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cat’s behavior puts the pet, people or other animals at between the behavior professional and client along with
VetBooks.ir serious risk of injury. A frank discussion regarding risk periodic recheck appointments are essential to ensure
that the treatment plan is successful or, if not, to adjust the
assessment and realistic prognosis may be necessary
before the client invests time, money, and emotional
effort in treating their pet’s behavior. recommendations accordingly.
An in‐depth discussion of risk assessment is beyond
the scope of this chapter but is addressed in several Conclusion
behavioral texts (see Further Reading).
Prognosis depends on the individual case but is usu- The goals of both behavioral and internal medicine are
ally guarded since most behavior problems cannot the same: establish a diagnosis and alleviate clinical
be “cured.” Abnormal behavior problems not due to signs of the disease. When behavioral issues complicate
physical illness are caused by emotional and/or neuro- physical illness or vice versa, diagnosis and treatment
chemical disease states that cannot be fully eliminated. will not be successful without identifying and address-
The goal of treatment is remission – management of the ing both. Once a behavioral cause has been established,
behavior and reduction in symptom severity and fre- veterinarians must be prepared to triage these cases and
quency such that the pet and client have an improved provide the clients with short‐term recommendations
quality of life. and referral to the appropriate behavior professional.
In most situations, consulting with a behavior profes- This multidisciplinary approach addresses both the
sional and compliance with a behavior modification plan physical and behavioral components of the disease pro-
will improve the pet’s behavior. The veterinarian or behav- cess and provides the best prognosis for successful reso-
ior professional should establish reasonable short‐term lution of clinical signs, thus improving the quality of life
and long‐term goals for the pet. Ongoing communication for the pet and client.

Further Reading

American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. Decoding Landsberg GM, Horwitz DF, eds. Practical applications
Your Dog. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014. and new perspectives in veterinary behavior.
Crowell‐Davis SL, Murray T de Souza Dantas LM Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2008;
Veterinary Psychopharmacology. 2nd Ed. Ames, IA: 38(5): 937–1172.
Blackwell Publishing, 2019. Landsberg GM, Tynes VV, eds. Behavior: a guide for
Hart BL, Hart LA, Bain MJ. Canine and Feline practitioners. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract
Behavioral Therapy, 2nd edn. Ames, IA: Blackwell 2014; 44(3): 379–644.
Publishing, 2006. Landsberg G, Hunthausen W, Ackerman L. Behavior
Herron ME, Shofer FS, & Reisner IR. Survey of the use and Problems of the Dog and Cat, 3rd edn. Philadelphia, PA:
outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational Saunders Elsevier, 2013.
training methods in client-owned dogs showing Plumb DC Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook. 8th
undesired behaviors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science Ed.,Ames, IA: Blackwell Publishing, 2015.
2019; 117(1-2), 47–54. Rodan I, Heath, S Feline behavioral health and welfare.
Horwitz DF. Differences and similarities between behavior Elsevier Health Sciences, 2015.
and internal medicine. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000; Salman MD, Hutchison J, Ruch‐Gallie R, et al.
217(9): 1372–6. Behavioral reasons for relinquishment of dogs and cats to
Horwitz DF, Mills DS. BSAVA Manual of Canine and 12 shelters. J Appl Anim Welfare Sci 2000; 3(2): 93–106.
Feline Behavioural Medicine, 2nd edn. Gloucester, UK: Stelow E, eds. Behavior as an illness indicator. Vet Clin
British Small Animal Veterinary Association, 2010. North Am Small Anim Pract 2018; 48(3): 339–496.
Horwitz DF, . Blackwell’s Five Minute Veterinary Consult Waechter RA. Unusual reaction to acepromazine maleate
Clinical Companion Canine and Feline Behavior. 2nd Ed. in the dog. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Ames, IA: Blackwell Publishing, 2018. Association, 1982; 180(1), 73–74.