The most profound shift in modern veterinary medicine is the recognition that . Just as heart rate, temperature, and respiratory rate tell us about physiological health, changes in behavior often provide the earliest, most critical indicators of underlying disease.
Animal behavior and veterinary science are two sides of the same coin. As we continue to peel back the layers of animal consciousness, the veterinary profession will continue to move toward a more holistic, "whole-animal" approach. By treating the mind as carefully as we treat the body, we ensure a higher quality of life for the creatures that share our world.
Recent advances in animal behavior research have improved our understanding of animal welfare, conservation, and management. For example: