WHY TO I NEED TO GET A REFERRAL FROM A VET BEFORE MAKING AN APPOINTMENT?

Studies at university based clinical behaviour units suggest that 20% of behaviour cases (and up to 70% when aggression is involved) have an underlying medical component associated with pain, that initiated, or that is maintaining, the behaviour problem. In addition, behavioural change may be the result of other medical conditions. Consequently, it is important that every animal receives a thorough medical check-up prior to an appointment with a clinical behaviourist. Although medical treatment may alleviate associated behavioural signs, in many cases learning concurrent to pain or discomfort will maintain the behaviour problem post alleviation or control of a medical condition, resulting in a need for behavioural referral post medical diagnosis and treatment. For these reasons, it is important for your companion animal's welfare that your vet and your behaviourist work as a team. The involvement of your vet is also a requirement of both the clinical behaviourists professional bodies, their insurance cover and any pet insurance policy that you may wish to claim on to cover the expense of your consultation.