Pica From the Behaviorists Viewpoint – Preventing Repeated Obstructions

Course Details

This lecture has been RACE approved for 0.5 CE hour for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Lecture Description:

Pica is a behavior that involves the eating of non-nutritive items. In some cases, repetitive eating of non-food items can result in intestinal blockage requiring surgery. When multiple surgeries are required, many pet owners will become frustrated and consider euthanasia. Pica can have numerous different underlying causes and often has both a behavioral and a physiological cause. Confirming underlying causes can be challenging but newer research suggests that disease of the GI tract are more common causes than previously believed.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will develop a better understanding of pica as a sign of gastrointestinal disease
2. Attendees will learn some of the other behavioral signs of underlying gastrointestinal disease
3. Attendees will learn treatment approaches for dealing with pica when the gastrointestinal causes are suspected but cannot be identified