| Normal Behavior | Potential Problem Behavior | What It May Signal | |----------------|----------------------------|--------------------| | Greeting at the door | Hiding or avoiding contact | Pain, nausea, or fever | | Eating eagerly | Leaving food in bowl | Dental disease or organ dysfunction | | Sleeping soundly | Pacing at night | Cognitive decline or hyperthyroidism |
Traditionally, vital signs are:
Welcome to the new age of veterinary science, where understanding why an animal acts the way it does is becoming just as critical as diagnosing what is wrong with it.
Some key areas of study in animal behavior and veterinary science include: