Behavior problems are treated with a combination of the following:
- Specific behavior modification exercises
- Environmental management and safety precautions
- Humane training tools, and/or doctor-approved supplements
- Pharmacological agents (medication alone will not resolve your pet’s problem)
Your initial consultation fee includes:
- One office visit (up to 2 hours in length)
- Diagnoses (assessment) based on complete history and observations
- Written treatment plan
- Demonstration of behavior modification techniques (to the extent possible)
- Appropriate written prescriptions
Veterinary Behavior Consultants does not offer preventive healthcare, emergency treatment, or general medicine or surgical services. We are a referral service dedicated to behavior counseling. Your regular veterinarian will continue to provide all other services, as well as direct you to after-hours care options.
The cost of the initial evaluation is based on the time required to analyze your pet’s behavior problem, describe the treatment plan, and generate written instructions. Fees cover the time invested by the doctor/staff and are therefore not refundable after completion of the initial consultation, regardless of case outcome. All clients are given an accurate estimate of costs prior to the consultation. Payment in full is required at the initial consultation.
CANCELLATION POLICY
A non-refundable fee of $150 will be collected when the appointment is scheduled. Your appointment can be changed one time with at least 72-hours advanced notice. The fee will be credited to your invoice once your pet is seen. However, if adjustments are made to the scheduled appointment with less than 72 hours’ notice, if the appointment is changed more than once, or if the appointment is cancelled, no credit will apply.
FOLLOWUP SUPPORT
Telehealth appointments (phone or zoom) are available for clients who have been seen at our office in the previous six months. Email and text messages will be used to communicate information about scheduling and upcoming appointments but cannot be used for rechecks. Rechecks are handled by telephone or teleconference. For 6 months after an office visit, clients can schedule telehealth appointments online for a fee. After six months, all clients are required to schedule a recheck OFFICE visit to continue receiving treatment and prescriptions from our office.
OUT-PATIENT (OFFICE) RECHECKS
Recheck visits to Veterinary Behavior Consultants are always encouraged. After 6 months, an in-clinic OFFICE appointment is required to assess patient progress and reevaluate the treatment plan. Medications will not be refilled unless the patient has been seen in the previous 6 months. Office recheck appointments usually require an hour or less.
PRESCRIPTION REFILLS
Veterinary Behavior Consultants will provide new prescriptions and refills for any appropriate behavior medications for up to 6 months past today’s date. Each prescription will contain the appropriate number of refills. After six months, we require an OFFICE visit to continue providing care (prescriptions or behavior counseling).
Six-month office recheck appointments can be scheduled online using the “6-month Recheck, Office Visit” option: https://veterinarybehaviorconsultants.setmore.com.
If you prefer to receive prescriptions from your regular veterinarian, you can ask your regular veterinarian if they are comfortable taking over responsibility for the prescription(s). We send written summaries to your regular veterinarian to inform them of every medication change. If they do not have information from us, please request that we either send the letters directly to you, or we can resend them to your veterinarian.
While we have a high level of success in treating behavior cases, we are unable to guarantee resolution of every problem. Successful outcomes rely heavily on your commitment and ability to comply with the suggested treatment plan. We look forward to working with you!