Changes

==Signs and Diagnosis==

==Signs and Diagnosis==

A complete medical and behavioural history is essential for the accurate diagnosis of FCD, this is especially important in older animals. This should be accompanied by a laboratory work up, as well as a thorough physical examination with special consideration of neurological conditions. As with all behavioural disorders it is important to ensure that any medical causes for unusual behaviour are ruled out. Medical conditions which could cause behaviour similar to that of FCD include:

A complete medical and behavioural history is essential for the accurate diagnosis of FCD, this is especially important in older animals. This should be accompanied by a laboratory work up, as well as a thorough physical examination with special consideration of [[:Category:Neurological Diseases - Cat|neurological conditions]]. As with all behavioural disorders it is important to ensure that any medical causes for unusual behaviour are ruled out. Medical conditions which could cause behaviour similar to that of FCD include:

*Arthritis  

*Arthritis  

*Dental pain

*Dental pain

*Thyroid dysfunction

*[[Hyperthyroidism|Thyroid dysfunction]]

*Diabetes mellitus

*[[Diabetes Mellitus|Diabetes mellitus]]

*Neoplasms

*Neoplasms

*Gastrointestinal conditions

*[[:Category:Alimentary Diseases - Cat|Gastrointestinal conditions]]

*Reduced sight and/or hearing

*Reduced sight and/or hearing

*Urinary tract disease

*[[:Category:Urological Diseases - Cat|Urinary tract disease]]

*Hepatic disease

*[[:Category:Liver Diseases - Cat|Hepatic disease]]

*Hypertension

*[[Systemic Hypertension|Hypertension]]

*Neurologic conditions, including neoplasms, motor and sensory deficits

*[[:Category:Neurological Diseases - Cat|Neurologic conditions]], including neoplasms, motor and sensory deficits

*Infectious causes, including FIV, FLV

*Infectious causes, including [[FIV]], [[FeLV]]

*Stress

*[[Feline Fear and Stress|Stress]]

Although all medical causes for FCD must first be excluded and if present treated, their presence does not necessarily eliminate the simultaneous existences of FCD.  

Although all medical causes for FCD must first be excluded and if present treated, their presence does not necessarily eliminate the simultaneous existences of FCD.  

:*Gets lost, even in familiar places, staring either at specific things or just generally, aimless wandering, inability to find way around or over objects.

:*Gets lost, even in familiar places, staring either at specific things or just generally, aimless wandering, inability to find way around or over objects.

*'''Memory and learning'''

*'''Memory and learning'''

:*Inappropriate elimination outside litter tray, including in sleeping area or near food. May be unable to recognise people or pets.

:*[[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|Inappropriate elimination]] outside litter tray, including in sleeping area or near food. May be unable to recognise people or pets.

*'''Social behaviour'''

*'''Social behaviour'''

:*Decreased interest in being stroked, or interacting with people or other animals or becomes increasingly dependent and doesn't like being alone.

:*Decreased interest in being stroked, or interacting with people or other animals or becomes increasingly dependent and doesn't like being alone.