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.