Changes

*'''Unusual sleeping patterns''': Loss of eyesight and hearing may affect the cat's depth of sleep. Encourage activity during the day and evening through play so the cat is more likely to sleep at night. Anxiety associated with the dark or separation from owners at night may be improved with anti-anxiety medications.

*'''Unusual sleeping patterns''': Loss of eyesight and hearing may affect the cat's depth of sleep. Encourage activity during the day and evening through play so the cat is more likely to sleep at night. Anxiety associated with the dark or separation from owners at night may be improved with anti-anxiety medications.

*'''Exaggerated Vocalisation''': Vocalisation is usually linked to some form of anxiety, so it is important to try and establish the cause of this anxiety and then address it, by either adjusting the environment, using [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|pheromones]] to try and help calm and reassure the cat and encouraging activity during the day to the cat is more likely to be tired and sleep at night. In addition, if anxiety is severe, anti-anxiety medications can be used.  

*'''Exaggerated Vocalisation''': Vocalisation is usually linked to some form of anxiety, so it is important to try and establish the cause of this anxiety and then address it, by either adjusting the environment, using [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|pheromones]] to try and help calm and reassure the cat and encouraging activity during the day to the cat is more likely to be tired and sleep at night. In addition, if anxiety is severe, anti-anxiety medications can be used.  

*'''Reduced activity''': The use of a specialised diet for elderly felines may help<ref>Cupp, C.J., Jean-Philippe, C., Kerr, W.W., Patil, A.R. & Perez-Camargo, G., 2006. Effect of nutritional interventions on longevity of senior cats. International Journal of Applied Research in Medicine 4, 34-50.</ref>

*'''Reduced activity''': The use of a specialised diet for elderly felines may help stimulate activity and mental function<ref>Cupp, C.J., Jean-Philippe, C., Kerr, W.W., Patil, A.R. & Perez-Camargo, G., 2006. Effect of nutritional interventions on longevity of senior cats. International Journal of Applied Research in Medicine 4, 34-50.</ref>.

*'''Social behaviour''': If there are other animals in the household, provide various sleeping areas so the older cat is able to find a safe place to rest if it does not want to interact.

*'''Social behaviour''': If there are other animals in the household, provide various sleeping areas so the older cat is able to find a safe place to rest if it does not want to interact.

   

   

Changes to the cats environment should be kept to an absolute minimum where possible. If changes are necessary they should be made very gradually and carefully, taking special care to reassure the cat so as not to induce stress which can cause the display of further symptoms of FCD<ref>Houpt, K.A. & Beaver, B., 1981. Behavioural problems of geriatric dogs and cats. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 11, 643-652.</ref>.  

Changes to the cats environment should be kept to an absolute minimum where possible. If changes are necessary they should be made very gradually and carefully, taking special care to reassure the cat so as not to induce stress which can cause the display of further symptoms of FCD<ref>Houpt, K.A. & Beaver, B., 1981. Behavioural problems of geriatric dogs and cats. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 11, 643-652.</ref>.

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==