Problem behaviors are often the result of how an animal thinks and feels, genetics, and environmental influences. Steering away from only description diagnoses and focusing instead on emotional and cognitive causes, this book provides a practical approach to diagnosing, treating, and managing behavior pathologies in dogs and cats.
Beginning by addressing cases in the first visit, 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 behaviors and aging-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 behavior in cats and dogs from an emotion and cognition perspective;
- Provides behavior 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 behavioral 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 behavior.
Denenberg, Sagi: - Sagi Denenberg graduated with Excellence in Academic Achievement from the Kosice Veterinary College in Slovakia. He relocated from Israel to Canada in 2003 and passed the North American veterinary licensing examination. Sagi provides behavior consults for owners with their pets including dogs, cats, horses, parrots and other exotic mammals. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine and has passed his members certificate with the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (Veterinary Behavior). Sagi has done a number of behavioral studies including the effects of pheromones on learning and socialization in puppies and a study of play toy preference in cats for which he was awarded the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Excellence in Research Award. He also authored a number of articles and book chapters including the behavior chapters in the Merck Veterinary Manual, senior pet behavior and cognitive decline in the British Small Animal Veterinary Association Manual and more. Sagi is a consultant on the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) providing other veterinarians with advice. In addition to clinical duties Sagi is a frequent speaker at veterinary conferences in Europe and North America.
