Veterinary Behaviour Chat
Every week, Double Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviourist and Veterinarian of over 25 years, Dr. Katrin Jahn provides education, knowledge and inspiration on all things Veterinary Behaviour Medicine aka Veterinary Psychiatry. This show is for fellow Vets, Veterinary Nurses and Pet Care Professionals who want to serve their patients and clients better by integrating Veterinary Behaviour Medicine into their everyday practice. The podcast features up-to-date, informative advice on diagnosing and treating behaviour problems in dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and other companion animals in a variety of episodes, including interviews with some of the leading minds in Veterinary Behaviour Medicine. In our Case Study and Case De-Brief episodes, Dr. Katrin demonstrates how she approaches and treats Clinical Behaviour Cases on a practical level, and we hear from pet owners who have achieved fantastic results in treating their pets' behaviour problems.
Episodes
156 The Perils of Nail Trims
Episode 156 – The Perils of Nail Trims This is SUCH an important topic so I was delighted to hear a presentation on nail trims at our recent European College Conference in Slovenia. Far too often, we "squeeze" a nail trim in between consultations or at the end of a consultation, requiring team members to be pulled away from what they are doing to perform an often very scary and aversive proc
155 The use of alpha 2 agonist as PVPs before General Anaesthesia
Episode 155 – The use of alpha 2 agonist as PVPs before General Anaesthesia A question I have received quite frequently recently is whether alpha 2 agonist PVPs such as tasipimidine, detomidine, dexmedetomidine OTM gel or clonidine can safely be given to dogs before intramuscular alpha 2 agonist injection for sedation or general anaesthesia. Have a listen as I chat about my personal experien
154 15 Minute Speed Coaching with Olivia Bury – Getting Caregivers to "Buy In"
Episode 154 – 15 Minute Speed Coaching with Olivia Bury – Getting Caregivers to "Buy In" Welcome to another 15-minute Speed Coaching Session for Veterinary and Pet Care Professionals! The rules of the game are as follows: · Episodes will be in-the-moment, off-the-cuff and unscripted. · Coaching sessions will be 15 Minutes MAXIMUM, so wherever we finish, we finish… ·
153 The Canine Regulation Project with Nina Fotara
Episode 153 – The Canine Regulation Project with Nina Fotara In this episode, holistic dog trainer, Nina Fotara, and I have such a cool conversation about Nina's new venture – The Canine Regulation Project! We dive into questions such as what "Regulation" means to both of us, how we use the concept in our work, and what it means for both the pets and the caregivers we work with. As the conve
152 15 Minute Speed Coaching with Drew Bedor – When to recommend a VB
Episode 152 – 15 Minute Speed Coaching with Drew Bedor – When to recommend a VB Welcome to another 15-minute Speed Coaching Session for Veterinary and Pet Care Professionals! The rules of the game are as follows: · Episodes will be in-the-moment, off-the-cuff and unscripted. · Coaching sessions will be 15 Minutes MAXIMUM, so wherever we finish, we finish… · Which mea
151 Arousal, Valence and links to Behavioural Signs and Treatment
Episode 151 – Arousal, Valence and links to Behavioural Signs and Treatment This episode is inspired by a listener request for me to have a chat about emotional arousal, valence and how these relate to behavioural signs and treatment strategies. I love this topic, which is why I have designed a resource, which you can find in the Trinity Professional Guides E-Book, that talks about exactly thi
150 15 Minute Speed Coaching with Claire Rhodes – B'Mod for Noise Fears
Episode 150 – 15 Minute Speed Coaching with Claire Rhodes – B'Mod for Noise Fears Welcome to another 15-minute Speed Coaching Session for Veterinary and Pet Care Professionals! The rules of the game are as follows: · Episodes will be in-the-moment, off-the-cuff and unscripted. · Coaching sessions will be 15 Minutes MAXIMUM, so wherever we finish, we finish… · Which m
149 Acupuncture in Behaviour Medicine with Dr Carole Parsons
Episode 149 – Acupuncture in Behaviour Medicine with Dr Carole Parsons How do therapies such as acupuncture fit into Veterinary Behaviour Medicine? This is the topic I discuss with UK-based Vet, Dr Carole Parsons, who runs a mobile acupuncture clinic, in this episode of the podcast. I, myself, am a great believer in acupuncture and other complementary therapies but hearing the research evidenc
