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.
For modern veterinarians, behavior is often the first "diagnostic test." Animals cannot verbalize their pain, but they can signal it through behavioral shifts. Clinical ethology—the study of animal behavior in a
Recent advances in animal behavior and veterinary science have transformed our understanding of animal biology and welfare. Some notable examples include: Clinical ethology—the study of animal behavior in a