Animal behavior as a subject for veterinary students.

This research article discusses a course in veterinary animal behavior offered at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, detailing the subjects covered and the relevance of the course to veterinary practice.

Course Overview

• The course focuses on the behavior of animals that are of high significance to practicing veterinarians, including cats, dogs, horses, cows, pigs, and sheep.
• It encompasses a variety of vital aspects of animal behavior, including but not limited to dominance hierarchies, animal communication, aggression, sexual behavior, and maternal behavior.
• Other areas of interest covered include play, learning, diurnal activity and sleep cycles, and components that control ingestive behavior.

Special Topics and Expert Inputs

• As part of the course, experts in the field additionally deliver lessons on the behavior of exotic and zoo animals.
• Specific developmental stages of dogs, such as their critical periods, are explored with a focus on how these stages can affect the best management practices for puppies.
• The course also includes an examination of the behavior of feral animals, using dogs and horses as examples.

Emphasis on Veterinary Ethics

• The course highly emphasizes the responsibility of the veterinarian in mitigating animal cruelty. This involves teaching students to recognize signs of pain in animals, which can be crucial in identifying and addressing potential situations of abuse.

Teaching Methodologies

• The course adopts a practical approach wherever possible, incorporating laboratory demonstrations and film studies for observing animal behavior in addition to traditional lectures and discussions.

This course thus equips veterinary students with a comprehensive understanding of animal behavior, fostering both their clinical competence and their capacity for ethical decision-making in practice.