What happens in a behavioural consult with Dr Jacqui Ley, our specialist in behavioural medicine?

Many people wonder what happens during a veterinary behaviour consultation. Do they need to be ready to train their dog? Is there a couch for the dog to lie on? Will they be told that their dog is too dangerous and they must get rid of it? Are they the cause of their pet’s problem?

Veterinary Behavioural Medicine is the speciality of veterinary medicine that diagnoses and treats mental health disorders in animals. Veterinary Behaviourists are like psychiatrists and psychologists. To diagnose a disorder in animals we spend time watching the pet in the consultation room. So, no couch, but we do look to see where the animal goes in the room, how active it is and how it solicits attention from the owner and the veterinary behaviourist.

As part of the consultation, clients are asked to complete an extensive questionnaire about their pet’s behaviour. This included not only the problem behaviour but also what their pet was like as a baby animal and questions about other common problem behaviours. We also pry – I mean ask about our client’s families for a very good reason. We need to know about the environment the pet lives in so we can see where there could be changes made to help the pet.

Discussing the diagnosis and treatment and management plan takes a bit of time. We like to know that our clients understand the goals and how making some changes will help their pet in the long term. In behavioural medicine, we are trying to change the way the brain works in very small ways. And this takes time because it is difficult (but not impossible).

Many of the pets coming to the behaviour service seem to like it (or at least they tolerate it). There is no poking or prodding or even patting if the pet doesn’t want it but there are always liver treats