148 15 Minute Speed Coaching with Sharon Jones – Puppy Socialisation
Episode 148 – 15 Minute Speed Coaching with Sharon Jones – Puppy Socialisation Welcome to another 15-minute Speed Coaching Session for Veterinary and Pet Care Professionals! The rules of the game are as follows: · Episodes will be in-the-moment, off-the-cuff and unscripted. · Coaching sessions will be 15 Minutes MAXIMUM, so wherever we finish, we finish… · Which mean
147 Guanfacine
Episode 147 – Guanfacine Welcome to the second in a little duo of episodes on oral alpha 2 agonists. In last week's episode (146), I spoke about clonidine, and this week, I'll be talking about guanfacine, comparing and contrasting the 2 for you in terms of use and indications. Guanfacine is a really useful psychopharmacological agent that is probably less commonly used than clonidine at this t
146 Clonidine
Episode 146 – Clonidine Welcome to the first in a little duo of episodes on oral alpha 2 agonists. This week, I'll be talking about clonidine, and next week, I'm going to talk about guanfacine – another oral alpha 2 agonist – and compare and contrast the 2 for you in terms of use and indications. Clonidine is a really useful psychopharmacological agent that is quite commonly used as both an ev
145 PVPs for Cats
Episode 145 – PVPs for Cats Cats can be extremely fearful at the Veterinary Clinic and being able to administer medications such as gabapentin before vet visits has been absolutely game-changing for feline practice in the last 10 years or so. Have a listen as I talk you through PVP options other than gabapentin, what doses I commonly use, and which situations I might use them in. I also talk
144 15 Minute Speed Coaching with Olivia Bury – Running a Successful VB Business
Episode 144 – 15 Minute Speed Coaching with Olivia Bury – Running a Successful VB Business Welcome to another 15-minute Speed Coaching Session for Veterinary and Pet Care Professionals! The rules of the game are as follows: · Episodes will be in-the-moment, off-the-cuff and unscripted. · Coaching sessions will be 15 Minutes MAXIMUM, so wherever we finish, we finish… ·
143 Help! The Medications have stopped working!
Episode 143 – Help! The Medications have stopped working! This episode was inspired by a recent consultation where the caregiver had noted a deterioration in their pet's behaviour and wondered whether this was due to the "medications no longer working". Have a listen as I chat through my top 5 things to consider when there is deterioration in behaviour and whether the medications are always
142 Using Trazodone with SSRIs and TCAs
Episode 142 – Using Trazodone with SSRIs and TCAs Can trazodone be safely used in combination with and SSRI or TCA without causing signs of Serotonin Syndrome? This is one of the most frequently asked questions I hear, especially from GP vets. Have a listen as I chat through my thoughts on this topic and refer back to one of the original studies on trazodone from 2008 where it was used as
141 Why "Gaba/Traz" is not always the best option
Episode 141 – Why "Gaba/Traz" is not always the best option This episode was inspired by a lecture I gave at BVA Live 2026 and the ensuing questions and discussion about the use of Pre-Visit Pharmaceuticals. The truth is that while gabapentin and trazodone can be a good PVP combination for some canine patients, it should not be used as a "one size fits all" approach for all dogs requiring an
140 15 Minute Speed Coaching with Sharon Jones – Dogs and Car Journeys
Episode 140 – 15 Minute Speed Coaching with Sharon Jones – Dogs and Car Journeys Welcome to another 15-minute Speed Coaching Session for Veterinary and Pet Care Professionals! The rules of the game are as follows: · Episodes will be in-the-moment, off-the-cuff and unscripted. · Coaching sessions will be 15 Minutes MAXIMUM, so wherever we finish, we finish… · Which me
139 Can I offer Veterinary Behaviour Consultations without being a Trainer?
Episode 139 – Can I offer Veterinary Behaviour Consultations without being a Trainer? This episode was inspired by a Zoom Call question from one of my lovely participants of Learn To Speak Dog and Learn To Speak Cat, who is in the process of setting up a Veterinary Behaviour Service in a new hospital she has started working in. Her concern is that she can't yet offer consultations as she has n
138 To Avoid or not to Avoid – That is the Question!
138 To Avoid or not to Avoid – That is the Question! The avoidance of triggers and stimuli is such an important part of the treatment plan and falls into the Management "M" of the "7 Ms" Veterinary Behaviour Treatment Plan Template! However, it is also the part that gets possibly the most pushback from caregivers for a number of different reasons. In this episode, I chat through those reason
137 Interoception – The 8th Sense
Episode 137 – Interoception – The 8th Sense This episode was inspired by the 3rd Case Call of "The Behaviour Case Collective" Membership where Dr Amber Batson and I co-presented a case where gastro-intestinal health had a big impact on Behaviour. During this conversation, the idea of Interoception was spoken about, and I thought it would be a GREAT topic to dive into! Interoception is one of
136 Cooperative Care with Charlotte Lewis
Episode 136 – Cooperative Care with Charlotte Lewis I am always talking about bridging the gap between Veterinary Professionals and great non-Veterinary Professionals and encouraging more collaborative ways of working to best serve our patients and their families. So, when I heard that Charlotte runs a Cooperative Care Service at her local Veterinary Practice, provides CPD to the Vets at the p
135 15-minute Speed Coaching – Advocating for Behaviour in Practice with Nikki McLeod
Episode 135 – 15-minute Speed Coaching – Advocating for Behaviour in Practice with Nikki McLeod Welcome to another 15-minute Speed Coaching Session for Veterinary and Pet Care Professionals! The rules of the game are as follows: · Episodes will be in-the-moment, off-the-cuff and unscripted. · Coaching sessions will be 15 Minutes MAXIMUM, so wherever we finish, we finish… ·
134 Escitalopram
Episode 134 – Escitalopram Escitalopram is a really useful SSRI that is quite commonly prescribed by Veterinary Behaviour Specialists or veterinarians with a strong interest in Behaviour Medicine but is possibly sometimes overlooked by general practitioners. So, I thought we'd do a bit of a deep dive into escitalopram and the things you, as professionals, need to know about this medication.
133 What's new in CCDS – Working Group Guidelines for Diagnosis and Monitoring
Episode 133 – What's new in CCDS – Working Group Guidelines for Diagnosis and Monitoring In this episode, I talk through the 2026 Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Working Group Guidelines for Diagnosis and Monitoring of CCDS. As a caregiver of a senior dog myself, this is a topic very close to my heart, so when these guidelines came out, I had to dig into them to get the very latest information
132 Paroxetine
Episode 132 – Paroxetine Paroxetine is a really useful SSRI that is quite commonly prescribed by Veterinary Behaviour Specialists or veterinarians with a strong interest in Behaviour Medicine but is possibly sometimes overlooked by general practitioners. So, I thought we'd do a bit of a deep dive into paroxetine and the things you, as professionals, need to know about this medication. Here's
131 15-minute Speed Coaching with Charlotte Lewis – Hormones…A Case Discussion
Episode 131 – 15-minute Speed Coaching with Charlotte Lewis – Hormones…A Case Discussion Welcome to another 15-minute Speed Coaching Session for Veterinary and Pet Care Professionals! The rules of the game are as follows: · Episodes will be in-the-moment, off-the-cuff and unscripted. · Coaching sessions will be 15 Minutes MAXIMUM, so wherever we finish, we finish… ·
130 Behaviour and GI Health with Dr Amber Batson
Episode 130 – Behaviour and GI Health with Dr Amber Batson We all know what a big and relevant topic this is at the moment as we are increasingly finding that our Behaviour Patients co-present with gut health disorders. In this incredible episode, Dr Amber Batson and I take a whistlestop tour through Behaviour and GI Health and what we have commonly found in our Veterinary Behaviour Patients b
129 Sertraline
Episode 129 – Sertraline Sertraline is a really useful SSRI that is quite commonly prescribed by Veterinary Behaviour Specialists or veterinarians with a strong interest in Behaviour Medicine but is possibly sometimes overlooked by general practitioners. So, I thought we'd do a bit of a deep dive into sertraline and the things you, as professionals, need to know about this medication. Here's
128 Safety & Predictability, Control, Choice & Agency
