Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

House soiling is the commonest behavioural problem reported by cat owners <ref>Beaver, S. (1989) Housesoiling by cats: a retrospective study of 120 cases. "JAVMA". 25:631-637.</ref><ref>Borchelt, P.L., Voith, V.L. (1986) Elimination behavior problems in cats. "Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet". 197-207, 1986.</ref>. House soiling is an umbrella term for problems in which urine or faeces are deposited inappropriately in the home, with two sub categories of problem being [[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|inappropriate elimination]] and [[Indoor Marking - Cat|indoor marking behaviour]]. It is important to differentiate between these problems as they require differing types of treatment. Since they often relate to an underlying cause due to fear or anxiety, inappropriate elimination and indoor marking can occur concurrently. Underlying medical conditions must also be ruled out before a behavioural diagnosis is considered.

House soiling is the most common behavioural problem reported by cat owners <ref>Beaver, S. (1989) Housesoiling by cats: a retrospective study of 120 cases. "JAVMA". 25:631-637.</ref><ref>Borchelt, P.L., Voith, V.L. (1986) Elimination behavior problems in cats. "Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet". 197-207, 1986.</ref>. '''House soiling is an umbrella term for problems in which urine or faeces are deposited inappropriately in the home''', with two sub categories of problem being [[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|inappropriate elimination]] and [[Indoor Marking - Cat|indoor marking behaviour]]. It is important to differentiate between these problems as they require differing types of treatment. Since they often relate to an underlying cause due to fear or anxiety, inappropriate elimination and indoor marking can occur concurrently. Underlying medical conditions must also be ruled out before a behavioural diagnosis is considered.

==Medical Assessment==

==Medical Assessment==

Medical factors are very important in housesoiling and [[Indoor Marking - Cat|marking problems]]. Medical problems can underlie and cause behavioural problems, or they can contribute to them (see box). For example, conditions causing PU/PD can cause an indoor elimination problem by increasing the urgency to urinate in a cat that has problems accessing a latrine quickly, or it can contribute to an increase the frequency of indoor elimination in a cat that already has a behavioural problem.

Medical factors are very important in housesoiling and [[Indoor Marking - Cat|marking problems]]. Medical problems can underlie and cause behavioural problems, or they can contribute to them (see table). For example, conditions causing PU/PD can cause an indoor elimination problem by increasing the urgency to urinate in a cat that has problems accessing a latrine quickly, or it can contribute to an increased frequency of indoor elimination in a cat that already has a behavioural problem.

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The medical workup must include:

'''The medical workup must include:'''

* Medical history.

* Medical history

* Clinical examination – including abdominal palpation.

* Clinical examination – including abdominal palpation

* Urinalysis.

* Urinalysis

* Assessment of mobility, cognitive function and sensory perception.

* Assessment of mobility, cognitive function and sensory perception

* Further investigation through haematology, biochemistry or imaging techniques, as required.

* Further investigation through haematology, biochemistry or imaging techniques, as required.