your mouth when you are performing necropsies (you never know).
3) We can become very irresponsible when handling animals, so dont take for granted that they are just animals and you dont have to worry about transmitting diseases.

 

[hkfuturevet1126]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I'm a pre-vet student at UVM, just finished my freshman year.

And just to add some interesting small animal stories, I worked with a vet in high school for two and a half years and was able to do a lot of things there (assist in surgery, restraint, give subcutaneous injections and fluids, etc.). Once I was scratched all the way up the arm by a cat I was giving an injectable antibiotic to. Also, I almost was bitten in the neck by a rottweiler (she was up on the table and turned around when she snapped, I jumped just in time). And to round it out, I was very nearly given a tummy tuck by a trained German Shepherd. Now I'm working at another larger small animal clinic with five vets, I've only been there a week. No stories from there as of yet!

It's not only the large animals that can give you something to think about!!

Looking forward to posting with all of you in the future.

-Heather-

 

[Badtz-Mawu]

I'm not pre-vet, but I do have a lot of volunteer experience working with animals. I used to be a medical services volunteer at a local wildlife rehabilitation center, and at that time of year we had a lot of injured egrets at the center. One day I had to give some baytril to one of the egrets outside, a full-fledged adult with a broken wing. I had the bird restrained and was in the process of giving the bird the pill when it started freaking out and striking out at me. I lost my grip and the next thing I know I feel a sharp pain coming from my head. I asked the other volunteer who was with me "Am I bleeding?" (after a string of curses) but as I said that I felt blood streaming down my face. Apparently the bird struck first at my goggles in an attempt to strike at my eyes, but its beak slid from the goggles to my forehead. It took forever to stop the bleeding, but it wasn't a very deep wound luckily. It's not everyday you can say "I just got speared in the head by an egret"!

 

[equineaggiegal]

This is a great forum, I just found it tonight. I guess I will just JUMP in. I love sharing "war stories."

I worked for mix practice for close to 3 years but rode horses all my life. I've been hurt plenty of times by horses but mostly it was my fault for not being careful. I too am more wigged out by cats- dont trust them. Had one lose 2 claws in me on time while trying to draw blood... but thats another story. And the vets thought it was funny one time to let me do a yearly on this really pretty blue eyed cat (right after I started). I open the cage and then all of a sudden the cat's eyes turned bright red and lunged at me. HOLLY COW I ABOUT PISSED IN MY PANTS!! That little furball took a nice chunck of flesh out of my arm. It was sight to been seen but improved my reflexes. I turn around and heared delighted chuckles coming from behind the door. I was set up

One of the vets I worked with was almost crushed to death by a horse that fell on him in a freak accident. The details are some what sketchy on what happened bc he doesn’t remember a thing. It as a late night colic call and we know he drugged the horse and we think it stumbled/lost its balance and landed on top of him (they had him on the washrack for whatever reason). The owner had been with the doc but ran back to the truck for something when the owner heard a thud, then a loud groan. The doc was knock out cold and had to be rushed to the ER. The horse broke his pelvis which caused internal bleeding and I think he broke his wrist too but I cant remember. He also had a pretty nasty laceration on his face. I know he spent a few days in ICU and required surgery and physical therapy. It was bad enough he almost stopped practicing.

Oh and I saw a pit-bull maul a vet tech once. She needed something like 20-30 stitches on her face. I thought the dog was going to kill her, never seen anything like it.

I have so many stories I should write a book 🙂

Awww the joys of working with animals

 

[HorseyVet]

I turn around and heared delighted chuckles coming from behind the door. I was set up

Something similar happened to me years ago...."why don't you go help Dr. X with Mrs. such-and-such's cat...." I walk in....there is poo, urine, blood and fur all over the room....the cat has somehow gotten on top of one of the cabinets...it had apparently run up either the vet or the owner and jumped from their head....only after of course leaving as much of itself in the room as possible....the cilent had only been in there for a few minutes...apparently this was the norm with this cat...and I believe poor Dr. X was Mrs. Such-and-such's friend so he was always charged with dealing with the cat....

It's always funny how psychotic cats get (and which are or are not psychotic). My grandmother had a very well behaved at home cat that was a terror at the vets, so bad she'd make them cookies etc to compensate...but the local stray she took care of, who barely had any ears left he'd been in so many cat fights, always acted like an angel.....

I think cats are generally easy enought to restrain, but there seems to very few ways to get an angry cat out of a deep cage without some blood and hair a flying

 

[birdvet2006]

I think cats are generally easy enough to restrain, but there seems to very few ways to get an angry cat out of a deep cage without some blood and hair a flying

I disagree. Use a snare, thick leather gloves, or a thick blanket (or combination of all 3).

I actually feel really sorry for all the cats that freak out. I think it's an instinctive thing for them in reaction to fear - they need to protect themselves. One of my own cats gets a tad bit fractious at the vet's, but is the nicest boy at home.

Here's a story for you all though. In my 1st year "small animal handling" demonstration they used a known-to-be-fractious cat. Well, it basically shredded the professor! It was funny and horrible at the same time.