“Behaviourist “advising drug therapy

RE: “Behaviourist “advising drug therapy

Jill Butterworth — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 17:21:43 GMT

I don't want to specifically comment on wether Xanax is correct in this situation or not, but a lot of clinical behaviourists use it, so it would be better to refer to a veterinary behaviourist/vet with an interest in behaviour who can prescribe, in my view. This is obviously a grey area, as behaviourists might be taught about behaviour pharmacology but don't have the right to prescribe, so they're passing the buck to you, asking you to prescribe a drug (and the responsibility and caveats needed when training with an amnesic drug) which is outside your area of your expertise...

RE: “Behaviourist “advising drug therapy

Chris Geddes — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 09:50:53 GMT

Report him to trading standards because he told the owner to go to their vet and ask them to prescribe something? Really?!

RE: “Behaviourist “advising drug therapy

Sarah Keir — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 09:49:30 GMT

The RCVS only regulates vets and nurses. If you want to report it needs to be to trading standards. Remeber to check with VDS and RCVS first before breaking owner confidentiality.

RE: “Behaviourist “advising drug therapy

Bob Russell — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 09:47:45 GMT

I have dealt with a behaviourist locally and been impressed by her extensive knowledge. She has degree level university training (not behaviour).

I was asked to prescribe fluoxetine based on CPD she had done and papers studied.

I requested links to this work which she supplied without complaint (actually was pleased I was taking her seriously). The dog was at the last chance saloon so having read some good papers, I prescribed her suggested medication. Seems to be working at the moment.

Some of these people are glorified dog trainers but some are not!

Xanax is a very strong drug, frequently misused by humans. If you are prescribing it for a patient I would suggest you need to know patient and owner fairly well! Fluoxetine is a much safer drug but this is a six month old puppy so good training should be enough in the vast majority of cases.

RE: “Behaviourist “advising drug therapy

Chris Geddes — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 09:19:51 GMT

He's recommending, not prescribing, so I don't think he's breaking any laws. I wonder if your best course of action might be to try to work with him. He may be arrogant and closed-minded, but he may not be - he may be open to being educated. Say you don't think it's appropriate in this case. Say that you work well with other behaviourists in your area and suggest a "meeting" (even if a half hour phone call) to discuss how best to work with him on cases in the future - where you tell him in which cases you use drugs for behavioural cases.