Episode 128 – Safety & Predictability, Control, Choice & Agency The last 4 weeks of our lives here in Abu Dhabi have been interesting to say the least. Being under constant threat from Iranian missiles and hearing the loud "booms" of the interceptors taking care of them has been like nothing I have experienced before. Living in this state of unrest really got me thinking about what we take f
127 15-minute Speed Coaching with Dr Julie Liu
Episode 127 – 15-minute Speed Coaching with Dr Julie Liu Welcome to another 15-minute Speed Coaching Session for Veterinary and Pet Care Professionals! The rules of the game are as follows: · Episodes will be in-the-moment, off-the-cuff and unscripted. · Coaching sessions will be 15 Minutes MAXIMUM, so wherever we finish, we finish… · Which means that we might not fi
126 The Trinity Treatment Plan Template
Episode 126 – The Trinity Treatment Plan Template I created this Treatment Plan Template to help keep me focused and organized during consultations and to ensure that I didn't miss a thing when writing my comprehensive report for my caregivers. Based on the "7 M" approach to creating Veterinary Behaviour Treatment Plans, this template covers all the bases, ensures you don't overwhelm caregiv
125 Behaviour and Thyroid Disease
Episode 125 – Behaviour and Thyroid Disease This is a big topic, and I really enjoyed diving into it. I think we can all agree that the outdated notion that low thyroid hormone levels in dogs directly causes aggression is exactly that – outdated. However, changes or dysregulation in thyroid hormone levels in both dogs and cats can still affect behaviour and this is what I chat about in this ep
124 The Behaviour Case Collective
Episode 124 – The Behaviour Case Collective Welcome to The Behaviour Case Collective, a one-of-a-kind Veterinary Behaviour Medicine Membership that deep-dives into a Behaviour Case every month. What are the benefits? 1. A Specialist-led approach to a common Veterinary Behaviour presentation each month. 2. Guest speakers and presenters where appropriate. 3. Relevant literatu
123 15-minute Speed Coaching with Dr Laura Stoeker
Episode 123 – 15-minute Speed Coaching with Dr Laura Stoeker Welcome to another 15-minute Speed Coaching Session for Veterinary and Pet Care Professionals! The rules of the game are as follows: · Episodes will be in-the-moment, off-the-cuff and unscripted. · Coaching sessions will be 15 Minutes MAXIMUM, so wherever we finish, we finish… · Which means that we might no
122 Canine Sociability with Daniel Shaw
Episode 122 – Canine Sociability with Daniel Shaw Dogs are social creatures and the need for social connection and social experiences as well as the lack of those can sometimes result in unwanted behavioural presentations. In this super-cool episode, Daniel and I chat about: · The difference between fear or panic when dogs are separated from social partners and frustration at lackin
121 The Veterinary Behaviour Launchpad and FREE Masterclass
Episode 121 – The Veterinary Behaviour Launchpad and FREE Masterclass I am SO excited to introduce you to my brand-new course – The Veterinary Behaviour Launchpad. A course that will literally help you launch your journey of integrating behavioural thinking into your practice. This course is perfect for you if you: · Are a vet or vet nurse who wants to improve clinical outcomes by
120 Suspicion of Chronic Pain with Dr Hannah Capon
Episode 120 – Suspicion of Chronic Pain with Dr Hannah Capon One of the questions I get asked most frequently is how, if you are suspicious that your patient may be experiencing pain or discomfort, to relay this suspicion to the pet's GP vet or caregiver. Oftentimes, we see something during a consultation – a change in capability, posture, gait or behaviour – that makes us think there may be a
119 15-minute Speed Coaching with Dr Lilla Balatonyi
Episode 119 – 15-minute Speed Coaching with Dr Lilla Balatonyi Welcome to another 15-minute Speed Coaching Session for Veterinary and Pet Care Professionals! The rules of the game are as follows: · Episodes will be in-the-moment, off-the-cuff and unscripted. · Coaching sessions will be 15 Minutes MAXIMUM, so wherever we finish, we finish… · Which means that we mig
118 A Conversation with Triple Boarded Veterinary Behaviourist, Dr Kersti Seksel
