What to expect
Overview
Consultations are available either in-person or remotely. In-person consultations are usually recommended, as they allow for the most complete and comprehensive assessment of your pet.
Our in-person consultations take place at our dedicated behaviour clinic in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. The clinic is designed specifically for behaviour work, providing a calm and supportive environment to help pets feel as comfortable as possible. The consultation room is spacious, and if it is safe to do so, pets are free to move around during the session. Resting spaces and water are always available, and caregivers are welcome to bring their pet’s own bed, toys, and treats to help them settle.
Appointments are spaced so that only one consultation takes place at a time. This means no busy waiting rooms, no unexpected encounters with other pets, and a quieter, more predictable experience for everyone.
Wilson’s Veterinary Behaviour Referrals uses only welfare friendly, positive methods, including reward based training.
For cats local to the clinic, home visits may be possible. These are arranged on a casebycase basis at the discretion of Wilson’s Veterinary Behaviour Referrals.
The initial consultation
Consultations usually take up to two hours, although more complex cases may require a little longer. Before your appointment, the main caregiver will be asked to complete a detailed form about their pet and the behaviours of concern. You may also be asked to provide videos, such as gait footage, to help build a clearer picture ahead of time. A veterinary referral form and a copy of your pet’s medical history will also be required so that Beverley can understand any relevant health factors. All of this information is reviewed thoroughly before the consultation.
The consultation itself is an opportunity to explore the behaviour in more depth and to clarify any points raised in the paperwork. This allows Beverley to provide an assessment, including the potential reasons behind the behaviour and the likely prognosis. Treatment options will be discussed, and together you will begin to shape a plan moving forward.
At the end of the consultation, you will receive a summary of the key points and the initial plan. A more detailed written report will then be sent to both you and your referring vet over the following days. This marks the beginning of your behaviour support journey.
After the initial consultation
With any problem behaviour, a behaviour modification plan will be necessary to help improve the situation. The consultation fee includes up to two complementary calls (up to 30 minutes each) to take place within the three months following the consultation. The timing of these calls will be recommended by Beverley, as this will depend on the severity of the behaviour and any associated risks. During these calls, Beverley will answer questions arising from the report or from the early stages of implementing the behaviour modification plan, helping you to put the agreed plan into practice.
After these calls, further followup support consultations are available and can be booked at times convenient for you. These can take place in-person or online and are available as 30 minute or 60 minute appointments. This means that each caregiver can select the level of support that is right for them and their pet. Some problems are relatively straightforward and may require fewer followup consultations, while others can be more challenging or may require additional support for the caregiver as they work through the plan. Beverley can also advise on the level of support that may be beneficial, such as suggesting a followup call after a set number of weeks to allow time for a particular medication or part of the plan to take effect.
As a veterinary surgeon, Beverley is able to provide ongoing veterinary input and liaise directly with the referring vet throughout the process to ensure they remain fully informed and up to date on the pet’s progress. Any medications or investigations indicated will be recommended to the referring vet, who will then be asked to dispense the medication or conduct the further investigations. Beverley will continue to liaise with the vet during this time (provided the pet is within a follow-up support period).
In line with guidance from the veterinary regulatory body, pets will need to be seen for a followup support consultation every three months in order to remain under the care of Wilson’s Veterinary Behaviour Referrals. However, do not worry if this time lapses as referring vets can re-refer a pet and an initial consultation can be conducted to recommence the care and support period offered by Wilson’s Veterinary Behaviour Referrals.
Consultation costs
Initial consultation
The initial consultation costs £600 and includes the consultation, referral report, and up to two complimentary followup calls (up to 30 minutes each, to be conducted within the three months following the consultation). Consultations are by appointment only and are available during the week and at the weekend, both during the day and in the evenings. Please note, there are no additional costs for evening or weekend appointments.
Wilson’s Veterinary Behaviour Referrals is able to offer emergency consultations (typically within a week of referral) as well as routine appointments.
Follow-up support consultations
Followup support consultations are available as either 30minute sessions for £50 or 60minute sessions for £100. Caregivers are welcome to book as many sessions as they feel they need, allowing them to access the level of support that best suits them and their pet.
Please note, pets will need to be seen for a followup support consultation every 3 months to remain under the care of Wilson’s Veterinary Behaviour Referrals. If there has been more than a 3month lapse since the last call, a new referral will be needed from the referring vet, and an initial consultation will be required to obtain a comprehensive update on the pet and the problem behaviour.
