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Q. Where does the behavioral consultation take place?
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A. All consultations are performed in the client's home. This allows me to observe the pet in his/her everyday surroundings and gain a better understanding of the behavioral problem.
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Q. When are appointments scheduled?
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A. Consultations are scheduled Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm. If your schedule does not allow you to make an appointment during these times, it may be possible to schedule an evening or weekend appointment for an additional fee.
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Q. Do I have to take notes during the appointment?
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A. You are encouraged to take any notes that you will need to implement the treatment plan. Also, a written summary the history of the problem, the diagnosis and the treatment plan will be mailed, faxed or emailed to you within 3-5 days of the appointment.
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Q. What do I need to do to prepare for my pet's appointment?
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A. You will need to complete a written history form and return it to me at least 2 days prior to your pet's appointment (request a history form HERE). If it is possible to safely obtain video or pictures of the problem behavior, please have those available at the time of the appointment. I also encourage you to provide any additional information that you feel may be related to your pet's behavioral problem.
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Q. Who should attend the consultation?
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A. All family members or friends that routinely interact with the pet when the problem behavior occurs are encouraged to attend.
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Q. Will medications or supplements be part of the treatment plan?
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A. Using medications alone will rarely solve a behavioral problem. However, pets with certain conditions may benefit greatly when medications are used in combination with behavior modification exercises. If I feel that your pet is a candidate for medication use, we will discuss possible ways to incorporate this into the treatment plan during the appointment.
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Q. Are you able to prescribe medications for my pet?
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A. Yes. As a licensed veterinarian, I am able to provide you with medications that are recommended as part of a treatment plan. Prescriptions will be filled through an online pharmacy, a local pharmacy, or through your regular veterinarian.
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Q. Will my pet's regular veterinarian be included in this process?
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A. Your veterinarian should fax your pet's medical record and the results of any recent diagnostic tests to (651) 286-3215 prior to your pet's behavioral appointment. After the consultation, I will fax or mail the summary to your veterinarian so that they are aware of the treatment recommendations.
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Q. Do I need a referral from my veterinarian to make an appointment?
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A. I do not require a referral in order to schedule a consultation. However, your pet does need to have an established relationship with a primary care veterinarian in case blood tests or other diagnostic procedures are recommended as part of the treatment plan.
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Q. I am a veterinarian and I have a patient that I would like to refer to you. Where can I get a referral form to send to you?
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A. Click here to download a referral form. Once it is completed, please fax it to (651) 286-3215 and I will contact the client to schedule an appointment.
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Q. How far will you travel for an appointment?
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A. This service is available for the entire states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Mileage fees apply for all diagnostic and recheck appointments.
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Q. How long does an appointment last?
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A. Most diagnostic consultations take from 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 hours. Recheck appointments are typically 1 to 1-1/2 hours long.
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Q. How much does a diagnostic appointment cost?
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A. The diagnostic consultation is $335 (plus mileage) for cats and $365 (plus mileage) for dogs. This includes 3 months of follow-up communication by phone / email at no additional charge.
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Q. What if one appointment isn't enough?
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A. The charge for a recheck appointment is $195 (plus mileage). This also includes 3 months of follow-up communication by phone / email at no additional charge. Ongoing support by email / phone is also available for $95 for each additional 3 month period of time.
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Q. What is the travel fee for appointments?
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A. This is currently $0.95/mile. Roundtrip mileage is calculated from White Bear Lake, MN to your home address using an online mapping website.
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Q. What methods of payment do you accept?
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A. I accept checks and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover). Payment is due at the time of your pet's appointment.
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Q. Do you recommend euthanasia for behavior problems?
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A. If your pet presents a significant risk of injury to themselves or to others, euthanasia may be discussed as a possible option. If this is the case for your pet, we will work through a risk assessment and discuss whether this decision is best for your pet and your family.
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Q. Do you guarantee results?
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A. Because we are working with living creatures, it is not possible to guarantee a specific outcome. However, I will help you to determine realistic expectations and will continue to work with you until the problem is addressed to your satisfaction.
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