The most advanced veterinary hospitals today no longer silo the "behaviorist" in a separate wing. Instead, the Certified Veterinary Behaviorist sits on rounds with the surgeon and the internist.
Case Study: The Over-Grooming Cat
The diagnosis? Psychogenic alopecia. The treatment? Environmental enrichment and anxiolytic medication, not steroids. free download zooskool 08 knotty and simonel exclusive
You do not need a PhD to apply these principles at home. By understanding the link between animal behavior and veterinary science, you can become a better advocate for your pet.
Cats are both predator and prey. In a loud, dog-smelling clinic, a cat’s instinct is to freeze or explode. Veterinary protocols now include "cat-only" waiting areas and the use of the Feline Grimace Scale, which looks at ear position, whisker tension, and orbital tightening to score pain. The most advanced veterinary hospitals today no longer
Veterinarians have long understood how to treat a broken leg or a dental abscess. But only recently have they begun treating the silent epidemic of chronic stress.
Consider the "guardian angel" dog who follows their owner everywhere. Owners often view this as love. Veterinary behaviorists see a potential case of separation anxiety—a disorder that floods the dog’s system with cortisol. Chronically elevated cortisol suppresses the immune system, causes gastrointestinal ulcers, and even changes brain neurochemistry. The diagnosis
In the past, a vet might treat the resulting diarrhea with medication and send the dog home. Today, a holistic veterinary approach treats the diarrhea and addresses the separation anxiety that caused it. By treating the behavior, you prevent the relapse of the physical disease.