European School for Advanced Veterinary Studies
Clinical Case Management – Behavioural Medicine
5 live sessions
Management success in behavioural medicine – case oriented approach
5 sessions of this online series will feature a blended approach of lectures and case-based discussions and will delve into the fundamental aspects of animal behaviour and welfare as applied to clinical practice. Dr. Stefania Uccheddu (Dipl. ECAWBM) will share her expertise, so that the participants can use it in their daily practice.
Key Focus Areas:
1. Ethological Principles: Exploration of core principles relevant to veterinarians, with a focus on caregiver education and welfare promotion.
2. Multidisciplinary Approach: Integration of behavioural medicine within evidence-based clinical care.
The full series consists of 5 online case discussion sessions, each of 90 minutes. The cases will be released in advance as a PDF or PP and will be interactively discussed in a live format. An open forum will be set up for any questions and discussion for 1 week after each session. The number of participants is limited to provide optimal interaction.
05
November
2025
Virtual Event
Age-related behavioural changes in companion animals are often misattributed to simple ageing. However, cognitive, sensory, emotional, and physical decline may manifest as subtle or overt behavioural shifts, requiring careful clinical evaluation.
Aims:
• To challenge assumptions about behavioural changes in ageing pets.
• To introduce the concept of cognitive decline, pain-related behaviours, and emotional comorbidities in senior animals.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Differentiate between normal ageing and pathological behavioural presentations in senior dogs and cats.
• Identify early signs of cognitive dysfunction and chronic discomfort.
• Communicate effectively with caregivers about the needs of ageing pets.
Behavioural Medicine, Session 1
Behavioural Medicine, Session 1
Beyond Ageing – Understanding Behavioural Changes in Senior Pets
Age-related behavioural changes in companion animals are often misattributed to simple ageing. However, cognitive, sensory, emotional, and physical decline may manifest as subtle or overt behavioural shifts, requiring careful clinical evaluation.
Aims:
• To challenge assumptions about behavioural changes in ageing pets.
• To introduce the concept of cognitive decline, pain-related behaviours, and emotional comorbidities in senior animals.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Differentiate between normal ageing and pathological behavioural presentations in senior dogs and cats.
• Identify early signs of cognitive dysfunction and chronic discomfort.
• Communicate effectively with caregivers about the needs of ageing pets.
10
December
2025
Virtual Event
Obesity is a complex, multifactorial condition often influenced by behavioural and emotional factors. Recognizing the behavioural components behind feeding patterns, caregiver interactions, and environmental enrichment is essential for effective management.
Aims:
• To explore the bidirectional relationship between behaviour and obesity.
• To integrate behavioural assessment into obesity prevention and treatment protocols.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Identify behavioural contributors to excessive weight gain.
• Implement behavioural modification strategies in obesity management.
• Design individualized obesity prevention plans addressing emotional and environmental triggers.
Behavioural Medicine, Session 2
Behavioural Medicine, Session 2
The Behavioural Dimensions of Obesity in Dogs and Cats
Obesity is a complex, multifactorial condition often influenced by behavioural and emotional factors. Recognizing the behavioural components behind feeding patterns, caregiver interactions, and environmental enrichment is essential for effective management.
Aims:
• To explore the bidirectional relationship between behaviour and obesity.
• To integrate behavioural assessment into obesity prevention and treatment protocols.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Identify behavioural contributors to excessive weight gain.
• Implement behavioural modification strategies in obesity management.
• Design individualized obesity prevention plans addressing emotional and environmental triggers.
07
January
2026
Virtual Event
Surgical and hospitalization experiences can be highly stressful for pets, with long-lasting behavioural consequences. Preemptive behavioural assessment and planning are key to reducing procedural distress and improving recovery outcomes.
Aims:
• To highlight the impact of pre-, peri-, and post-operative stress on animal welfare.
• To promote collaboration between behavioural specialists and clinicians in surgical planning.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Conduct behavioural risk assessments prior to hospitalization or surgery.
• Implement low-stress handling techniques and pre-hospital behavioural interventions.
• Anticipate and mitigate post-hospitalization behavioural sequelae.
Behavioural Medicine, Session 3
Behavioural Medicine, Session 3
Behavioural Considerations in Surgical and Hospital Settings
Surgical and hospitalization experiences can be highly stressful for pets, with long-lasting behavioural consequences. Preemptive behavioural assessment and planning are key to reducing procedural distress and improving recovery outcomes.
Aims:
• To highlight the impact of pre-, peri-, and post-operative stress on animal welfare.
• To promote collaboration between behavioural specialists and clinicians in surgical planning.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Conduct behavioural risk assessments prior to hospitalization or surgery.
• Implement low-stress handling techniques and pre-hospital behavioural interventions.
• Anticipate and mitigate post-hospitalization behavioural sequelae.
04
February
2026
Virtual Event
The intersection of dermatology and behavioural medicine is increasingly evident in clinical practice. Chronic pruritus, but also overgrooming, and self-mutilation often have behavioural or emotional underpinnings, necessitating an integrated diagnostic approach.
Aims:
• To understand the behavioural contributors to dermatological presentations.
• To apply psychodermatological principles in diagnosis and treatment.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Recognize behavioural signs contributing to or resulting from dermatological conditions.
• Integrate behavioural therapy into dermatological treatment plans.
• Educate caregivers on the emotional components of skin-related disorders.
Behavioural Medicine, Session 4
Behavioural Medicine, Session 4
Psychodermatology – When Skin Speaks the Mind
The intersection of dermatology and behavioural medicine is increasingly evident in clinical practice. Chronic pruritus, but also overgrooming, and self-mutilation often have behavioural or emotional underpinnings, necessitating an integrated diagnostic approach.
Aims:
• To understand the behavioural contributors to dermatological presentations.
• To apply psychodermatological principles in diagnosis and treatment.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Recognize behavioural signs contributing to or resulting from dermatological conditions.
• Integrate behavioural therapy into dermatological treatment plans.
• Educate caregivers on the emotional components of skin-related disorders.
04
March
2026
Virtual Event
Pain in animals often manifests behaviourally rather than physically, especially in chronic or low-grade conditions. Subtle shifts in posture, reactivity, or interaction patterns may be the only indicators of discomfort, requiring a refined diagnostic lens.
Aims:
• To deepen understanding of pain-related behavioural expressions.
• To improve recognition of non-obvious pain in clinical practice.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Identify atypical behavioural signs of acute and chronic pain.
• Integrate behavioural assessment into pain evaluation protocols.
• Enhance caregiver communication regarding pain recognition and management.
Behavioural Medicine, Session 5
Behavioural Medicine, Session 5
Decoding Pain – Behavioural Indicators Beyond the Obvious
Pain in animals often manifests behaviourally rather than physically, especially in chronic or low-grade conditions. Subtle shifts in posture, reactivity, or interaction patterns may be the only indicators of discomfort, requiring a refined diagnostic lens.
Aims:
• To deepen understanding of pain-related behavioural expressions.
• To improve recognition of non-obvious pain in clinical practice.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Identify atypical behavioural signs of acute and chronic pain.
• Integrate behavioural assessment into pain evaluation protocols.
• Enhance caregiver communication regarding pain recognition and management.