As an example, aseptic technique was not utilized in large animal surgery until after World War II. Until the 1920s, veterinary surgery was mostly limited to neutering and wound repair. In the veterinary medicine, however, advancements were not quite so quick. Discoveries at this time helped advance this area of medical care, with a primary focus on treating battlefield trauma, progressing to the treatment of other medical problems unrelated to trauma. John Hunter (1728–1793) is credited as the founding surgeon in human medicine.
The effects on the behavior and, subsequently on the human-animal bond and welfare, should be taken into consideration when consulting with clients, either directly via the outcomes from the surgery, or via changes to the animal's behavior. Surgery is a principal aspect of veterinary medicine, whether performed to treat a medical condition, to lower the incidence of disease, or for population control, and it is important to understand the impact that surgery has on the welfare and behavior of an animal.
While not often thought to correlate with behavior, behavioral effects of surgery are commonly seen, but sometimes not fully understood.
Problem behaviors are often cited as reasons for relinquishment and euthanasia of companion animals ( 1, 2).