**2. Dysmorphology in veterinary medicine**

In veterinary medicine, dysmorphology is still a neglected field of knowledge, but has begun to take shape in line with the advances in veterinary medical genetics. Its basis is derived from human dysmorphology due to current knowledge of the genomic similarities between man and other vertebrates, especially mammals, showing that morphogenesis is evolutionarily conserved throughout the zoological scale. The inductive molecular mechanisms that form the embryonic pattern are identical in all vertebrates (Opitz et al., 2002). Furthermore, veterinary medicine and human medicine share most of the same methods and techniques, both in terms of diagnosis and therapy. However, in the current stage of the development of veterinary dysmorphology, some minute criteria used in human dysmorphology, especially those concerning the extension of concepts, could not always be adopted here.

#### **2.1 Importance**

The meaning of dysmorphology in veterinary medicine becomes clear when one considers that congenital defects in animals cause different types of impact: 1) the obvious suffering of the affected individual; 2) the psychological stress for the owners, who are more affectionate towards animals; 3) the abandonment of affected animals by many owners; and 4) the economic loss suffered by breeders, both of companion and production animals. All of these situations are directly linked to the professional work of the veterinarian, meaning different goals in terms of intervention.

#### **2.2 Objectives**

The main objectives of veterinary dysmorphology are humanitarian, professional, scientific, preventive and educational. The goal in humanitarian terms is to strive to minimize the suffering of affected individuals and have to do with the perception that animals are sentient beings, i.e., they can feel pain, discomfort, a number of difficulties and other feelings when they are affected by a defect or illness and, consequently, they suffer. The professional goals are to offer qualified assistance to clients who seek guidance and a solution to the congenital health problems of their animals. With these aims in mind more and more people are seeking veterinary clinics and hospitals, especially those dedicated to small animals. The scientific goals have to do with producing knowledge that will result in benefits for the animals themselves and also human beings. The study of spontaneous animal models of human diseases generates knowledge that could not be obtained from human patients for legal and ethical reasons. There are a great number of these animal models recognized today. New medical and molecular biology technology greatly facilitate these studies. The preventive goals are to attempt to advise owners and breeders of animals to help them make decisions and prevent the birth of new individuals with congenital defects. Scientifically based advice is an important step to avoiding the perpetuation of abnormalities, be they of a genetic nature or caused by environmental factors. The educational objectives include raising awareness that veterinarians, like any other professional, should contribute to the development of a better society in every way possible, encouraging ethical values and respect for human beings, animals, nature and life in general.
