Introduction to Veterinary Behavioral Medicine

Animals are a big business in the U.S. (T/F)

True

Which animals generate the most revenue?

Dogs and cats

Dogs are more omnivorous than their wolf ancestors due to domestication/living around humans. (T/F)

True

What areas of the brain are modified in domesticated animals and how does that relate to increase omnivorous activity?

Hypothalamus, controlling the endocrine and nervous system

Wider range of food availability means increased energy for changes in brain

Epigenetics

The concept that environmental factors can either permanently switch genes on or off, can be inherited

What is one of the major factors linked to epigenetic changes in offspring?

Stress in the dam and sire, especially during pregnancy

What are the factors affecting behavior?

Genetics

Epigenetics

Learning

Environment

Mood

What role does urbanization play in behavior?

Animals placed in unnatural environments limit them from performing natural behaviors in the right context

Animals are either housed to too large of groups or do not have enough interaction to be properly socialized

What percentage of the US population is 3 generations off the farm?

95%

Why is it an issue that many people do not get to see animals’ natural behaviors in natural context?

They do not understand what normal behavior looks like and therefore cannot point out abnormal

Animals only learn during training (T/F)

False

All learning is based on what?

Reinforcement, guides whether an animal will repeat or stop a behavior.

Which animals show the most instances of reported undesirable behavior?

Cats

Anima behavior

How an animal acts in any given context

What are reasons that a behavior could be considered inappropriate?

Out of context

Excessive

Not occurring when it should

Behavior problems do not mimic medical problems and medical issues should not be considered in behavior cases (T/F)

False

If a behavior problem cannot be fixed with behavior modification it is most likely a ______ _______

Medical condition

Some behavior problems need ____ _____

Drug therapy

Why is mishandling an issue within veterinary care?

Animal will grow more fearful and difficult (dangerous for vet staff) and owners are hesitant to bring the animal back

Behavior problems are the largest _____ and _____ threat to pets

Health

Longevity

Behavior is a public health issues (T/F)

True

Dog bite incidents have increased in the past few years (T/F)

True

______ veterinarians have the highest injury rate

Equine

Behavior problems can be a “____ _____”

Terminal disease

Ineffective laws regarding animal behavior at worst do not function and cause no harm to animals, owners, or public (T/F)

False

What issues are the most common complaint lawmakers receive?

Animal-related

When animals perform an unwanted behavior it is often because they though it was the ______ choice at the time

Appropriate

Animals obey only when they ________ what is being asked of them, and unless _____ a new response they are unlikely to change

understand

Taught

What are some reasons an animal may not respond to a command

There is a competing emotion or stimulus that overpowers desire to follow command

Owners do not understand how to communicate with their animal

The animal doesn’t understand what is being asked

What is the best way to correct a behavior?

Prevention, putting measures in place to stop it before it can occur

Owner education is not important as they are able to get resources from searching online (T/F)

False, offer handouts from trusted sources

What are great ways as a veterinarian you can get ahead of behavior problems?

Ask about unwanted behaviors at physical exams

Offer questionnaires

Offer handouts when owners adopt new animals

Encourage proper socialization

Utilize fear free practices

When an animal presents for a behavior issue there is no need to do an extensive physical work up or history as the owner only mentioned a single behavior (T/F)

False

The goal is not to “___ ____” disease or behavior it is to determine ________ between them

“Rule out”

Interrelations

“Behaviorist” is a protected term that requires certain education to obtain (T/F)

False

Why is it important to follow up with owners?

May Ned modify animal and owner behavior

Recommendations may need to be tweaked

Prevents owner from becoming discouraged