Advice for Veterinary Professionals 167
distress, which can itself be an underlying or trigger factor in a number of physical
conditions (see Chapter 6).
Pets with behavioural problems can also be at increased risk of:
● Abandonment.
● Relinquishment to a shelter.
● Euthanasia.
● Physical abuse, often due to owner frustration resulting in ineffectual attempts at
punishment or reprimands for the behaviour.
Dos and don’ts of providing first aid behavioural advice
● It is important that the client is made aware that it is only first aid advice being
offered and that the advice given may not resolve the issue completely or long
term.
● Any advice given must be from a reputable source and based on sound scientific
principles.
● Be honest and be aware of limitations, such as knowledge, time and resources.
● Make the client aware of the importance of investigating possible underlying
medical conditions. If not able to do so at the time, make an appointment for this
to be done.
● Don’t aim to diagnose or ‘cure’ the problem. When the full history of the problem
is gathered, the issue may turn out to be more complicated or different than it first
appeared.
● Don’t guarantee effectiveness of advice or products offered.
● Use handouts (see above regarding guidelines on how to prepare handouts, also
see Appendix 15).
● Arrange for the client and their pet to have a full behavioural consultation with a
suitably qualified and experienced behaviourist, either ‘in-house’ or via referral.
● Direct clients to helpful and reputable internet sites (e.g. https://icatcare.org/
advice/problem-behaviour; http://www.catexpert.co.uk/cats/)..)
Referral or Treat ‘In-house’
Sometimes simple advice and increasing owner understanding of feline behaviour can
be sufficient; however, feline behaviour cases can vary greatly in severity and com-
plexity and often further behavioural investigation and counselling is required. The
options can be to offer this service within the veterinary practice or to refer to an
external behaviourist. The essential factors influencing this choice should include:
● The local availability and quality of referral behavioural services (see the section
‘Who to Refer to?’).
● The ability of the practice to provide a level of service that should be at least equal
to available referral services. This will usually require:
● Appropriate and sufficient experience and qualifications in feline behaviour.
● The option to preferably make a home visit or access to a suitably equipped
space to conduct a behavioural consultation. Any room used for feline behaviour