Veterinary Medicine

When Dr. Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, a cardiologist at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, was first called to examine a chimpanzee with a facial droop, she embarked on a new branch or medicine. She was given the opportunity to assist in the treatment of animals when the opportunity arose and also continue practicing cardiology at UCLA. As she further treated animals with cardiac illnesses, she realized that the conditions that afflicted animals were similar to those that afflicted humans. In fact, animals also experience physiological and mental disorders that are seen in humans, such as postpartum depression, diabetes, cancer etc. To further clarify this point, she described that when treating their animal patients, veterinarians usually …show more content…
Natterson-Horowitz taught me that physicians are no better than any other type of doctor, but are at an equal level to all types of doctors that practice in any area of medicine. She exclaimed that many physicians believe that veterinary medicine is lower than human medicine because of the high self image humans have of themselves. However, she argued that veterinary medicine is even more complex than human medicine. While physicians only have to learn human anatomy and physiology, veterinarians have to learn the anatomy and physiology of many, if not all, species of animals. This TEDMED talk also moved me when it was revealed that animals experience many of the same mental disorders and anguish that humans do. Many animals are afflicted with depression and self harm and while this information is very moving, it does not surprise …show more content…
These include, but are not limited to depression, separation anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Depression in cats can be seen through symptoms such as losing interest in eating, lethargic behavior, and loss of interest in interaction with humans. Cats can become depressed when they experience a loss in their family, or when moved to a stressful environment such as an animal shelter. These symptoms are similar to depression in human beings and their treatment is similar as well. In order to treat cats with depression, a veterinarian may prescribe antidepressants and a lot loving attention to be given to your pet.(vetinfo) Separation anxiety can be seen in cats through excessive meowing when their owner leaves, defecation or urination on items that belong to their owner, and excessive grooming. In order to treat separation anxiety, behavior modification techniques are utilized in order to reduce the cat’s stress. (Johnson-Bennett) Some behavior modification techniques used are to increase environmental enrichment through building a cat tree for him to play in, engage in interactive play sessions with your cat, and practice leaving the house in order to reduce your cat's stress. Similar treatments in human children are to keep calm when leaving the child, interacting with the child, and to provide a consistent pattern for the day.