FAQs

Preparing for the Consultation

Do I need a referral from my primary veterinarian in order to be able to schedule a Pet Psychiatry consultation with Dr. Malamed?

You do not need a referral; however, we highly suggest that your primary veterinarian continue to take part in all aspects of your pet’s health and well-being. Upon request, Dr. Malamed will provide your veterinarian with a full written report of your pet’s visit.

How long is the appointment with Dr. Malamed?

The initial pet psychiatry consultation is 1.5 hours long.

What are your fees?

Appointment fees are based on Dr. Malamed’s expertise, individualized treatment plan, length of appointment, and telephone follow-up, and are comparable to those of other veterinary specialists. Please contact Dr. Malamed for her fee schedule.

Is behavior medicine covered by pet insurance?

Many pet insurance companies will cover the cost of a behavior consultation with a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists). Please inquire directly with your pet insurance company.

Why can’t I get free advice over the telephone?

Legally, Dr. Malamed must have a valid doctor–patient relationship before she can diagnose and provide individualized treatment. However, if you are seeking general information on pet psychiatry and behavior, feel free to follow Dr. Malamed on social media or inquire about her courses.

Will the clinician prescribe medication for my pet’s behavior problem?

Dr. Malamed may prescribe or recommend medications in addition to science-based behavior therapy and environmental modification, IF she determines that it is necessary to treat your pet. This is determined on a case-by-case basis and only once she has conducted a full assessment and made a diagnosis.

Does Dr. Malamed conduct appointments virtually or in-person?

Yes, Dr. Malamed offers an accessible hybrid model of both virtual and in-person pet psychiatry consultations. There are legal requirements to establish an IN-PERSON veterinary–patient–client relationship (VCPR) for certain prescriptions. Otherwise, a VCPR can be established remotely within the state of California. Dr. Malamed also offers vet-to-vet consultations.

What is a “meet and greet”?

Prior to the remote behavior consultation, a veterinary–client–patient relationship (VCPR) is established through a brief, 5–10 minute in-person curbside “meet and greet”. This gives Dr. Malamed a chance to meet and observe your pet firsthand.

Although recommended, the “Meet and Greet” or in-person VCPR is only legally required for future prescribing purposes (if medications are warranted upon full assessment). In the state of California, remote consultations or telemedicine can otherwise legally proceed without an in-person VCPR. This is beneficial if your ability to access a behavior consult is limited by travel distance or your pet’s travel-related stress. If you prefer not to have a Meet and Greet, please let Dr. Malamed know.

Who should be at the appointment?

All family members should make an attempt to be at the appointment, so that all of the involved people can give input into the history of your pet’s behavior problem, as well as be present for the discussion of the treatment of the problem.

If your pet’s problem is fighting with another household pet, we ask that no more than two animals be present at the appointment without prior approval from Dr. Malamed. A video of their interactions reveals a lot about their problem (see below on how to set up the video sessions).

What should I do prior to my appointment?

There are some things that you can do to help prepare for your appointment. First and foremost, exercise safety precautions if your pet is aggressive. Do not put your pet into situations which are potentially dangerous to you, your pet, other people or animals.

You should keep a journal of the following:

Interactions with family members and other pets.
Triggers of the problem behavior.
What your response is to the problem behavior.
If your pet is urine marking or eliminating inappropriately, determine the areas and count the number of times per day or per week your pet marks or eliminates there.
In many situations, it is recommended that your regular veterinarian perform basic lab tests such as a Complete Blood Count (CBC), Chemistry panel, and urinalysis prior to the appointment. These results should be faxed to us along with the medical records prior to your behavior appointment.
If it can be acquired safely, a video of the pet displaying the behavior can be extremely helpful to the evaluation process.

How do I video record my pet?

As mentioned previously, exercise safety precautions if your pet is aggressive. Do not put your pet into situations which are potentially dangerous to any person or animal.

You may wish to record prior to your appointment for several reasons:

To visualize where your pet spends its time, so that we can better understand your particular situation.
To better understand your pet’s relationship with family members and other household pets, if applicable.
To characterize your pet’s behavior when left alone.

You do not need to invest in fancy, high-tech video equipment. You can use a smartphone, webcam, iPad, or other video device.

Unless you are acquiring a video of your pet’s behavior when left alone, the length of the video does not need to be more than a few minutes.

If you record your pet with potential separation related disorder or compulsive/repetitive behavior:

Do not record your pet if you feel that your pet will harm itself. Set up a camera in your house WHEN YOU ARE NOT HOME. Place the camera to visualize as much area as possible or the particular area where your pet spends his/her time when alone.

If you videotape cats/dogs who are fighting with other animals in the house:

Again, EXERCISE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS so that there is no risk of injury to any of the animals. If necessary, they should be separated by leash and/or behind gates or glass doors. Dr. Malamed can determine quite a bit by body language between the pets. If possible, videotape your pet in normal situations, such as at play and rest, on walks, in your yard, and while interacting with different family members.

If you videotape your pet that is urinating in the house:

Display the areas where your pet has eliminated. If possible, catch your pet in the act.