Changes

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Given that stress and anxiety are significant factors in overgrooming, it is vital to improve the cat’s physical and social environment to reduce underlying stress. Increasing the range of activities available to the cat will use up a greater proportion of its time and energy budget, leaving less time for grooming. A proper assessment of inter-cat relationships within the home should be made, so that underlying psychosocial stress may be alleviated. More information is available in the sections on [[Housesoiling - Cat|feline housesoiling]] and [[Feline Aggression|feline aggression]]. If specific events or stimuli are associated with signs of [[Feline Fear and Stress|anxiety, fear]] or directly with bouts of excessive grooming, then these may be desensitised and counter-conditioned. Any additional underlying factors that may have initiated another period of self-mutilation should then be identified and resolved. Relapses are common, but may be managed effectively using the same methods as for initial treatment.

Given that stress and anxiety are significant factors in overgrooming, it is vital to '''improve the cat’s physical and social environment to reduce underlying stress'''. Increasing the range of activities available to the cat will use up a greater proportion of its time and energy budget, leaving less time for grooming. A proper assessment of inter-cat relationships within the home should be made, so that underlying psychosocial stress may be alleviated. More information is available in the sections on [[Housesoiling - Cat|feline housesoiling]] and [[Feline Aggression|feline aggression]]. If specific events or stimuli are associated with signs of [[Feline Fear and Stress|anxiety, fear]] or directly with bouts of excessive grooming, then these may be desensitised and counter-conditioned. Any additional underlying factors that may have initiated another period of self-mutilation should then be identified and resolved. Relapses are common, but may be managed effectively using the same methods as for initial treatment.

====Drug Therapy====

====Drug Therapy====

Psychoactive medication is indicated in cases of "compulsive" over-grooming, or over-grooming that is leading to self-mutilation, or over-grooming with a strong underlying aspect of anxiety. Serotonergic medication such as the serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) drug [[Clomipramine]] or the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drug fluoxetine have anxiolytic and anti compulsive effects. Fluoxetine can also improve impulse control in impulsive individuals. With clomipramine, cats may show adverse effects of lethargy and anorexia at higher doses, so treatment should start with a lower dose, increasing if there is no effect after 4-6 weeks. Clients should record the number and severity of self-grooming bouts seen during the 7-14 day period before treatment, as a baseline. Minimum treatment period is usually 6-8 months, with treatment being withdrawn once the cat's coat is fully restored and there has been a period of 6-8 weeks without signs of over-grooming or self mutilation. The withdrawal period should be 1 week per month of treatment, with withdrawal in three stages (75%, 50% and then 25% of therapeutic dose). Successful drug therapy should produce around 70% reduction in the behaviour and an increase in normal activity as a substitute. If there is a relapse, psychoactive drug treatment can be reinitiated. However, anecdotally, the response to successive courses of the same SRI or SSRI drug may diminish, so that it is sometimes better to treat relapses with a different psychoactive drug from the same class.

Psychoactive medication is indicated in cases of "compulsive" over-grooming, or over-grooming that is leading to self-mutilation, or over-grooming with a strong underlying aspect of anxiety. Serotonergic medication such as the serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) drug [[Selective Serotonine Reuptake Inhibitor Drugs|clomipramine]] or the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drug [[Selective Serotonine Reuptake Inhibitor Drugs|fluoxetine]] have anxiolytic and anti-compulsive effects. Fluoxetine can also improve impulse control in impulsive individuals. With clomipramine, cats may show adverse effects of lethargy and anorexia at higher doses, so treatment should start with a low dose, increasing it if there is no effect after 4-6 weeks. Clients should record the number and severity of self-grooming bouts seen during the 7-14 day period before treatment, as a baseline. The minimum treatment period is usually 6-8 months, with treatment being withdrawn once the cat's coat is fully restored and there has been a period of 6-8 weeks without signs of over-grooming or self mutilation. The withdrawal period should be 1 week per month of treatment, with withdrawal in three stages (75%, 50% and then 25% of therapeutic dose). Successful drug therapy should produce around 70% reduction in the behaviour and an increase in normal activity as a substitute. If there is a relapse, psychoactive drug treatment can be reinitiated. However, anecdotally, the response to successive courses of the same SRI or SSRI drug may diminish, so that it is sometimes better to treat relapses with a different psychoactive drug from the same class.

====Summary of Treatment for Grooming Disorders====

====Summary of Treatment for Grooming Disorders====

[[Category:JBowen reviewed]]

[[Category:JBowen reviewed]]

[[Category:Feline Compulsive Disorders]]

[[Category:Feline Compulsive Disorders]]