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Behavior
problems in pets are very common and can lead to frustration,
a weakening of the human-animal bond, and even a loss
in quality of life for both you and your pet. Studies
have shown that behavior problems represent the most
common cause for the relinquishment of pets to animal
shelters. The RBVH Behavior Service is committed to
helping keep pets in their homes, strengthening the
bond you have with your pet, and maximizing your pet's
quality of life.
Some of the most common behavioral
problems that we treat through the RBVH Behavior Service
include:
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Fears and phobias |
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Aggression (towards humans or other
animals) |
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Separation anxiety |
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Housesoiling and urine marking |
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Unruly
and destructive behaviors |
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"Compulsive"
and repetitive behaviors |
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Age-related cognitive dysfunction |
If you are unsure whether
your pet has a problem that would benefit from a consultation
with the Behavior Service, please contact us at (732)
747-3383.
SERVICES
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Full
behavior consultations –
Intended for owners who have pets with existing
behavioral problems. Additional information regarding
"full behavior consultations" can be found
at:
What to Expect
From Your Behavior Consultation |
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New
pet appointments –
Can help owners of newly adopted pets get
started on the right foot; these appointments are
intended for pets of all ages without serious pre-existing
behavioral problems. For puppies and kittens, normal
puppy/kitten behavioral issues such as jumping up,
rough play, scratching, etc. will be addressed.
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Pre-adoption
or pre-purchase pet selection counseling –
Helps you choose the right pet for your household
by matching your lifestyle and preferences with
the best species, breed and temperament. We will
also discuss the various available sources of pets
(breeders, shelters, breed rescue organizations,
pet stores, newspaper ads, online-suppliers, etc.)
and help you to decide which is right for you. |
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Preventative
appointments –
Short consults that help you prepare your pets
for changes that are
about to occur in the household. These appointments
are intended to help
you PREVENT the development of
problems and are ONLY for pets without
pre-existing behavioral problems. Examples
of issues that can be addressed during "preventative
appointments" include:
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Introduction of a new pet |
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Preparing for a baby |
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Moving to a new home |
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Medical
needs appointments –
Short consults that discuss the management of a
very specific problem related to your pet's medical
care and require referral by your veterinarian.
Pets with aggression issues towards humans do not
qualify for these short appointments. Examples of
issues that can be addressed during "medical
needs appointments" include:
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Crate-training an exercise-restricted dog
prior to or after surgery |
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Converting an outdoor or indoor/outdoor cat
to a purely indoor cat |
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Getting a pet accustomed to being pilled or
receiving insulin or allergy injections |
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Managing a pet who is housesoiling due to
medical problems such as kidney
disease or Cushing's disease |
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Decreasing household stress for cats with
feline urinary syndrome (FUS) |
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APPOINTMENTS
Appointments are offered Monday through
Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. as well as Thursday
evenings. Limited weekend appointments are also available.
To find out more information about our service, or to
schedule an appointment, please call (732) 747-3383.
A behavior history form must be completed
and returned (either by fax or mail) to our office at
least 48 hours prior to your appointment. Please keep
this in mind when choosing your appointment time. History
forms can be downloaded from the links below, or you
can request that they be mailed or faxed to you.
CANINE HISTORY FORM - link coming soon
FELINE HISTORY FORM - link coming soon
Prior to your appointment, please
ask your primary care veterinarian to fax your pet's
medical records and recent labwork to our hospital.
Since behavioral changes can often be secondary to medical
problems, we strongly recommend that you visit your
primary care veterinarian for a full physical examination
before scheduling an appointment with the RBVH Behavior
Service. If indicated, your veterinarian may also recommend
bloodwork, a urinalysis or other diagnostic testing.
Once you have scheduled your appointment, please refer
to Preparing
for Your Behavior Appointment for additional instructions.
Doctor (click name for bio):
Tracy L. Kroll, DVM |
