Nosocomial infections are a growing concern in veterinary hospitals, and identifying fomites is imperative to reducing the risk of pathogen transmission. In veterinary medicine, shaving of hair is necessary prior to many procedures. Contaminated clipper blades have been cited as potential fomites involved in the transmission of pathogens in veterinary and human medicine. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate bacterial contamination of clipper blades in veterinary practices. A secondary goal was to assess whether there was an association between bacterial contamination of clipper blades and clipper blade cleaning solutions, clipper blade cleaning protocols, clipper blade storage, and type of practice. Sixty clipper blades from 60 different practices were cultured. Information regarding blade cleaning solutions, protocols, and storage was collected from each practice. Fifty-one percent (31/60) of clipper blades sampled were contaminated with bacteria. Category of cleaning solutions had a significant association with bacterial contamination (P < 0.02). Cleaning frequency (P = 0.55), storage location (P = 0.26), and practice type (P = 0.06) had no significant association with bacterial contamination. This study documented bacterial contamination of clipper blades in veterinary practices, and clipper blades should be considered potential fomites.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
March/April 2016
Original Studies|
March 01 2016
Evaluation of Bacterial Contamination of Clipper Blades in Small Animal Private Practice
Rebecca Mount, DVM, DACVD;
Rebecca Mount, DVM, DACVD
From Dermatology for Animals, Albuquerque, NM (R.M.); Dermatology for Animals, Gilbert, AZ (A.E.S., T.P.L.); and Dermatology for Animals, Tucson, AZ (H.M.N.).
Search for other works by this author on:
Anthea E. Schick, DVM, DACVD;
Anthea E. Schick, DVM, DACVD
From Dermatology for Animals, Albuquerque, NM (R.M.); Dermatology for Animals, Gilbert, AZ (A.E.S., T.P.L.); and Dermatology for Animals, Tucson, AZ (H.M.N.).
Search for other works by this author on:
Thomas P. Lewis, II, DVM, DACVD;
Thomas P. Lewis, II, DVM, DACVD
From Dermatology for Animals, Albuquerque, NM (R.M.); Dermatology for Animals, Gilbert, AZ (A.E.S., T.P.L.); and Dermatology for Animals, Tucson, AZ (H.M.N.).
Search for other works by this author on:
Heide M. Newton, JD, DVM, DACVD
Heide M. Newton, JD, DVM, DACVD
From Dermatology for Animals, Albuquerque, NM (R.M.); Dermatology for Animals, Gilbert, AZ (A.E.S., T.P.L.); and Dermatology for Animals, Tucson, AZ (H.M.N.).
Search for other works by this author on:
J Am Anim Hosp Assoc (2016) 52 (2): 95–101.
Citation
Rebecca Mount, Anthea E. Schick, Thomas P. Lewis, Heide M. Newton; Evaluation of Bacterial Contamination of Clipper Blades in Small Animal Private Practice. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1 March 2016; 52 (2): 95–101. doi: https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6355
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Sign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionCiting articles via
Long-Term Survival of Primary Intracranial Histiocytic Sarcoma Through Surgical Resection and Low-Dose CCNU
Kyosuke Hidari, DVM, Yuya Nakamoto, DVM, PhD, James K. Chambers, DVM, PhD, Kazuyuki Uchida, DVM, PhD, Isao Mori, DVM, Miwa Nakamoto, DVM
Microfilaria in the Urine of a Dog with Concurrent Urinary Bladder Sarcoma
Nicole Schlette, DVM, Erin Burton, DVM, MS, DACVP, Amber Harris, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine), Kendall Langsten, DVM, DACVP, Erik Olson, DVM, PhD, DACVP, Daniel Heinrich, DVM, DACVP
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia with Central Nervous System Involvement in a Dog
Ilaria Tartari, DVM, Fabio Tocco, DVM, Giorgio Cancedda, DVM, Veronica Angioni, DVM, Marco Podda, DVM, Antonella Gallucci, DVM, PhD, DECVN, EBVS
Treatment Outcomes of Canine Orbital Meningiomas in Seven Cases
Akihiro Uno, DVM, Ryota Iwasaki, DVM, PhD, Takashi Mori, DVM, PhD
Transient Hypoadrenocorticism in a 7-Week-Old Kitten
Alba Planas Vintro, BVM, Linda G. Martin, DVM, MS, DACVECC, Cassidy L. Cordon, DVM, Sabrina N. Hoehne, Dr. med. vet., DACVECC, DECVECC, Elizabeth B. Davidow, DVM, DACVECC