International Journal of Molecular Zoology 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 273-280 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmz 273 Research Insight Open Access Evaluating the Effects of Pre-Surgical Behavioral Training on Recovery in Dogs Zhaolin Wang Ruipai Pet Hospital, Sanya, 572000, Hainan, China Corresponding email: 745457309@qq.com International Journal of Molecular Zoology, 2024, Vol.14, No.5 doi: 10.5376/ijmz.2024.14.0025 Received: 22 Jul., 2024 Accepted: 31 Aug., 2024 Published: 20 Sep., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wang Z.L., 2024, Evaluating the effects of pre-surgical behavioral training on recovery in dogs, International Journal of Molecular Zoology, 14(5): 273-280 (doi: 10.5376/ijmz.2024.14.0025) Abstract Canine surgeries are common procedures in veterinary medicine, and the recovery process is critical to ensuring successful outcomes. This study evaluates the effects of pre-surgical behavioral training on the recovery of dogs, aiming to enhance physiological and psychological recovery. Pre-surgical training involves techniques designed to reduce stress and improve coping mechanisms, preparing dogs for surgery through behavioral conditioning. We implemented a training regimen with a group of dogs scheduled for surgery, focusing on stress reduction, owner-pet bonding, and behavioral conditioning. Post-surgical outcomes revealed significant improvements in recovery, including reduced stress, faster healing, and improved overall well-being. The case study provided strong empirical evidence supporting the benefits of pre-surgical behavioral training, highlighting its positive impact on post-operative recovery. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating behavioral training into veterinary practices and suggests further research to refine and expand its applications in clinical settings. Keywords Canine surgery; Behavioral training; Recovery; Stress reduction; Veterinary practices 1 Introduction Canine surgeries, ranging from routine procedures to complex operations, are common in veterinary practice (Garde et al., 2016). These surgeries, such as decompressive surgery for thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniations (TL-IVDH) and cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) repairs, are critical for addressing various health issues in dogs. Postoperative recovery is a crucial phase that significantly influences the overall success of these surgical interventions (Martins et al., 2021a). Effective recovery protocols can enhance the quality of life and functional outcomes for dogs undergoing surgery (Zidan et al., 2018b). The recovery period following surgery is vital for ensuring the long-term health and mobility of dogs. Studies have shown that postoperative rehabilitation can play a significant role in the recovery process (Bennaim et al., 2017; Jeong et al., 2019). For instance, early postoperative rehabilitation has been found to be safe and beneficial in dogs recovering from TL-IVDH surgery, although it may not significantly improve the rate or level of recovery in cases of incomplete spinal cord injury (Lewis et al., 2022). Similarly, rehabilitation interventions, such as therapeutic exercises and cold compression therapy, have shown positive results in the recovery of dogs after CCLD surgery, despite the high risk of bias in many studies (Alvarez et al., 2022). Therefore, optimizing recovery protocols is essential for improving surgical outcomes and enhancing the overall well-being of canine patients. Behavioral training, particularly pre-surgical behavioral training, is an emerging area of interest in veterinary medicine. This type of training aims to prepare dogs for the postoperative period by enhancing their physical and psychological resilience. Prehabilitation programs, which include physical activity and exercise training components, have been shown to improve postoperative functional capacity and reduce hospital stays in human cardiac surgery patients (Yau et al., 2020). Although similar studies in veterinary medicine are limited, the potential benefits of pre-surgical behavioral training in dogs warrant further investigation. This study evaluates the effects of pre-surgical behavioral training on the recovery of dogs undergoing various surgical procedures. By comparing the recovery outcomes of dogs that received pre-surgical behavioral training with those that did not, this research seeks to determine whether such training can enhance postoperative recovery, reduce recovery time, and improve overall functional outcomes. The findings of this study could provide valuable
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==