A behavioral examination is a special type of clinical examination implemented by a Veterinary Behaviorist, that is, one who specializes in clinical ethology and behavioral problems.
Duration is about 1 hour for the first meeting, much shorter for follow-ups. Of utmost importance, in addition of course to the presence from the problem animal, is the participation in the meetings of all those who interact with the dog or cat on a daily basis. This is because much of the work will have to be done at home day by day, under the guidance of the veterinarian who will explain what attitudes toward the animal need to be changed into. Included within the behavioral examination is a thorough clinical examination of the animal’s general health condition. In fact, some behavioral pathologies can be caused or facilitated by organic disorders. A long series of questions that the Veterinarian will ask you about your pet’s habits, diet, living environment, and place and conditions of development when it was a puppy will enable him to arrive at a nosological diagnosis. That is, to understand what his problem is and often to speculate on where it may have originated. Close cooperation with the Therapist and especially not hiding anything from him or the corrective intervention will fail. Once the diagnosis is made, one is perhaps, optimistically speaking, halfway there. In fact, now it will be the owner who, strengthened by the lessons he or she will have received during the visit, will have to change many habits he or she had acquired in his or her relationship with his or her four-legged friend. In this he may be facilitated by any psychotropic drugs prescribed by the Veterinarian to promote and accelerate healing. Importantly, do not independently discontinue or change the administration of the medication, so as not to harm your pet. I often collaborate as a Veterinary Behaviorist with Dog Trainers who help the owner at home to correct educational errors, and I have had much help from these collaborations.
dr. Diego Cattarossi
www.diegocattarossi.com/blog