Behaviour Problems – Sorting the fact from the fiction

Introducing This Years Speakers

Dr Lorella Notari

RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, Dip. ECAWBM-BM, CCAB

Dr Simon R. Clegg

Phd, MSc, BSc (Hons)

Nutrition for life stages

Mr Isuru Gajanayake Phd, MSc, BSc (Hons)

The nutritional requirements for dogs and cats include both macronutrients (protein, carbohydrate and fat) as well as micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). The requirements for these nutrients can vary between the different life-stages such as growth, adulthood, reproduction and senescence. In this lecture, Isuru will discuss the nutritional requirements of the different life stages and how some of these can influence brain function and behaviour.

Behavioural Side Effects in Everyday Practice: Common Medications, Supplements and Drug Interactions

Dr Lorella Notari RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, Dip. ECAWBM-BM, CCAB

Veterinarians are increasingly aware of the importance of behavioural medicine and animal emotional wellbeing. However, the behavioural effects of medications prescribed for non-behavioural reasons are often not at the forefront of clinical reasoning in everyday practice. Many commonly used drugs and supplements can directly or indirectly influence emotional state, arousal, cognition, social interactions and behavioural expression. In addition, some medications may interact with psychotropic treatments, altering efficacy or increasing the risk of adverse effects. This presentation will review a range of commonly prescribed medications and supplements that may affect behaviour, including drugs used in dermatology, analgesia, gastroenterology and endocrinology, alongside practical considerations regarding behavioural monitoring, drug interactions and owner education.

Gut feelings: Exploring the gut-brain connection

Dr Sarah Heath BVSc PgCertVE DipECAWBM(BM) CCAB FHEA FRCVS
Dr Katherine Clarke BVSc BSAVA PGCertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS

This presentation will explore the fascinating world of the gut-brain axis, learning about how disease in one location can have a negative impact on the other. It will examine how the gut and the brain communicate and how this information can help us support our patients. The presentation will consider practical ways in which consideration of emotional health can be integrated into the investigation of gastrointestinal cases in practice. It will go on to consider how treatment and management of GI cases can incorporate consideration of physical, emotional and cognitive health through a comprehensive veterinary healthcare approach.

Can parasitic life cycles alter the behaviour of hosts?

Dr Simon R. Clegg Phd, MSc, BSc (Hons)

Parasitic infections are common in many animals and humans worldwide. These can have health issues, cause clinical signs, and occasionally deaths, but also have the ability to moderate the behaviour of animals. From Giardia which is common in dirty stagnant water, through Toxoplasma which originates in cats, to other interesting parasites which affect how an animal behaves. Some have a direct impact on how we interact with our pets. Some have zoonotic implications. Some are just plain weird! But in this session we take a wander through the wonderfully weird world of behavioural altering parasites!

Beyond the Genes: Separating Fact from Fiction in Behavioral Epigenetics

Crystal Frost PhD, PGdip, BSc(hons)

T.B.C.