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Inappropriate Elimination - Cat (view source)
Revision as of 10:50, 5 March 2014
, 10:50, 5 March 2014no edit summary
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
House soiling is a common problem for owners. There are generally two types, inappropriate elimination and marking behaviour. It is important to differentiate between them to identify the route of the problem, but they can also be present concurrently. Any underlying medical conditions must also be ruled out.
==General Aspects of Investigation of Housesoiling Cases==
==General Aspects of Investigation of Housesoiling Cases==
===Medical Assessment===
===Medical Assessment===
Medical factors are very important in housesoiling and [[marking problems]]. Certain conditions are directly involved in the generation and maintenance of behavioural problems, whilst others are contributory in an indirect sense ''[see box].''
Medical factors are very important in housesoiling and [[marking problems]]. Certain conditions are directly involved in the generation and maintenance of behavioural problems, whilst others are contributory in an indirect sense ''[see box].'' If a case is to be referred to a non-veterinary behaviourist, it is essential to rule out any potential underlying or contributory medical factor.
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In any case of house soiling it is important to consider medical differentials before embarking on a purely behavioural assessment of the problem. Any condition which affects gastrointestinal or urinary tract function is a potential candidate for involvement in cases of inappropriate elimination and a full medical examination is therefore essential. Conditions which result in
polydipsia and polyuria may also be implicated when urine deposits are found in unusual locations and endocrine disorders should be considered when investigating these cases. Any medical condition which alters the cat’s mobility may limit its ability to gain access to latrines, and conditions which alter the animal’s cognitive ability or sensory perception may also contribute to a breakdown in previously well-established house training. Organic disease may also be a factor in cases of undesirable marking behaviour.
The medical workup must include:
The medical workup must include:
* Assessment of mobility, cognitive function and sensory perception
* Assessment of mobility, cognitive function and sensory perception
* Further investigation through haematology, biochemistry or imaging techniques
* Further investigation through haematology, biochemistry or imaging techniques
===Behavioural Assessment===
===Behavioural Assessment===
[[Inappropriate elimination]] and [[indoor marking behaviour]] may be difficult to differentiate in some cases, and in many they occur together. It is important to collect all of the information needed to make a judgement:
* Age of onset
* Age of onset
* Assessment of the cat’s emotional reactions to novelty in the environment and to strangers
* Assessment of the cat’s emotional reactions to novelty in the environment and to strangers
===Using a House Plan===
===Using a House Plan=== ''separate page?''
One of the most useful tools when investigating a problem of feline house soiling is a plan of the house in which the cat lives. This does not need to be a detailed scale drawing but rather a basic plan indicating the layout of rooms in the house, the position of windows, doors and major furniture and the location of major resources such as feeding and watering stations, sleeping locations and play areas. Each individual cat’s favourite resting places and rooms they prefer to inhabit should be noted on the diagram. The client should mark onto this diagram the location of urine and faeces that they have found. ''[see figure]''
One of the most useful tools when investigating a problem of feline house soiling is a plan of the house in which the cat lives. This does not need to be a detailed scale drawing but rather a basic plan indicating the layout of rooms in the house, the position of windows, doors and major furniture and the location of major resources such as feeding and watering stations, sleeping locations and play areas. Each individual cat’s favourite resting places and rooms they prefer to inhabit should be noted on the diagram. The client should mark onto this diagram the location of urine and faeces that they have found. ''[see figure]''
''Certain patterns are classic indicators of a specific underlying motivation. For example, if the first urine marking deposits were found close to external doors and windows it is suggestive that the perceived threat was coming from outside the home, whilst initial deposits in the centre of rooms, corridors or staircases, or onto new pieces of furniture would suggest that the disruption of the cat’s security was coming from within the household.'' As a situation progresses, the pattern becomes more confusing so that it becomes very difficult to identify the originating cause unless the historical development of the pattern of the marking or elimination is known. For example, urine marking may progress from door and window areas to hallways and rooms if a neighbourhood despot begins to invade the resident cat’s home.
''Certain patterns are classic indicators of a specific underlying motivation. For example, if the first urine marking deposits were found close to external doors and windows it is suggestive that the perceived threat was coming from outside the home, whilst initial deposits in the centre of rooms, corridors or staircases, or onto new pieces of furniture would suggest that the disruption of the cat’s security was coming from within the household.'' As a situation progresses, the pattern becomes more confusing so that it becomes very difficult to identify the originating cause unless the historical development of the pattern of the marking or elimination is known. For example, urine marking may progress from door and window areas to hallways and rooms if a neighbourhood despot begins to invade the resident cat’s home.
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[[Category:To Do - Behaviour]]
[[Category:To Do - Behaviour]]