SERVICES

Rigby & Mia practising their ‘touch’ cue
WE’RE VETERINARIANS

Taking care of your pet’s mind & body

Backed by science, we use the most up-to-date behavioural plan and treatment to improve the lives of pets, and the relationship they have with their human.

Many behavioural problems in dogs and cats (people, too!) are due to fear, stress, anxiety and/or pain. These are typically medical issues—in the brain and body—not training or obedience problems. Don’t get us wrong, a well-trained pet can go a long way, but it doesn’t resolve the underlying cause of these behaviours. Aside from (or in addition to) anxiety and pain, there could be other underlying or concurrent physical conditions, so it’s best to have a veterinarian assess your fur-child to find the right way to a happier, healthier pet. That’s where we come in!

COMMON BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS

Common emotional & mental disorders

Like people, 20% of dogs suffer from anxiety.

Anxiety and fear are experienced by humans and animals alike at one point or another. Sometimes, this is an expected response (like when an animal is running away from a predator), but when the threat isn’t real and hinders daily life, it becomes a disorder.

It’s the intensity, duration, frequency, and context around these behaviours that determine whether there’s an underlying issue. For example, it’s normal for dogs to bark briefly at startling noises. But a dog who incessantly barks and cries while their owner goes to work? This could indicate a deeper issue causing them to worry about a threat that doesn’t exist (you always return home to them, after all!).

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Behavioural problems we see in dogs

  • Anxiety disorder

  • Fear and phobia

  • Aggression

  • Elimination disorder

  • Noise sensitivity

  • Separation anxiety

  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder

  • Sleeping disorder

  • Hyperreactivity

  • Excessive vocalisation

  • Cognitive dysfunction in aging dogs

Behavioural problems we see in cats

  • Anxiety disorder

  • Urine marking and house-soiling

  • Aggression

  • Sleeping disorder

  • Fear and phobia

  • Excessive vocalisation

  • Separation anxiety

  • Cognitive dysfunction in aging cats

HOW WE CAN HELP

It all begins with a tail-wagging meet & greet

If you think your cat or dog is struggling with an emotional or mental health problem, contact us to book an initial behaviour consultation with you and your fluffy companion.

STEP 1

Veterinary behaviour consult

We offer dog and cat consults from our base at The Gap (QLD), from the comfort of your home, or virtually. We treat a range of behavioural problems including separation anxiety, fear, aggression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, cognitive dysfunction with aging, and more.

HOW IT WORKS

Prior to your visit, a detailed history is obtained by filling out our questionnaire. This details your pet's medical history along with a description of their problem behaviour(s).

A behaviour consultation can take two to three hours, depending on their problem(s). During this time, we will help you better understand your pet's behaviour and provide ways of modifying and managing the problem. Each pet is individually assessed, and a behaviour modification program is recommended that takes into consideration not only the pet and their problems but also the whole family's lifestyle. Some animals require medication as well as behaviour modification to manage their behaviour problem.

After the consultation, a report is sent out to you and your regular veterinarian detailing our recommendations. Any medications, prescriptions, or blood tests that are recommended are not included in the cost of the behavioural consultation.

Typically, behaviour consultations are held in our consult rooms at The Gap. Home-based or virtual consultations are also available if required.

WHAT YOU GET
  • Initial behaviour consultation (2–3 hours)

  • Thorough review of your pet’s history and problem behaviour(s) via a detailed questionnaire

  • Behavioural assessment and diagnosis

  • Medication recommendation, if needed

  • Behavioural modification program

  • Environmental management

  • Behavioural assessment and recommendation report

  • Liaison with your regular vet (+/- trainer) for ongoing management (with your permission)

  • Ongoing support for minor adjustments or modifications to the initial program for two months

Mia patiently waiting for treats
STEP 2

Behavioural follow-up

We’ll monitor your pet’s progress and adapt our recommendation accordingly. From behavioural modification, environmental management, and medication (where needed), we create the right treatment plan for you and your pet.

HOW IT WORKS

A re-examination visit is advised 6–8 weeks after the initial behaviour consult to assess medications (if prescribed) and the progress of the behaviour modification program. In this visit, we’ll review your progress diary and videos of your pet to adapt our treatment plan based on your pet’s response. Further re-examination visits may be necessary and will be recommended if needed.

Most behavioural follow-ups are held in our consult rooms at The Gap. Home-based or virtual assessments can be arranged if required.

WHAT YOU GET
  • Behaviour re-examination visit (1–1.5 hours)

  • Review of your monitoring diary and videos of your pet

  • Adjustments or modifications to medications (if prescribed)

  • Adjustments or modifications to behavioural modification programs and environmental management

  • Behavioural re-assessment report

  • Liaison with your regular vet (+/- trainer) for ongoing management (with your permission)

  • Ongoing support for minor adjustments or modifications to the treatment plan for two months

COST

(incl. GST)

Veterinary behaviour consultation

$660

Behavioural follow-up

$230

Travel fee

In-clinic and virtual consults

$0

Home-based consults (per km from The Gap)

$65+2/km
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"TESTIMONIAL HEREA B O UT HO W GREA TKAREN IS. TESTIMONIALSSHO ULD B E SHO RT & SWEET."
"TESTIMONIAL HEREA B O UT HO W GREA TKAREN IS. TESTIMONIALSSHO ULD B E SHO RT & SWEET."
Ash & Basil, New Zealand