| | Species | Veterinary Workup | Typical Interventions | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Separation anxiety | Dogs | Rule out cognitive decline, pain, hyperthyroidism | SSRIs, desensitization to departure cues, environmental management | | Inter-cat aggression | Cats | Rule out organic pain, hyperesthesia syndrome | Environmental enrichment, reintroduction protocols, pheromones | | Feather plucking | Parrots | Rule out skin infection, heavy metal toxicity, neoplasia | Foraging enrichment, behavior modification, possibly haloperidol | | Stereotypic pacing | Zoo animals/horses | Rule out neurological disorder, gastric ulcers | Enrichment, dietary change, change in housing |
Veterinary science has traditionally prioritized physiological pathology. However, the emerging field of clinical ethology suggests that an animal’s behavioral state is inseparable from its physical health. In a clinical setting, fear and anxiety are not merely emotional responses; they are biological variables that can confound physical examinations and laboratory results.
