VBS 430   Clinics in Companion Animal Behaviour

Instructor:                     Dr. Norma Guy
Duration of Rotation:    1 week, offered 8 times

Goals of course:
To develop the students' ability to diagnose and effectively manage behaviour problems in companion animals, with an emphasis on species-typical problems, prevention, history-taking, methods of behaviour modification, and treatment of abnormal behaviour.

Content:
The following is a sampling of the topics included in the rotation. Actual content will depend on the particular interests of the students, and cases seen during the rotation week.

-principles of learning and motivation (that are applicable to all species)

-behaviour modification techniques, equipment - this normally includes training sessions with dogs at the PEI Humane Society

-taking a behavioural history

-differentiating physical and psychological causes of problem behaviour

-risk factors for problem behaviour, behaviour counselling as preventive medicine

-common canine behaviour problems

-common feline behaviour problems

-common equine behaviour problems (for students with an interest in horses)

-common psittacine behaviour problems

-abnormal behaviour in animals

-managing the behaviour of hospitalized patients (fear, aggression, anorexia, fatigue)

-behavioural pharmacotherapeutics

Case-based learning opportunities:

-participation in current consultations

-participation in rechecks of on-going cases

-review of case files, case videos

Presentation:
Each student will review and present 1 or 2 papers (depending on group size) from the current literature for discussion by the group.

Evaluation:
Students are evaluated on the following four criteria: preparation for the rotation and knowledge base, participation in cases and discussion, attention to patient records, and their presentation to the group.