Changes

====Drug Therapy====

====Drug Therapy====

Psychoactive medication is indicated in cases of compulsive self-mutilation or severe self-grooming. The Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SRI) drug [[Clomipramine]] may be given once daily. Initially the lower dose rate may be used, with an increase if there is limited improvement after 4-6 weeks. As with other compulsive problems, it is useful for clients to make an assessment of the number and severity of self-grooming bouts seen during the 7-14 day period before treatment, as a baseline. Drug therapy should be gradually phased out over approximately 4-8 weeks, once the cat’s full coat has been restored and a period of 6-8 weeks without further overgrooming has elapsed. Successful drug therapy should produce around 70% reduction in the behaviour and an increase in normal activity as a substitute.

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. Initially the lower dose rate may be used, with an increase if there is limited improvement after 4-6 weeks. As with other compulsive problems, it is useful for clients to make an assessment of the number and severity of self-grooming bouts seen during the 7-14 day period before treatment, as a baseline. Drug therapy should be gradually phased out over approximately 4-8 weeks, once the cat’s full coat has been restored and a period of 6-8 weeks without further overgrooming has elapsed. Successful drug therapy should produce around 70% reduction in the behaviour and an increase in normal activity as a substitute.

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. Relapses are common, but may be managed effectively using the same methods as for initial treatment. Response to successive courses of the same SRI or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) drug may diminish, so that it is sometimes better to treat relapses with a different psychoactive drug from the same class. Any additional underlying factors that may have initiated another period of self-mutilation should then be identified and resolved.

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. Relapses are common, but may be managed effectively using the same methods as for initial treatment. Response to successive courses of the same SRI or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) drug may diminish, so that it is sometimes better to treat relapses with a different psychoactive drug from the same class. Any additional underlying factors that may have initiated another period of self-mutilation should then be identified and resolved.