Changes

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Depending on signs, treatment can include the following:

Depending on signs, treatment can include the following:

* Maintaining an environment that is stable and easily accessible by the animal.

* Maintaining an environment that is stable and easily accessible by the animal

* Medication to improve sleep patterns

* Medication to improve sleep patterns

* Medication to improve cognitive function

* Medication to improve cognitive function

* Medication to alleviate emotional problems (e.g. anxiety)

* Medication to alleviate emotional problems (e.g. [[Feline Fear Overview|anxiety]])

No drugs are licensed to treat FCD, however [[Selegiline|selegiline]]<ref>Landsberg G. Therapeutic options for cognitive decline in senior pets. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2006; 42:407–13.</ref> and propentofylline are sometimes used unlicensed. Serotonergic drugs, such as fluoxetine or clomipramine, may be used to reduce anxiety in cats that show predominantly emotional changes with minimal reduction in cognitive function, drugs such as selegiline may be used when cognitive impairment is the predominant feature. It is important to note that selegiline must not be used concurrently with an SRI/SSRI drug, and that there should be a 2-week washout between the use of these drug types in order to avoid serotonin syndrome. There is little peer reviewed evidence supporting the clinical efficacy of [[Effect of Diet on Behaviour|dietary modification]] and [[Nutraceuticals in Behaviour|supplementation]] in FCD, but diets and supplements including elevated levels of antioxidants, carnitine, phosphatidylserine, arginine, B vitamins and fish oils are commercially promoted for the treatment of FCD based on effects in dogs and laboratory animals.  

No drugs are currently licensed to treat FCD, however [[Selegiline|selegiline]]<ref>Landsberg G. Therapeutic options for cognitive decline in senior pets. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2006; 42:407–13.</ref> and propentofylline are sometimes used unlicensed. Serotonergic drugs, such as fluoxetine or clomipramine, may be used to reduce anxiety in cats that show predominantly emotional changes with minimal reduction in cognitive function, whereas drugs such as selegiline may be used when cognitive impairment is the predominant feature. It is important to note that selegiline must not be used concurrently with an [[Clomipramine|SRI]]/[[Fluoxetine|SSRI]] drug, and that there should be a 2-week washout between the use of these drug types in order to avoid serotonin syndrome. There is little peer reviewed evidence supporting the clinical efficacy of [[Effect of Diet on Behaviour|dietary modification]] and [[Nutraceuticals in Behaviour|supplementation]] in FCD, but diets and supplements including elevated levels of antioxidants, carnitine, phosphatidylserine, arginine, B vitamins and fish oils are commercially promoted for the treatment of FCD based on effects in dogs and laboratory animals.  

====Treatment and management approaches to specific behavioural aspects of FCD====

====Treatment and Management Approaches to Specific Behavioural Aspects of FCD====

*[[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|'''Inappropriate elimination''']]: The many other potential underlying and aggravating medical and behavioural factors should be ruled out and/or treated. Increasing the number of [[Cat Latrines|litter trays]] available, either on different floors or in different rooms which are obvious to the cat and easily accessible (without high edges or being high up) may help avoid house soiling problems.

*[[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|'''Inappropriate Elimination''']]: The many other potential underlying and aggravating medical and behavioural factors should be ruled out and/or treated. Increasing the number of [[Cat Latrines|litter trays]] available, either on different floors or in different rooms which are obvious to the cat and easily accessible (without high edges or being high up) may help avoid house soiling problems.

*'''Disorientation''': Ensure that locations of food, water, litter trays are constant and that the cat's daily routine is maintained as much as possible. If a cat is extremely disorientated or confused it can help to reduce the area accessible to the cat, so it can find its way around more easily.

*'''Disorientation''': Ensure that locations of food, water and litter trays are constant and that the cat's daily routine is maintained as much as possible. If a cat is extremely disorientated or confused it can help to reduce the area accessible to the cat, so it can find its way around more easily.

*'''Unusual sleeping patterns''': Loss of eyesight and hearing may affect the cat's sleep patterns. Increasing daytime and evening activity through play and simulated foraging may enable the cat to sleep better at night, but sedatives may be needed. [[Feline Fear and Stress|Anxiety]] associated with darkness or absence of owners at night may be improved with anti-anxiety medications.

*'''Unusual Sleeping Patterns''': Loss of eyesight and hearing may affect the cat's sleep patterns. Increasing daytime and evening activity through play and simulated foraging may enable the cat to sleep better at night, but sedatives may be needed. [[Feline Fear and Stress|Anxiety]] associated with darkness or absence of owners at night may be improved with anti-anxiety medications.

*'''Exaggerated Vocalisation''': This may be related to anxiety, or confusion and disorientation; the underlying cause should be addressed. [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|Artificial pheromones]] such as the synthetic analogue of the F3 fraction of feline facial and flank marking pheromone may help to reduce stress, by increasing the strength of core territory chemical marks, but this has not been specifically tested in cats with FCD. Serotonergic medication, such as fluoxetine, may be used to reduce anxiety, or medication and die at modification may be used to improve cognition.

*'''Exaggerated Vocalisation''': This may be related to anxiety, or confusion and disorientation; the underlying cause should be addressed. [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|Artificial pheromones]] such as the synthetic analogue of the F3 fraction of feline facial and flank marking pheromone may help to reduce stress, by increasing the strength of core territory chemical marks, but this has not been specifically tested in cats with FCD. Serotonergic medication, such as fluoxetine, may be used to reduce anxiety, or medication and diet modification may be used to improve cognition.

*'''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>.

*'''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 cat's 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==