THE CONSULTATION PROCESS EXPLAINED…

It is helpful to know what to expect from a consultation and so I have summarised the whole process below for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to drop me an email/call.

BEFORE THE CONSULT

I review the following:

  1. Medical history (sent by vet): This is the complete history available to date, which may include results of medical investigations and reports from specialities (including other behaviourists).
  2. Behaviour form (completed by you): A summary of the behaviour problems you are having. 

Additional material (if available):

  1. Gait Video(s): Occasionally I may request some gait/movement footage prior to a consultation.
  2. Behaviour Video(s): Some owners like to send through pre-existing videos they have of the issue. (To reduce risks of harm and practicing of the behaviour – please do not attempt to take any new footage that you do not already have).
  3. Diaries: Any pre-existing diaries you may have kept either for your own notes or from advice of other behaviourists/vets.  This information is not vital ahead of a consult.

DURING THE CONSULT

PROVIDE AN ASSESSMENT OF BEHAVIOURS

  • The “why“: An assessment of the behavioural issues.
  • Risks: Assessment of all risks at the time of the consult (this will include the risk of harm and welfare considerations)
  • Prognosis: Assessment of the prognosis at the time of the consult (my opinion on the most likely course the behaviour will take over time and how this can be improved)

PROVIDE A TREATMENT PLAN

  • Short term management: This includes the things that need to occur straight away to prevent the issues from worsening and to manage any risks.
  • Medical: Potential recommendations for further medical investigations to rule out medical conditions which may be contributing to the behavioural issues or recommendations for medications to assist us in reducing/resolving the issues.
  • Longer term treatment strategies aimed at resolving the problems.
  • A bullet point list of my recommendations to take away on this day (this may be emailed after the consultation).

 

**Please note: I aim to keep treatment as simple as possible by focussing on the treatments that will reduce risks but also have the biggest impact and which if done first may result in other less intense issues reducing too. I am aware of how busy peoples lives can be and how little time we have for actual training (I myself have 3 pets, a young child, work full time etc..), so if training exercises are needed we can discuss where these are best slotted into your existing routine.

AFTER THE CONSULT

  1. Report: You and your pet’s vet will receive a detailed report within 5 working days of the consultation which will include the assessment and an initial behaviour modification plan.
  2. Follow up (vet): I will update your pet’s vet for the duration of our follow up and to provide ongoing recommendations where needed.
  3. Follow up (treatments and training): We will be in regular contact during the follow up period. Follow up/monitoring is very important in the majority of cases to adjust treatments according to response and to guide any training. For high risk cases we can often be in touch 1-2 times a week with this decreasing as we start to make progress.
  4. Reassessment of risks and prognosis (these vary with time and circumstances) and so will be reassessed throughout follow up. The aim is to reduce risks and improve prognosis.

GENERAL POINTS

If time has elapsed since an assessment and last contact between us:

  • If 3 months have passed between our last update, then to remain a patient under my care, a re-assessment (up to 90 minutes of time) will need to occur.
  • If 6 months have passed between last follow up, then a new consultation is required.