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→Signs and Diagnosis
==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 [[: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:
'''Behaviours signs of FCD include'''<ref>Gunn-Moore, D., Moffat, K., Christie, L.A. & Head, E., 2007. Cognitive dysfunction and the neurobiology of ageing in cats. Journal of Small Animal Practice 48, 546-553.</ref><ref name= "Landsberg2" />:
*'''Reduced activity'''
:*Moves around the home environment less, plays, and grooms less, but sleeps more.
*'''Unusual sleeping patterns'''
:*Sleeping longer during the day, waking up at night, restless when asleep, increased vocalisation at night
*'''Disorientation'''
:*Gets lost, even in familiar places, staring either at specific things, aimless wandering, inability to find way around or over objects.
*'''Memory and learning'''
:*[[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|Inappropriate elimination]] outside litter tray, including in sleeping areas or near food. May be unable to recognise people or pets.
*'''Social behaviour'''
:*Decreased interest in being stroked, or interacting with people or other animals or becomes increasingly dependent and doesn't like being alone.
*'''Anxiety'''
:*Restlessness, increaesed vocalisation and general irritability.
Since a number of these signs could arise from, or be aggravated by, medical conditions it is essential to 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
*[[Feline Fear and Stress|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.
Conversely, failure to treat concurrent painful or debilitating conditions, such as arthritis, will lead to an apparent failure of response to FCD treatment.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==