Problem behaviours are often the result of how an animal thinks and feels, genetics and environmental influences. Steering away from just description diagnoses and focusing instead on emotional and cognitive causes, this book provides a practical approach to diagnosing, treating, and managing behaviour pathologies in dogs and cats.
Beginning by addressing cases in the first opinion practice, this book then considers physical disorders that may lead to or exacerbate abnormal behavior. From there, the focus shifts to mental and emotional health, from an assessment of normal behavior and giving juveniles an optimal start in life, to diagnosing mental and emotional disorders, addressing emotions such as anxiety and frustration, and how to manage these issues – by modifying behavior, managing the animal’s environment, training, and, when necessary, the use of medications. The second half of the book then addresses owner concerns, including management problems, aggression, affective disorder, elimination disorder, abnormal and repetitive behaviours and ageing-related problems.
With an emphasis on helping first line veterinarians identify common presentations and offer help to owners, this book:
– Addresses both normal and abnormal behaviour in cats and dogs from an emotion and cognition perspective;
– Provides behaviour modification protocols, and drug doses and indications;
– Includes handouts to be used both within the practice and with clients to help the veterinary surgeon manage the case.
Written by international experts, the book translates their insights and experience into approaches taken in behavioural medicine. Also including the most up-to-date drugs, it is an important resource for both small animal veterinarians and students of veterinary medicine or animal behaviour.
A propos de l’auteur
Helen is a veterinarian, a Diplomat of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine (BM) and a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Recognised Specialist in Behavioural Medicine. She is currently the Head of Professional Development in Canine Behaviour at Dogs Trust where she has responsibility for staff education and professional development in dog behaviour and training. She is also a Visiting Fellow in the School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, UK and an Honorary Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, UK. Helen worked in a range of areas of veterinary medicine before moving into companion animal behaviour in 1998. She has lectured on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and co-developed the University of Lincoln MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour, a programme that she led for a number of years. She has spent many years consulting for pet owners and engaging with research across a range of areas in animal behaviour, learning and cognition. She is a speaker at national and international events, has authored books and book chapters as well as scientific articles and was instrumental in developing the Life Skills for Puppies programme. Over the years Helen has participated and competed in a range of dog sports, although currently she and her dogs prefer more leisurely countryside rambles.