However, the rise of neurobiology and psychoneuroimmunology has bridged this gap. We now understand that behavior is biology. Aggression is often a symptom of pain. Compulsive tail-chasing can indicate a neurological seizure disorder. Chronic stress (a behavioral state) suppresses the immune system (a medical reality). The realization that has forced the veterinary profession to adapt.
Clinical ethology—the study of animal behavior in a veterinary context—has shifted from a niche interest to a core component of general practice. This change is driven by the understanding that a "healthy" animal is not merely one free of disease, but one that is mentally stimulated and emotionally stable.
The Intersection of Animal Behavior and Veterinary Science: A Holistic Approach to Patient Care
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