Normal Animal Behaviour Flashcards
Normal behaviour
is that expected of physically & psychologically healthy animals
Importance of animal behaviour in
veterinary medicine
1) Evaluating animal welfare
2) Using behaviour (e.g., sickness behaviour) to diagnose disease
3) When handling animals
Promoting own safety as well as safety of the animals
(4) Addressing behavioural problems)
abnormal behaviour
represents any activity outside the normal behaviour pattern for animals of a particular species or age.
Stereotypies
Most well known class of abnormal behaviours
“Fixed sequences of behaviour…which are performed over and over again in the same way and which have no obvious function.” (Manning and Dawkins, p. 249)
- Typically result from confinement
- Distinctive,somewhatobvious behavioural signal that something is wrong: can be useful in welfare assessment
Stereotypies can be useful welfare indicators. Most can either cause or indicate a welfare problem
AND YET…
1) Stereotypies may be used as ‘coping’ strategies • Can sometimes improve welfare
2) Stereotypic behaviour becomes self-reinforcing and continues even if the environment changes
3) Stereotypies may transmitted through observation of conspecifics ➢May indicate no past or present welfare issue!
natural behaviour
mean those behavioural elements and their sequences that are adaptive, i.e., that have evolved…to increase the [animal’s] fitness
Domestication involves genetic modification, with changes in:
Morphology (shape, colour etc) & Function
• Behaviour (though some behaviours haven’t changed much)
Animals in pain may
• Be more aggressive (e.g., biting) OR be more dormant/withdrawn
• Walk differently (e.g., favour limbs)
• Change long-term behaviour patterns (e.g
feeding behaviour)
• Vocalise more in a specific (pain-related) pattern
• Show no obvious signs (prey species may appear more vulnerable if they show they are weaker or compromised)
Sickness Behaviour
Sickness behaviour: “a category of adaptive responses to infection” (Hart, 1988). A suite of behavioural responses designed to enhance survival through a reduction in energy demand (fever, reduced appetite, drowsiness, fatigue, anhedonia, etc)
• Very common for illness in animals to first be manifested as behaviour
• Those who practice the “art” of veterinary science understand the interface between illness and behavioural indicators
Behaviours can be involved in disease identification and diagnosis but also in
disease susceptibility and in disease transmission
Some reasons why dogs might lick their lips
• As a gesture of appeasement • Out of confusion or frustration • Out of stress or discomfort • Due to dental disease, mouth pain, etc • Other health issues
Large animal safety tips
Most large animals can see at wide angles
• Blind spot behind hindquarters
• Movement in blind spot may make animal uneasy
• “Announce” your approach via a touch to their front/side
• Cows kick in an arch beginning at the front as shown; avoid region
• Use facilities designed for separating/handling large animals
• Leave yourself a way to get out
• Always better to be safe if you don’t feel comfortable
Benefits of “firm but gentle” handling
1) Providing human clients/owners with confidence in handling abilities; enhance relationship with client
- Client may not have necessary knowledge to critically assess vet diagnosis/treatment; much easier (more salient) to judge vet’s ability based upon animal handling skills.
(These skills can only be refined through ongoing practice!)
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Benefits of “firm but gentle” handling
2) Skilful handling can enhance the compromised patient’s ability to cope
3) Proper animal handling techniques can facilitate or allow correct interpretation of diagnostic parameters
One Welfare
Concept highlights interconnections between animal welfare, human wellbeing, and the integrity of the environment.
Fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to improve human and animal welfare internationally.
Improving animal welfare often improves human welfare (and vice versa)
