Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Evidence-based paradigm shifts in veterinary behavioral medicine.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2019
- Authors:
- Overall, Karen L
Plain-English summary
Recent research in veterinary behavioral medicine is showing that understanding animal behavior can greatly improve the lives of pets and their owners. Unfortunately, much of this important information is published in journals that many veterinarians in private practice may not have easy access to. The article discusses four key areas where current beliefs about animal behavior may not align with the latest findings, including the need for more focus on behavioral issues, how a pet's experiences can lead to fear and stress, the way dogs communicate socially, and the effectiveness of punishment in changing behavior. The authors hope this overview will encourage veterinarians to rethink how they approach and care for their patients.
Abstract
There is now a large body of research in veterinary behavioral medicine that is clinically relevant and could enrich patients' and practitioners' lives. Too often, however, this research is published in journals that may not be readily available to veterinarians in private practice. Four important topics in the area of veterinary behavioral medicine for which belief has not kept pace with the published data are the unmet need for behavioral medicine in veterinary practice, the veterinary experience as a contributor to fear and distress in dogs and cats, social signaling in dogs and the ongoing "dominance" debate, and punishment as an intervention to change behavior. The present article seeks to provide a critical overview of recent research that is shifting existing paradigms on these topics and should alter the way veterinarians observe and care for patients.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30888280/