𝗙𝗔𝗤 - 𝐈𝐧 𝐰𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝗻-𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀?
Well, VBS is currently based in the little town of Foxton, so I regularly (every week!) see cases in the Horowhenua, Manawatu, Palmerston North and Kapiti coast areas, and I visit the Hutt and Wellington every two weeks.
Or if you are further afield and need Veterinary Behaviour services let me know- I may be in your area soon or be able to help virtually.
𝗙𝗔𝗤 - 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗜𝗦 𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻?
Behaviour Veterinarians (Veterinary Behaviourists) are registered veterinarians that have undertaken further qualifications in the field of Veterinary Behaviour.
We use management/treatment plans based on best practice and scientific evidence, considering physical, mental and emotional health.
Issues such as fear, anxiety, aggression, compulsive disorders and many more may be managed by a Behaviour Veterinarian.
𝗙𝗔𝗤 - 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵?
Dogs, cats and horses are the animals I see day to day, but my Veterinary Behaviour examinations covered behaviour of all production and companion species in Australia and NZ.
𝐅𝐀𝐐 - 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬?
They generally follow the same pattern, covering history, the why of the behaviour and then making a plan.
The differences are that with Virtual consultations I will send you back to your GP vet with any recommendations about anxiolytic medications, and that I don't get to meet your animal!
I may ask for videos of the issues, and a map of your house. Any behaviour modification techniques will need to be started by you and can be monitored with videos.
I have provided Virtual consults to pet owners all over NZ, Northland to Southland!
𝐅𝐀𝐐 - 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐕𝐁𝐒 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲?
Often, my patients have medical conditions that affect the development, severity, or maintenance of their behavioural issues.
For example, pain is a common underlying factor in many behaviour cases and needs to be addressed for animals to make progress.
Your vet may have made a mention of behaviour in their notes that gives a different perspective to the situation, and it gives me a structure for creation of a timeline.
𝗙𝗔𝗤 - 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
Prior to our meeting (either virtual or in-person), I review your animals' behavioural and medical history and start to create a timeline of the development of the issues. Then when we meet, I will ask the relevant questions to get a better picture of the chronicity, severity and factors involved in it's development.
We then discuss these factors (including any medical ones) and the function of the behaviour/emotions involved.
Then we start putting a plan together! These usually cover:
- Management (how to prevent your animal practicing the behaviour)
- Medical interventions recommended.
- Medications
- Behaviour modification plan
- Monitoring
𝗙𝗔𝗤 - Do you have a newsletter?
Yes! To keep up with our latest news, events and receive behavioural tips straight into your inbox, sign up for our newsletter HERE.