While companion animals dominate public discussion, the marriage of is equally critical in production animal medicine. A veterinarian working with swine, poultry, or cattle must understand behavioral indicators of health and stress.
Veterinary science utilizes behavioral ethology to differentiate between medical and psychological issues. For instance, house soiling in a canine might be interpreted as a training failure by an owner, but a veterinarian trained in behavioral science recognizes it as a potential symptom of a urinary tract infection or cognitive dysfunction syndrome. By reading these behavioral cues, clinicians can reach more accurate diagnoses faster and with less invasive initial testing. The "Fear Free" Movement and Clinical Outcomes