The behavioral history forms on this page are tailored for either a dog or a cat. This history will provide detailed information on a variety of aspects of your pet's environment, activities, and behaviors (both normal and problematic). This is all vital information to receive prior to the consultation in order to give the clinician a basis to start the behavioral appointment and to focus on the behavioral history once the consult begins.
Please send completed forms to either our email or fax listed below:
Appointments are seen at the VCA Mesa Animal Hospital (no house calls at this time) and the protocol is listed under the Forms section.
Appointments can be made by calling the main hospital number (see under Behavior Consultation Protocol).
The appointment is 60 minutes long and a $200 deposit is required to hold this appointment block. The deposit is refundable if the appointment is canceled GREATER than 72 hours in advance.
The documents must be received prior to scheduling the consultation: completed questionnaire, medical records for the pet, and referral form completed by your primary veterinarian.
Follow up appointments are expected and are not included with the initial consultation fee. If you are unable to follow up with our office, your veterinarian may be able to provide medication refills.
Undesirable behaviors negatively impact the relationship we have with our pets. The goal of our Behavior Services is to create a better life for you and your pet by preventing and treating behavior problems using compassionate, scientific methodology that nurtures the human-animal bond.
**Please note that a behavioral consultation does NOT qualify for the $20 off the first exam. We apologize for any inconvenience! Follow up appointments are expected after the initial consultation and are not included in the initial consultation fee.
A veterinary behaviorist can evaluate a pet's behavioral problems, can diagnose medical problems that may be contributing to these problems, and, is licensed to prescribe drugs that may benefit these animals. The specialty of veterinary behavior is equivalent to human psychiatry, and veterinary behaviorists are, in effect, animal psychiatrists. Similar to human psychiatrists, veterinary behaviorists have received many years of specialized education and have passed a rigorous board-certification examination in order to treat your pet. Veterinary behaviorists use behavior modification techniques, environmental and lifestyle changes, and psychoactive medication when appropriate in order to manage behavior problems.
As trained veterinarians, veterinary behaviorists also have the medical knowledge to determine whether an underlying medical condition is contributing to your pet’s behavioral concern. Medical problems almost always have behavioral consequences, but not every behavior change is due to a medical problem, and veterinary behaviorists are uniquely trained to recognize and treat both. Your general practice veterinarian can diagnose and treat many routine behavior problems; however, other some behavior issues require the care of a doctor who has had specialized, intensive training in veterinary behavior in order to provide the very best outcome for your pet. The treatment of behavior cases requires a very careful accounting of the pet's past history, both medical and behavioral, and his or her current lifestyle.
It is critical to understand your pet's emotional and psychological needs and challenges in order to gain insight into the solutions to the issues that concern you.
Veterinary behavior treatment goes far above and beyond basic obedience training. Trainers commonly help teach manners and cues such as “sit” or “stay.” To a veterinary behaviorist, however, teaching cues maybe just a small part of a larger treatment program designed to address a pet’s behavior issue, whether it be aggression or anxiety. While a trainer’s primary goal is to get a pet simply to act a certain way, a veterinary behaviorist’s primary goal is to understand why a pet misbehaves in order to create a personalized, comprehensive treatment plan to address the underlying cause of the behavior problem.
Addressing the fundamental reason for misbehavior, rather than attempting to “train away” the problem, typically leads to longer-lasting results. Veterinary behaviorists are qualified to provide you with the correct diagnosis and treatment for your pet’s behavior problem. A veterinary behaviorist is also best able to determine whether your pet may benefit from behavior-modifying medication or if a medical problem may be a contributing factor. Many non-professionals claim to be “animal behaviorists” but lack the education, scientific knowledge, experience, and training of a veterinary behaviorist. Unfortunately, no governing body regulates who may call themselves an “animal behaviorist” or “trainer.” While some non-veterinary behaviorists and trainers are experienced and educated, there are many others who possess no formal education or proper understanding of animal behavior and may utilize unproven, outdated, or even inhumane training techniques to achieve short-term results. By consulting and working with a veterinary behaviorist, your pet will be receiving the highest standard of care from a certified professional.
