Why see a vet behaviourist?

Vet behaviourists are qualified veterinarians who've undertaken further study to specialise in the field of behavioural medicine. They have an inherent understanding of physiological and physical illness and disease, as well as the emotional and cognitive processes involved in influencing animal behaviour. By working with a veterinary behaviourist, your pet will receive the best possible care available. This involves the combination of medicine, mental/emotional health-care and in-depth learning/training concepts. This approach will ultimately provide the highest chance of successful treatment. Without this holistic approach, patient care and treatment outcomes may be compromised.  

Behaviour is the outward expression of an individual’s emotional state, influenced by it's genetics, internal and external environments and prior learning. 

Some behaviours may be considered typical for a species/breed yet inappropriate or undesirable by the people with whom they share their lives. 

Other behaviours may be atypical and indicate underlying negative emotion or pathology (eg: fear, anxiety, distress, panic, phobia, hyperarousal, impulsivity, compulsivity, physical illness/injury).

In either case (typical or atypical behaviours discussed above), the goal is to teach our patients new ways to feel and alternative ways to behave in specific situations, which are more pleasant, healthy, appropriate and desirable. This ultimately reduces or prevents the display of unwanted behaviours. 

This is achieved by identifying and treating underlying negative emotion or pathology, managing the environment to avoid specific triggers, and conditioning positive emotional responses and desirable behaviours with positive reinforcement. 

Our treatment plans generally take the form of:

- behaviour modification

- environmental management

- psychotropic/anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) medications (in some cases)

- monitoring

- follow up (to review and tailor other aspects of the plan)

Treatment for behavioural diagnoses usually lasts months to years. Improvements are generally noted within weeks to months. Optimal outcomes are achieved by implementing all of the above aspects synergistically. 

The consultation process begins with a thorough history-taking via questionnaire and in-person discussion, before making diagnoses and discussing prognoses. Our health and behaviour professionals will then work with you to curate a treatment plan tailored to you, your lifestyle and pets. 

The team at The Vet Behaviour Clinic assess individual patients holistically, assessing the potential impacts on behaviour of:

- physical health

- mental/emotional health

- genetics (individual, breed, species)

- physical, emotional and cognitive developmental

- learning history, including potential traumatic events

- social relationships

- the environment and specific behavioural/emotional triggers

- individual needs (eg: exercise, social interactions, sensory and cognitive stimulation)

Behaviour modification (Bmod) creates lasting change by conditioning positive emotions with previous negative triggers and by teaching and positively reinforcing new, desired behaviours. Our team of vets and behavioural trainers will create an individualised Bmod plan for each patient and can assist further with implementation and training. 

Behaviour treatment plans may include the diagnostic workup and treatment of physiological or physical conditions. Our team will liase and work with your primary care veterinary teams as well as veterinary specialists to ensure the best possible standards of care. 

Treating mental/emotional distress sometimes includes the use of psychotropic/anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) medications. These may be used short or long-term. They are intended to improve mood and may assist with impulse control, regulation of arousal, sleep wake cycles, pain, itch, etc. They are to be used in conjunction with environmental management and Bmod strategies.