Episode 118 – A Conversation with Triple Boarded Veterinary Behaviourist, Dr Kersti Seksel What an honour to have this conversation with my good friend and residency mentor, triple boarded Veterinary Behaviourist, Dr Kersti Seksel. Kersti is one of the most inspirational pioneers of the Veterinary Behaviour industry, being boarded not only in America and Europe but also Australia. Have a lis
117 Melatonin
Episode 117 – Melatonin This was such an interesting episode to record and one that certainly left me with more questions than answers. In response to a question posed by a listener, I did a bit of a deep dive into melatonin, which resulted in some very interesting findings… The general consensus about the use of melatonin within the Veterinary Behaviour world is that we simply don't have en
116 Happy New Year
Episode 116 – Happy New Year In this episode, I look back at 2025 and everything that was achieved at Trinity Veterinary Behaviour… The courses, the most popular of which has been PSYCHOACTIVE – Practical Veterinary Psychopharmacology, which launched in April 2025 and just took off! https://katrin-jahn.mykajabi.com/psychoactive Alongside that sit my "Learn To Speak Dog" and "Learn To Speak Ca
115 15-minute Speed Coaching with Kseniia Oliinykova
Episode 115 – 15-minute Speed Coaching with Kseniia Oliinykova Welcome to another 15-minute Speed Coaching Session for Veterinary and Pet Care Professionals! The rules of the game are as follows: · Episodes will be in-the-moment, off-the-cuff and unscripted. · Coaching sessions will be 15 Minutes MAXIMUM, so wherever we finish, we finish… · Which means that we might
114 Hyperactivity – HSHA - Hyperkinesis
Episode 114 – Hyperactivity – HSHA - Hyperkinesis This is quite a big episode and a very interesting topic - definitely one that I am hearing more conversations and questions about. In this episode, I will talk about the "classification" of hyperactivity – what it is, what it is not, the differential diagnoses that need to be considered before declaring a diagnosis of hyperactivity or hyperkin
113 Equine Behaviour Medicine with Dr Gemma Pearson
Episode 113 – Equine Behaviour Medicine with Dr Gemma Pearson Wow, wow, wow, what a great episode and, obviously, a topic that, as an owner of 2 Sports Horses, is so very close to my heart. Dr Gemma Pearson is a truly inspiring individual who has carved out an impressive career niche in Equine Veterinary Behaviour Medicine. This has allowed her to make an incredible difference in the equestria
112 Feline Human Directed Aggression
Episode 112 – Feline Human Directed Aggression Aggressive cats can be just as scary as aggressive dogs – to some people even more so as their body language may not be as easy to understand as that of dogs. Feline Human Directed Aggression can be difficult to pick apart and coming up with a diagnosis really requires a good understanding of feline behaviour. In this episode, I chat through my ma
111 15-minute Speed Coaching with Dr Dawn Brooks
Episode 111 – 15-minute Speed Coaching with Dr Dawn Brooks This episode is another of our super popular 15-minute Speed Coaching Sessions for Veterinary- and Pet Care Professionals! The rules of the game are as follows: · Episodes will be in-the-moment, off-the-cuff and unscripted. · Coaching sessions will be 15 Minutes MAXIMUM, so wherever we finish, we finish… · Wh
110 Clomipramine
Episode 110 – Clomipramine Clomipramine is one of only a few licensed Veterinary Psychopharmaceuticals we have available (e.g. Clomicalmâ), so I thought we'd do a bit of a deep dive into clomipramine and the things you, as professionals, need to know about this medication. Here's what you'll learn: · Indications for and uses of clomipramine in Veterinary Medicine. · Commonl
109 Professional Guides E-Book
Episode 109 – Professional Guides E-Book I am SO excited to introduce my brand-new Professional Guides E-Book to you! This E-Book was created with You – The Professional – in mind. It currently comprises 12 amazing resources on 45 pages, some of which are guides, some are checklists, some are handouts designed for GP vets and more… Have a listen as I talk you through the 12 initial resourc
108 SSRIs versus TCAs
Episode 108 – SSRIs versus TCAs This is where things start to get so interesting when it comes to Veterinary Psychopharmacology! Understanding the similarities and differences between medication classes – in this case the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and the Tricyclic Antidepressants is a crucial aspect when it comes to Behaviour Medications. There are actually a lot of similarities
