Intro to Animal Behaviour 2024 PDF

INTRO TO ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR December 2, 2024 Today’s objectives Be able to define behaviour and describe observable behaviours Understand what motivates behaviours Explain the importance of behaviour in vet med and one welfare Review some case studies...

INTRO TO ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR December 2, 2024 Today’s objectives Be able to define behaviour and describe observable behaviours Understand what motivates behaviours Explain the importance of behaviour in vet med and one welfare Review some case studies 2 What is behaviour?  On a most basic level “Anything an organism does involving action and response to stimulation” – Merriam-Webster Dictionary Can be observed and measured Occurs in response to external or internal stimuli Includes conscious/unconscious actions We don’t interpret meaning from it! Some examples of “behaviour” Where does behaviour come from? Motivation (internal/external factors) Behaviour (observable and measurable) Function (behaviour always serves a purpose!) Examples of internal factors Immune function Neurotransmitters Hormones Genetics and epigenetics Source: Dranoff G. Nat Rev Cancer 2004;4:11-22 https://www.merckvetmanual.co m/horse-owners/hormonal- disorders-of-horses/introduction- to-hormonal-disorders-of-horses Examples of external factors Environment Social interactions Training Food Life experience Animal temperament ie; their personality is: A product of genetics and external factors Influences learning through factors such as resilience, impulsivity, and tendency towards other behaviour traits  Symptom of Human safety illness/injury Animal welfare Why does Human-animal animal bond Research behaviour Reproduction matter? Conservation Health and Behaviour: its not one or the other! Behaviour is…. Sometimes a symptom of a health issue: examples? Sometimes an outcome of a health issue: what?! Animals can’t tell you how they feel….except through behaviour! Pain behaviours “Discomfort” Asymmetry Avoidance Resistance Sudden changes in behaviour from the norm Pain and behaviour Animals may not show overt signs of pain →Abnormal/problematic behaviour may be the only signals of a painful condition Changes in appetite, aggression towards humans or other animals, destructiveness, resource guarding, compulsive behaviour, house soiling, But behaviour is not always a direct result of a health issue Discomfort and pain, fatigue, asymmetry, sensations can all contribute to: Increased sensitivity to stressors Generalized emotions Abnormal learning patterns Decreased learning “It’s just behavioural” Vets are still learning about the association between health and behaviour Resistance or avoidance Sudden changes in behaviour (could be that they just can’t cope anymore) Intermittent lameness Irritability with touching Increased sound sensitivity Behaviour is often the first sign of an issue This means that traditional diagnostics don’t “find” the source of an issue Again, behaviour is not always a direct one-one relationship between a cause and the outcome  As animal health professionals… You need to know the repertoire of species-normal behaviours in healthy animals →Deviation from what is “normal” can indicate illness/pain →Can’t always rely on owner report →Questions about behaviour should be part of any vet exam →Owner may seek help with behaviour issue without recognizing health issue Human influence on animal behaviour Humans can influence animal behaviour for better or for worse Management practices Training Veterinary setting Understanding animal behaviour can keep you safe Understanding animal behaviour can keep you safe ~93% of veterinarians report injuries due to animals in first 5 yrs (Whittem, T., Woodward, A.P. and Hoppach, M., 2021. A survey of injuries that occurred in veterinary teaching hospitals during 2017. Journal of veterinary medical education, 48(4), pp.401-416.) A need for understanding learning theory and animal behaviour to decrease risk ( Sherman, B.L. and Serpell, J.A., 2008. Training veterinary students in animal behavior to preserve the human–animal bond. Journal of veterinary medical education, 35(4), pp.496- 502. Doherty O, McGreevy PD, Pearson G. The importance of learning theory and equitation science to the veterinarian. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2017;190:111–22.)  Case study 1: Obsessive behaviour in a puppy Olive 4m old F/S Cavapoo Occasional soft stool – typical of a puppy Clear vet exam Began scratching at the walls in the morning Who does this affect? What factors are involved? Is it a welfare issue? Case study 2: head shaking in a pony 15 yr old Welsh X Pony gelding Competitive hunter/jumper Moved to a new barn Started head tossing about 6m after moving Is this a welfare issue? What factors are involved? Case study 3: feather picking parrot ~12 yr old citron crested cockatoo Rehomed several times Punishment used to address screaming Barren cage other than some wood chews Is this a welfare issue? What factors are involved? Questions?