Description
This webinar provides a comprehensive introduction to veterinary psychopharmacology as a key component of behavioural treatment planning. It will explore the definitions, scope and clinical relevance of psychotropic medications, alongside the legal and professional considerations surrounding their prescription. Attendees will learn when and why pharmacological interventions are appropriate, with a focus on common behavioural presentations and welfare implications for both patients and caregivers.
The session also examines the science underpinning treatment, including key neurotransmitters and the differences between long-acting (baseline) and short-acting (event) medications, their indications and clinical applications. Practical challenges such as treatment limitations, compliance issues and causes of treatment failure will be addressed, emphasising realistic expectations and multimodal care.
Finally, the webinar highlights how psychopharmacology integrates into a broader veterinary behaviour framework, promoting a team-based approach to improve patient outcomes and overall welfare.
Learning Objectives
- Understand core principles of veterinary psychopharmacology: including key definitions and the role of psychotropic medications in behavioural medicine
- Identify appropriate clinical indications for treatment: recognising when pharmacological intervention is suitable based on behavioural presentations and welfare considerations
- Differentiate between medication types: particularly long-acting (baseline) and short-acting (event) drugs, including their uses, mechanisms, and clinical applications
- Explain the role of neurotransmitters: such as serotonin, dopamine and GABA in behavioural disorders and their relevance to treatment selection
- Apply a multimodal, practical approach to care: including recognising constraints, understanding causes of treatment failure and integrating medication into a broader behavioural treatment plan
