Changes

'''Stress-related causes for hair loss and self-injury should only be considered once all medical causes have been eliminated'''. However, stress is known to alter immune function, either exacerbating auto-immune disease or allergy, or causing immune suppression. The precise effect appears to depend upon the type of stress the individual experiences. Living in a stressful social or physical environment will therefore contribute to the worsening of many of the medical conditions that are differentials for compulsive overgrooming. Success in the treatment of these conditions may improve if the cat’s living conditions are improved.

'''Stress-related causes for hair loss and self-injury should only be considered once all medical causes have been eliminated'''. However, stress is known to alter immune function, either exacerbating auto-immune disease or allergy, or causing immune suppression. The precise effect appears to depend upon the type of stress the individual experiences. Living in a stressful social or physical environment will therefore contribute to the worsening of many of the medical conditions that are differentials for compulsive overgrooming. Success in the treatment of these conditions may improve if the cat’s living conditions are improved.

Overgrooming may be considered "compulsive" when it is excessive, ritualised, repetitive, non-functional, and interferes with the performance of normal behaviour.

Overgrooming may be considered "compulsive" when it is excessive, ritualised, repetitive, non-functional, and interferes with the performance of normal behaviour. However, it also resembles the pattern of body-focussed repetitive behaviour seen in humans, which is now considered to arise from a problem of impulse control.

===Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome (FOPS)===

===Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome (FOPS)===