A defining feature of modern animal behavior and veterinary science is the . Rather than treating behavior as a secondary "training" issue, veterinarians now use it as a primary indicator of physical health and welfare. 1. Behavior as a Diagnostic Signal
Journal of Veterinary Behavior | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier A defining feature of modern animal behavior and
| Behavioral Observation | Potential Veterinary Diagnosis | | :--- | :--- | | Sudden house-soiling in a housetrained dog | Urinary tract infection, diabetes, kidney disease, cognitive decline | | Aggression when touched on the back | Flea allergy dermatitis, musculoskeletal pain, spinal tumor | | Excessive grooming (fur mowing) in cats | Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), food allergy, psychogenic alopecia | | Pica (eating non-food items) | Anemia (pica for ice/dirt), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or behavioral stereotypy | Behavior as a Diagnostic Signal Journal of Veterinary