The days of viewing behavior as a luxury topic—something to be discussed only after the physical health is addressed—are over. Animal behavior is physical health. It is the window through which animals communicate their suffering.
By integrating behavioral principles into the physical exam, veterinarians can practice better medicine—increased heart and respiratory rates caused by fear can mask true clinical signs, leading to misdiagnosis. Calming the behavior allows for accurate physiological data. The days of viewing behavior as a luxury