Veterinary examinations before a behaviorist visit

Veterinary examinations before a behaviorist visit – a comprehensive guide

Before starting behavioral therapy with our animals, it is crucial to rule out potential health problems that may affect their behavior. Up to 75% of behavioral disorders in cats have a medical basis, and any disease causing discomfort or pain can trigger undesirable changes in an animal’s behavior. Proper veterinary diagnostics are therefore an essential first step before a behavioral consultation, ensuring that the planned behavioral therapy will be effective and address the real issues.

The importance of veterinary examinations in the context of behavioral problems

Behavioral problems in animals often have their roots in physical health. Diseases, pain, or undiagnosed conditions can lead to significant changes in behavior, which are easily mistaken for purely psychological or behavioral issues.

Any disease causing discomfort or pain results in a change in behavior, the degree of which depends on the animal species, the severity of symptoms, and the animal’s ability to mask them. For this reason, owners sometimes seek behavioral advice first, instead of consulting a veterinarian.

In veterinary practice, it is common to encounter patients whose behavioral problems complicate somatic conditions or are even the underlying cause of medical pathologies. This is why cooperation between a veterinarian and a behaviorist is not only beneficial but often essential.

Benefits of conducting tests before a behaviorist visit

• Exclusion of medical causes of behavioral problems

• Identification of potential pain affecting behavior

• Establishing the animal’s health baseline

• Possibility of better tailoring behavioral therapy

• Avoiding unnecessary stress associated with an improper approach to the problem

Basic tests recommended before a behavioral consultation

Regardless of the behavioral problem we are dealing with, there is a set of basic tests worth performing before meeting with a behaviorist:

Basic clinical examination

Every animal should undergo a comprehensive clinical examination by a veterinarian, including:

• Auscultation of the heart and lungs

• Checking the condition of ears, eyes, and oral cavity

• Detailed examination of coat and skin

• Measurement of body temperature

• Control of the animal’s body weight

• Examination of lymph nodes

• Abdominal assessment

Basic laboratory tests

Recommended laboratory tests include:

• Complete blood count – provides information about the hematopoietic and immune systems

• Blood biochemistry with electrolytes – assesses the function of internal organs such as the liver, kidneys, or pancreas

• Parasitological examination (feces) – excludes the presence of internal parasites

• Giardia intestinalis test – especially important for animals from shelters

Specialized tests depending on the behavioral problem

Different behavioral problems may require specific diagnostic tests:

For inappropriate urination/soiling problems

All animals showing inappropriate urination should have a urinalysis including:

• Numeric pH determination (not descriptive)

• Determination of urine specific gravity

• Microscopic evaluation of urine sediment

The urinalysis should be as recent as possible – performed no more than a month before the behavioral consultation. Remember that urine is an unstable material and should be examined within 2 hours of collection.

If collecting urine at home is difficult, the sample can be collected at the veterinary clinic via cystocentesis.

For cats leaving feces outside the litter box, a fecal examination should also be performed to rule out parasites.

For aggression-related problems

For animals showing aggressive behaviors, it is recommended to perform:

• Pain assessment – detailed evaluation of the musculoskeletal system, teeth, and internal organs

• Thyroid hormone testing (T4 and TSH) – especially in cats

• Neurological assessment if neurological disorders are suspected

For socialization and anxiety disorders

For animals with socialization or anxiety problems, it is recommended to perform:

• A broad range of physical examinations

• Comprehensive neurological assessment

• Blood tests for diseases that may affect behavior

Preparing the animal for veterinary examinations

To ensure reliable test results, proper preparation of the animal is necessary:

Blood tests

• Tests should be performed on an empty stomach – 9-12 hours before the visit, do not feed the animal (this time may be extended up to 16 hours in some cases)

• The animal should have access to water

• Avoid stress, which may affect some blood parameters

General preparation for the veterinary visit

• Gradually accustom the animal to procedures similar to examination (touching paws, checking ears, teeth)

• For cats and small dogs, get them used to the carrier

• Foster positive relationships between the animal and strangers

• In case of severe stress, consider natural calming preparations (after consulting a veterinarian)

Medical documentation for the behaviorist

The behaviorist will need access to the animal’s complete medical documentation:

What to prepare

• The animal’s health booklet with up-to-date vaccinations and deworming

• Results of all laboratory tests

• Treatment history and previous medical records (you can ask your veterinarian for a printout of the patient’s history)

• Information about current medications and supplements

• Possible photos or videos documenting problematic behaviors

Why this is important

Well-maintained medical documentation is essential, as even seemingly insignificant details such as outdated vaccinations or deworming can affect the animal’s behavior.

Communication between veterinarian and behaviorist

For optimal results of behavioral therapy, good communication between the veterinarian and the behaviorist is important:

• If the animal has an incurable disease and is on medication, the behaviorist must be informed to take this into account in the behavioral assessment and therapy

• Some behavioral problems may require both behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy, which can only be implemented by a behaviorist with veterinary qualifications

• The veterinarian-behaviorist tandem is often essential for effectively solving complex problems

Conclusions and practical recommendations

Before going for a behavioral consultation, it is crucial to rule out medical causes of the animal’s behavioral problems. Comprehensive veterinary examination is the foundation of effective behavioral therapy.

Veterinary tests should be tailored to the specific behavioral problem and animal species. The best solution is to consult your chosen behaviorist directly and ask about recommended tests for the specific issue you are facing.

Proper veterinary diagnostics not only help in more effective behavioral therapy but also contribute to the overall health and well-being of our animal. Investing in appropriate tests is an investment in the health and happiness of your pet for many years.