Behaviour Veterinarian
It can be difficult living with a pet with special needs. Unfortunately, just like with human mental health, there are no quick fixes for treating behavioural problems in pets.
Through Sydney Animal Behaviour Service (SABS) and Dr Grace Thurtell, SASH offers veterinary behaviour consultations.
When does my pet need to see a behaviour veterinarian?
Behavioural problems can be complex and multifactorial. It is important to identify the root cause of behavioural problems, whether they be from fear, stress, anxiety, or pain. Problems associated with anxiety and pain are medical problems and the underlying cause cannot be fixed through training alone. For this reason, it is important to have behavioural issues assessed by a veterinarian experienced in the field, who can help identify and treat the underlying cause.
What to expect in a veterinary behaviour consultation
Before your consultation, feel free to take videos of your pet, if they are safe for you to film. When arriving at SASH Northern Beaches, there is a separate rear entry available if your pet is reactive to other pets or people. Please let reception know if you have concerns with being around other pets or people.
Unlike many other consultations, an initial behaviour consultation can be up to two to three hours in length. This is important in the field of behaviour medicine for the veterinarian to gather as much information as possible about all the facets of your pet’s behaviour, and allows for a discussion about why your pet is behaving as they are, the potential outcomes of treatment as well as allowing for a longer observation of how your pet copes in a different environment.
A questionnaire will be sent to you when you book in, which you will need to complete and send back before your consultation. The veterinarian will review it during the consultation, and then have a detailed discussion with you around a diagnosis and reasons for their behaviour, as well as a treatment plan.
At the end of the consultation, you will receive an interim report and information pack. A full report will be sent to you later which reiterates everything that was discussed during the consultation. Your local vet will also receive copies of all reports.
Treating pet behaviour problems
Behavioural medicine is built on a foundation of evidence based, scientific methods. After a very thorough investigation, your veterinarian will give guidance on:
- Behaviour modification techniques
- Environmental management strategies
- Medication where appropriate
SASH is fortunate to offer the country’s broadest range of specialist veterinary disciplines. The Behaviour department can draw on the expertise of other departments and vice-versa. If it has been identified that your pet’s behaviour may be affected by an underlying medical condition, you may be referred to a different specialist department at SASH such as:
