The use of behaviourally-active medication in companion animals part 3
Abstract
Behaviour cases are common in general practice and veterinary nurses can play a vital role in their identification and management. Full behavioural assessment and implementation of a behaviour modification protocol remains essential, but increasingly animals may also be prescribed psychoactive medications. The third part of this article outlines some of the ways in which veterinary nurses can contribute to improving the behavioural welfare of the animals under their care. In addition to being behaviourally aware at all times when handling animals in the veterinary surgery, veterinary nurses can play an important role in identifying those cases that may benefit from additional behavioural support and, where appropriate, behaviourally-active medication. Knowing what to expect when animals are treated with these medications will also ensure that nurses can best support the owners of animals that are undergoing treatment.
The first two parts of this article covered the various behaviourally-active drugs and how they can be used to treat problem behaviours in dogs and cats. The third part of this article will look more widely at the ways veterinary nurses can support the behavioural welfare of their patients. Nurses are very well placed to do this because, in addition to observing and handling animals in the surgery, they also interact with their owners. This means they are likely to come across animals that might benefit from additional behavioural support, and possibly also behaviourally-active medication. It is therefore important that nurses are able to identify these animals and advise their owners appropriately. This may include giving behavioural first aid advice to ensure safety and reduce the risk of the problem behaviour getting worse in the short-term, arranging an appointment for a veterinary examination and, where appropriate, referral to a suitably-qualified behaviourist. An understanding of the potential effects and side-effects of the various behaviourally-active drugs will also ensure veterinary nurses are able to effectively support owners who are considering the use of behaviourally-active medication for their animals, as well as those whose pets are already receiving it.
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