107 15-minute Speed Coaching with Hayley Rees
Episode 107 – 15-minute Speed Coaching with Hayley Rees Welcome to our brand-new episode format – 15-minute Speed Coaching Sessions for Veterinary- and Pet Care Professionals! The rules of the game are as follows: · Episodes will be in-the-moment, off-the-cuff and unscripted. · Coaching sessions will be 15 minutes MAXIMUM, so wherever we finish, we finish… · Which me
106 Multi-Cat Households - Treating more than just the Patients
Episode 106 – Multi-Cat Households - Treating more than just the Patients Here in the UAE, I see many multi-cat households with behavioural presentations. These households can range from 2 to 32 (my biggest ever MCH!) cats and are hugely complex to understand, assess, evaluate and treat. If you know anything about feline behaviour, you know that cats are socially flexible, non-socially oblig
105 15-minute Speed Coaching with Sharon Jones
Episode 105 – 15-minute Speed Coaching with Sharon Jones Welcome to our brand-new episode format – 15-minute Speed Coaching Sessions for Veterinary- and Pet Care Professionals! The rules of the game are as follows: · Episodes will be in-the-moment, off-the-cuff and unscripted. · Coaching sessions will be 15 Minutes MAXIMUM, so wherever we finish, we finish… · Which
104 Why Behaviour and Pain are Intertwined
Episode 104 – Why Behaviour and Pain are Intertwined I had an incredible time at the WSAVA Congress in Rio and one of the things that I really took away as a musing from the Congress is the question as to whether or how we can differentiate pain from emotional states such as anxiety. We know that pain has an emotional component – often fear or anxiety – so do we therefore need to be more compreh
103 15-minute Speed Coaching with Victoria Shepherd
Episode 103 – 15-minute Speed Coaching with Victoria Shepherd Welcome to our brand-new episode format – 15-minute Speed Coaching Sessions for Veterinary- and Pet Care Professionals! The rules of the game are as follows: · Episodes will be in-the-moment, off-the-cuff and unscripted. · Coaching sessions will be 15 Minutes MAXIMUM, so wherever we finish, we finish… · W
102 Fluoxetine
Episode 102 – Fluoxetine Fluoxetine is a commonly prescribed Veterinary Psychopharmaceutical, so I thought we'd do a bit of a deep dive into fluoxetine and the things you, as professionals, need to know about this medication. Here's what you'll learn: · Indications for and uses of fluoxetine in Veterinary Medicine (and some super easy ways to remember them), · Commonly seen
101 Resilience in Dogs with Bobbie Bhambree
Episode 101 – Resilience in Dogs with Bobbie Bhambree I absolutely loved this conversation with the wonderful Bobbie Bhambree, Dog Trainer and Behaviourist, about her game-changing work around Resilience and Resilience Conditioning in dogs. Bobbie shares the story of how she and Veterinary Neuroscientist, Kathy Murphy, developed the Canine Resilience Rainbow, how it evolved and where it is now.
100 Welcome to The Veterinary Behaviour Chat
Episode 100 – Welcome to The Veterinary Behaviour Chat Welcome to the very first episode of The Veterinary Behaviour Chat Podcast, the evolution from The Pet Behaviour Chat! In this first episode of The Veterinary Behaviour Chat, I talk about the journey behind this re-brand and re-launch, and my vision for the future of the podcast. This is a space for Vets, Vet Nurses and Pet Care Profession
099 Tanya and Bruno's Story
Episode 99 – Tanya and Bruno's Story This is one of my favourite patient- and client stories! From the beautiful island of Samos in Greece to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, Bruno has had a very varied and sometimes challenging life. Tanya reached out to me when Bruno became increasingly sound sensitive after arriving in Abu Dhabi, to the point where he hid under a storage rack in the basement for 23 h
098 The 4 Pillars of reducing Fear, Anxiety and Stress in the Veterinary Clinic
Episode 98 – The 4 Pillars of reducing Fear, Anxiety and Stress in the Veterinary Clinic Improving emotional safety and the patient experience in the Veterinary Clinic is such a passion topic of mine and I loved recording this episode on the 4 main areas I focus on when it comes to reducing fear, anxiety and stress in our Veterinary Patients. Here are the 4 main areas you'll learn about: 1.
