Dr Pru Gardiner & Jess Hyams | This is medical, not behavioural

One of the most common phrases behaviourists hear from vets when referring a case for medical investigation is, "This is behavioural, not medical." However, pain and other underlying medical conditions often play a significant role in problem behaviours, and without thorough investigation, these cases risk being misclassified as purely behavioural.

In reality, truly "ruling out" pain in companion animals is incredibly complex. Unlike humans, they cannot verbalise discomfort, making it essential to consider behavioural indicators of pain carefully. The most effective way to assess whether pain is driving a behavioural issue is through a comprehensive pain trial—one that accounts for different pain pathways and types of discomfort. However, even this approach must be carefully managed, particularly if the animal has concurrent medical conditions such as gastrointestinal issues, which can influence both behaviour and…