Changes

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

Prognosis depends upon the owner’s commitment to carry out what may be a lengthy course of behavioural therapy, along with making potentially permanent changes in the cat’s husbandry and environment.

Prognosis depends upon the owner’s commitment to carry out what may be a lengthy course of behavioural therapy, alongside making potentially permanent changes to the cat’s husbandry and environment.

In cases where cats are being asked to live in large feline groups with several unrelated individuals it is important to consider the welfare implications for the cats concerned and in cases of inter-cat aggression within the household, re-homing should be considered as a viable treatment option rather then a sign of therapeutic failure. Despotic cats that terrorise the neighbourhood carry a poor prognosis unless there is considerable co-operation between owners with regards to confinement, either permanent or on a rota basis.  

In cases where cats are being asked to live in large feline groups with several unrelated individuals it is important to consider the welfare implications for the cats concerned. In cases of inter-cat aggression within the household, re-homing should be considered as a viable treatment option rather than a sign of therapeutic failure. Despotic cats that terrorise the neighbourhood carry a poor prognosis unless there is considerable co-operation between owners with regards to confinement, either permanent or on a rota basis.  

The nature of the aggressive behaviour is important. Defensive behaviour has a better prognosis because it is possible to reduce the perception of threat and to provide the cat with alternative opportunities to deal with fear [such as through escape or avoidance behaviour]. Offensive aggression carries a more guarded prognosis unless full recovery from some underlying medical pathology can be achieved. Hyperthyroid cats, for example, carry a good prognosis for reform once the underlying pathology has been treated.  

The nature of the aggressive behaviour is important. Defensive behaviour has a better prognosis because it is possible to reduce the perception of threat and to provide the cat with alternative opportunities to deal with fear [such as through escape or avoidance behaviour]. Offensive aggression carries a more guarded prognosis unless full recovery from some underlying medical pathology can be achieved. Hyperthyroid cats, for example, carry a good prognosis for reform once the underlying pathology has been treated.  

Other indicators of a good prognosis include selection of alternative coping strategies, such as retreating and hiding, in cats that are fearful or anxious and improvements in effective feline communication between warring cats in the same household. Decrease in both the intensity and the frequency of the aggressive incidents should be seen as favourable prognostic signs. Owners often find it difficult to be objective regarding progress in cases of feline aggression and there can be a considerable differential between actual change and the owner’s perception of alterations in the cat’s behaviour. It is therefore essential to persuade owners to keep a daily diary and to record all aggressive incidents, together with notes about the context or trigger for the behaviour. Likewise a record should be kept of affiliative behaviour because a shift in the balance between these types of behaviour is a strong indicator of change.

Other indicators of a good prognosis include selection of alternative coping strategies, such as retreating and hiding in cats that are fearful or anxious, and improvements in effective feline communication between warring cats in the same household. Decrease in both the intensity and the frequency of the aggressive incidents should be seen as favourable prognostic signs. Owners often find it difficult to be objective regarding progress in cases of feline aggression and there can be a considerable differential between actual change and the owner’s perception of alterations in the cat’s behaviour. It is therefore essential to persuade owners to keep a daily diary and to record all aggressive incidents, together with notes about the context or trigger for the behaviour. Likewise a record should be kept of affiliative behaviour because a shift in the balance between these types of behaviour is a strong indicator of change.

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