097 Risk Assessment
Episode 97 – Risk Assessment Comprehensively assessing the risk of a Behaviour Case can be one of the most important things to do when you are first presented with a patient. Whether you're a GP vet faced with a tricky situation, a Vet or Veterinary Nurse with an interest in Veterinary Behaviour Medicine, or a non-Veterinary Behaviour practitioner, it is always really good practice to perform
096 The Veterinary Behaviour First Aid Kit
Episode 96 – The Veterinary Behaviour First Aid Kit How many times does it happen that a patient presents with a Behavioural Presentation that you don't feel fully equipped to deal with? Or the client just happens to mention at the end of a consultation – as they're walking out of the door – that their cat has been urinating outside of the litter box or that their dog has been recently aggress
095 What's New in FIC in Cats
Episode 95 – What's New in FIC in Cats Feline Idiopathic Cystitis is such a fascinating disease from a Veterinary Behaviour Medicine perspective as it poses the perfect intersection between physical and behavioural health. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, is mainly seen in younger cats under 10 years of age (2-7 years is most common), and can be triggered or exacerbated by stressful events. O
094 Client Education and Managing Expectations
Episode 94 – Client Education and Managing Expectations Wow, this turned into a bit of a philosophical episode… because these are topics I have been thinking about and contemplating a lot lately. What is it that actually creates a positive outcome in the Veterinary Behaviour Medicine World? Of course, behaviour change in the patient is an important part, but what about a shift in the expectati
093 Side Effects from Psychotropic Medications
Episode 93 – Side Effects from Psychotropic Medications Side effects are something we ALL think about when prescribing any medication for our patients, not just psychopharmaceuticals. But for some reason, whether it's because these meds are still so unknown to many in the industry, or because of experiences we have heard from people – friends, family – who have been prescribed these medication
092 Pica and GI Disease in Dogs and Cats
Episode 92 – Pica and GI Disease in Dogs and Cats What a fascinating topic and one I've been thinking a lot about in recent weeks. We have seen a spike in foreign body surgeries at my clinic in Abu Dhabi in recent weeks – as we all know, these things tend to come in 3s – and this, together with the publication of the below paper in JAVMA, has really had myself and my team thinking about best p
091 Open Concept
Episode 91 – Open Concept I absolutely love pushing the boundaries of what is possible in Veterinary Medicine and indeed the Veterinary Industry. In this thought-provoking episode, Nora and I chat about our newly embraced "Open Concept", which allows for more transparency, owner presence and owner contribution to their pets' health and treatment. I totally understand that this may be a challen
090 Preparing for an Aggressive Dog Consultation
Episode 90 – Preparing for an Aggressive Dog Consultation As Veterinary Behaviourists, safety is an extremely important part of our practice – safety for ourselves, our teams, safety for third parties and safety for the caregivers as well as the patients. Safety is especially important when we regularly see patients that are being presented for aggressive behaviours and that have a bite histor
089 Holiday Choices for Cats – Home or Cattery?
Episode 89 – Holiday Choices for Cats – Home or Cattery? We all want what is best for our feline friends and that includes ensuring their happiness, safety and behavioural health while we are on holiday or traveling. But what IS actually best for them? · To stay at home in their familiar surroundings and territory? · To stay in a cattery where they will have company and be mo
088 Serotonin Syndrome - What you need to know!
Episode 88 – Serotonin Syndrome - What you need to know! Serotonin Syndrome, also known as Serotonin Toxicity, is the most severe side effect of serotonergic medication and can potentially be fatal if not treated and managed. Therefore, understandably, many vets are very cautious when it comes to prescribing serotonergic agents and especially when combining serotonergic agents such as an SSRI
087 The importance of sleep in our pets – a conversation with Dr Carrie Tooley
Episode 87 – The importance of sleep in our pets – a conversation with Dr Carrie Tooley Sleep!!!! Honestly, this is a topic I have been thinking about so much lately and this amazing conversation with Dr Carrie Tooley just reinforces how important sleep is to the mental and emotional health of our pets and patients! What you'll learn in this episode: 1. How sleep plays a role in emotion
086 Behaviour Signs and Neurotransmitters
Episode 86 – Behaviour Signs and Neurotransmitters When I first started out in Veterinary Behaviour Medicine, knowing which Behaviour Medication to choose for any given patients was a real struggle. I didn't really know what to base my choices on, often reached for the same medication over and over again without really knowing why and just hoping that I'd made the right decision. Sound familiar?
085 Setting Up a Behaviour Service with RVN Nikki McLeod
Episode 85 – Setting Up a Behaviour Service with RVN Nikki McLeod Veterinary Nurses are INVALUABLE when it comes to promoting Behavioural Health within Veterinary Practices. In this episode, I chat to RVN, Nikki McLeod about her current exciting journey of setting up a Behaviour Service within the practice she works in, what her challenges have been, what her wins have been and what she has le
084 Assessing and Managing Inter-Cat Tension & Aggression Cases
Episode 84 – Assessing and Managing Inter-Cat Tension & Aggression Cases This week, I saw a 2-cat, a 4-cat and an 8-cat home, all with diagnoses of inter-cat tension or inter-cat aggression. These cases can be really complex to work up and understanding the fine nuances of cat-cat sociability can be really challenging. In this episode, I share the things I think about and the questions I ask w
083 We are what we eat. A conversation about Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in dogs and cats - with Dr Gaelle Joanny
Episode 83 – We are what we eat. A conversation about Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in dogs and cats - with Dr Gaelle Joanny This is SUCH an epic episode. The quality of conversation with Dr Gaelle Joanny always blows my mind and I am so grateful to be able to share this with you. I have spoken about Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in dogs and cats before – check out episodes 55 & 57 of this p
082 How young is too young to start Behaviour Meds?
Episode 82 – How young is too young to start Behaviour Meds? "Oh, I'm sure they'll grow out of it…". A phrase that makes my heart sink when it comes to young dogs with obvious behavioural diagnoses. Now, what do I mean by "young"? We're talking about dogs somewhere between 6 and 12 months of age and yes, it is absolutely possible that these youngsters already have a behavioural diagnosis based
081 Janice and Robbie's Story
Episode 81 – Janice and Robbie's Story Robbie is probably one of the most anxious dogs I have seen in my 6 years working as a Veterinary Psychiatrist. His behaviour got so bad that his lovely caregiver, Janice, had to sleep on the sofa with him for several weeks, neither of them getting much sleep. When I first met him, Robbie would pace, pant, patrol the home, lick walls and cupboards, and pa
080 The Business of Behaviour
Episode 80 – The Business of Behaviour In this episode, I chat to Jo and Vicky from Canine Business Academy, (guys, I had a blooper when I introduced Jo & Vicky's business – It is Canine BUSINESS Academy, not Canine Behaviour Academy – sorry, my bad…), a company based in the UK, dedicated to helping Pet Behaviour Professionals create successful and profitable businesses. We talk about the st
079 PSYCHOACTIVE Launch
Episode 79 – PSYCHOACTIVE Launch I am so excited to present this course to the world! An online course dedicated to teaching you what you need to know to get started on your Veterinary Psychopharmacology Journey! Here's what you'll find inside: THE PLAYERS WHO, WHEN and WHY (The What and How comes later...) LONG-ACTING SHORT-ACTING BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER...PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS NON
078 Supporting Pets and Caregivers on their Medication Journey
Episode 78 – Supporting Pets and Caregivers on their Medication Journey What are some of the conversations I have with caregivers when it comes to deciding if psychotropic medication in an option for their beloved pet? And what do I discuss with them about the "onboarding" process? How do I manage their expectations and concerns? And what are some of their most frequent worries and how do I ad
077 Considerations for Multi Cat Households with Lisa Sinnott
Episode 77 – Considerations for Multi Cat Households with Lisa Sinnott Multi Cat Households can be challenging environments for the cats that live in them and also the caregivers that live with those cats, especially if there are hostile or aggressive events between the cats. In this episode, I chat to non-veterinary behaviourist, Lisa Sinnott about the types of cases she sees in the UK comp
