A diagnostic classification of problem behavior in dogs and cats.

Veterinary clinical ethology is a relatively new field in veterinary practice; with the development of a new discipline, problems often arise regarding diagnosis and the use of terminology. This article proposes a diagnostic system that can be applied by practitioners and researchers. The classification is divided into six main etiologic categories of behavior problems: (1) problems of a genetic origin, (2) problems caused during the animal's developmental stages, (3) ethogram deviations, (4) disturbed social interaction, (5) disease-related behavior, and (6) adaptation inabilities. Conditions may overlap, and all categories involved in a diagnosis should be mentioned for the sake of clarity and completeness.