Behavioral medicine is a formal specialty within veterinary science that treats conditions like separation anxiety, phobias, and compulsive disorders. This field acknowledges that the brain is an organ that can suffer from pathology just like the heart or kidneys. Veterinary behaviorists use a combination of:
A cat that suddenly stops jumping onto counters may be suffering from arthritis. A dog that becomes uncharacteristically aggressive may be dealing with dental pain or a neurological issue.
Veterinary science also looks at behavior through the lens of public health. Behavioral issues are the leading cause of "relinquishment"—the surrendering of pets to shelters. By addressing aggression or house-soiling through a scientific lens, veterinarians help maintain the human-animal bond, keeping pets in homes and reducing the stray population.
Behavioral medicine is a formal specialty within veterinary science that treats conditions like separation anxiety, phobias, and compulsive disorders. This field acknowledges that the brain is an organ that can suffer from pathology just like the heart or kidneys. Veterinary behaviorists use a combination of:
A cat that suddenly stops jumping onto counters may be suffering from arthritis. A dog that becomes uncharacteristically aggressive may be dealing with dental pain or a neurological issue.
Veterinary science also looks at behavior through the lens of public health. Behavioral issues are the leading cause of "relinquishment"—the surrendering of pets to shelters. By addressing aggression or house-soiling through a scientific lens, veterinarians help maintain the human-animal bond, keeping pets in homes and reducing the stray population.
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