That was unusual. Most animal self-medication is reactive—sick animals seek relief. But Liyo was practicing prophylactic self-medication, a behavior previously thought almost exclusive to humans.
Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants are now standard tools in veterinary practice. They are not "sedatives" used to knock a pet out; they are therapeutic agents designed to normalize brain chemistry, allowing the animal to learn new behaviors without the overwhelming interference of panic.
In the veterinary world, a change in behavior is often the first—and sometimes only—symptom of an underlying medical issue. Pain Detection: