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

Distinguishing Features of NAI

Have you seen or experienced any of the following? Yes No

NoResponse

Unexplained injuries 115 (54%) 74 (34%) 25 (12%)

History not consistent with injury 75 (35%) 113 (53%) 26 (12%)

Previous history of unexplained injury/death, with same owner/family 29 (13%) 162 (76%) 23 (11%)

More than one fracture, of differing ages, in the animal 33 (15%) 159 (74%) 22 (10%)

Unexplained old rib fractures 47 (22%) 146 (68%) 21 (10%)

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