ACVB Veterinary Behavior case studies
ACVB Veterinary Behavior · Put your knowledge to work in context.
Diplomate certification in veterinary behavior is the specialty credential that identifies a veterinarian as a board-certified expert in the diagnosis and treatment of behavior problems in animals. It is pursued by veterinarians who want to move beyond general practice into referral-level behavioral medicine, and it is also relevant to residents in behavior programs and to clinicians who treat complex cases involving anxiety, aggression, compulsive disorders, and cognitive dysfunction. The ACVB Veterinary Behavior case studies are 5 cases and about 4,021 words.
1The Scratching Cat: Integrating Medical and Behavioral Data
A 6-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat is presented for sudden-onset, intense scratching of the walls and furniture in the owner's apartment. The behavior started 3 weeks ago, shortly after the owner brought home a new kitten.
815 words, about 4 min2The Noise-Phobic Dog: When Medication and Behavior Modification Interact
A 4-year-old male neutered Labrador Retriever is presented for severe noise phobia, specifically thunderstorm and fireworks phobia. The owner reports that the dog trembles, pants, paces, and tries to escape during storms.
861 words, about 4 min3The Aggressive Dog: Ethical and Legal Dilemmas
A 3-year-old male neutered Pit Bull Terrier mix is presented for aggression toward the owner's 8-year-old child. The incident occurred when the child approached the dog while it was eating; the dog growled, then snapped, and made contact with the child's hand, causing a superficial puncture wound.
847 words, about 4 min4The Horse That Won't Be Tied: A Case of Equine Stereotypy
A 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding used for dressage is presented for a 6-month history of cribbing (wind-sucking) and weaving. The behavior occurs primarily when the horse is stalled, especially before feeding times.
775 words, about 4 min5The Parrot That Plucks: A Multifactorial Behavioral Disorder
A 5-year-old male African Grey parrot is presented for feather plucking that started 8 months ago. The bird is kept in a cage in the living room, with 2 hours of out-of-cage time daily.
723 words, about 4 min