Hi there! Thanks for all you do. I saw your post about animal behaviorists being overwhelmed, which makes a ton of sense and inspires my question. How do you know when to visit the vet, versus when to visit a behaviorist? Is it always best practice to rule as much out as you can with a vet first? And if so, what's the best way to respectfully advocate for your pet at the vet, to rule out as much as you can before seeking other help? Ours has been resistant to doing a mite/flea test for my cat.
vet-and-wild here.
You generally need a referral to a behaviorist and most of them book out way in advance so it's not something that people can just walk in and do one day. Your vet will have to refer you to a behaviorist so either they feel that they can't manage the behavior and/or the owner wants a more specialized approach. It's really a case by case basis because every vet has different comfort levels with behavior. Plus you do want to run basic blood work (generally a full panel including thyroid function). Behaviorists want to know if there are any abnormalities before starting a treatment plan or meds.
You can ask for a referral at any time. Some places will actually have you fill out a form first and then they will contact the vet's office so you don't have to. Owners always have the right to seek out another opinion. As long as you're polite about it we won't be offended.
GV here.
Just wanted to pop in and say that there aren’t any mite or flea tests for cats. You check the cat for fleas physically with a comb, and/or look for signs of flea bite allergies like scabbing, hair loss, dermatitis, etc. Meanwhile mites can be seen through the magnification of an otoscope, or even with the naked eye occasionally. So the likelihood is that your vet has already ruled out mites and fleas!
