A rabbit stopped eating and sat hunched in a corner. Many owners assume this is "normal" for a prey animal. A savvy vet recognized the subtle behavior of bruxism (tooth grinding) and abdominal pressing. The diagnosis: gastric stasis secondary to a hairball. Early behavioral recognition saved the rabbit from a fatal gastrointestinal shutdown.
Megan Mueller, the Elizabeth Arnold Stevens Junior Professor at Cummings School, and Clinical Assistant Professor Stephanie Borns- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Honoring Sophia Yin and Veterinary Behaviorists
: Modern veterinary medicine uses behavioral assessment to measure animal welfare, often through the "Five Freedoms," which include the freedom to express normal behavior.