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It is thought that FCD affects 28% of cats between the ages of eleven and fourteen, and 50% of cats over fifteen years old <ref name="Landsberg2">Landsberg, G.M., Denenberg, S., Araujo, J.A., 2010. Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats: A Syndrome we Used to Dismiss as 'Old Age'. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 12: 837</ref>. Although clinical signs in cats generally seem to become evident at around ten to eleven years old, neurones in the caudate nucleus start to show functional changes by six-seven years of age<ref>Levine MS, Lloyd RL, Fisher RS, Hull CD, Buchwald NA. Sensory, motor and cognitive alterations in aged cats. Neurobiol Aging 1987; 8: 253–63</ref><ref>Levine MS, Lloyd RL, Hull CD, Fisher RS, Buchwald NA. Neurophysiological alterations in caudate neurons in aged cats. Brain Res 1987; 401:213–30</ref><ref>Harrison J, Buchwald J. Eyeblink conditioning deficits in the old cat. Neurobiol Aging 1983; 4:45–51</ref>. Diagnosis of CDS in cats is a greater challenge than in dogs, as the signs are often less apparent due to the cat's independent outdoor lifestyle.
It is thought that FCD affects 28% of cats between the ages of eleven and fourteen, and 50% of cats over fifteen years old <ref name="Landsberg2">Landsberg, G.M., Denenberg, S., Araujo, J.A., 2010. Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats: A Syndrome we Used to Dismiss as 'Old Age'. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 12: 837</ref>. Although clinical signs in cats generally seem to become evident at around ten to eleven years old, neurones in the caudate nucleus start to show functional changes by six-seven years of age<ref>Levine MS, Lloyd RL, Fisher RS, Hull CD, Buchwald NA. Sensory, motor and cognitive alterations in aged cats. Neurobiol Aging 1987; 8: 253–63</ref><ref>Levine MS, Lloyd RL, Hull CD, Fisher RS, Buchwald NA. Neurophysiological alterations in caudate neurons in aged cats. Brain Res 1987; 401:213–30</ref><ref>Harrison J, Buchwald J. Eyeblink conditioning deficits in the old cat. Neurobiol Aging 1983; 4:45–51</ref>. Diagnosis of CDS in cats is a greater challenge than in dogs, as the signs are often less apparent due to the cat's independent outdoor lifestyle.
==Signs and Diagnosis==
==Investigation==
'''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" />:
'''Behavioural 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'''
*'''Reduced activity'''
:Moves around the home environment less, plays, and grooms less, but sleeps more.
:Moves around the home environment less, plays, and grooms less, but sleeps more.
*'''Disorientation''': Ensure that locations of food, water and litter trays are constant and that the cat's daily routine is maintained as much as possible. If a cat is extremely disorientated or confused it can help to reduce the area accessible to the cat, so it can find its way around more easily.
*'''Disorientation''': Ensure that locations of food, water and litter trays are constant and that the cat's daily routine is maintained as much as possible. If a cat is extremely disorientated or confused it can help to reduce the area accessible to the cat, so it can find its way around more easily.
*'''Unusual Sleeping Patterns''': Loss of eyesight and hearing may affect the cat's sleep patterns. Increasing daytime and evening activity through play and simulated foraging may enable the cat to sleep better at night, but sedatives may be needed. [[Feline Fear and Stress|Anxiety]] associated with darkness or absence of owners at night may be improved with anti-anxiety medications.
*'''Unusual Sleeping Patterns''': Loss of eyesight and hearing may affect the cat's sleep patterns. Increasing daytime and evening activity through play and simulated foraging may enable the cat to sleep better at night, but sedatives may be needed. [[Feline Fear and Stress|Anxiety]] associated with darkness or absence of owners at night may be improved with anti-anxiety medications.
*'''Exaggerated Vocalisation''': This may be related to anxiety, or confusion and disorientation; the underlying cause should be addressed. [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|Artificial pheromones]] such as the synthetic analogue of the F3 fraction of feline facial and flank marking pheromone may help to reduce stress, by increasing the strength of core territory chemical marks, but this has not been specifically tested in cats with FCD. Serotonergic medication, such as fluoxetine, may be used to reduce anxiety, or medication and diet modification may be used to improve cognition.
*'''Exaggerated Vocalisation''': This may be related to anxiety, or confusion and disorientation; the underlying cause should be addressed. Pheromonotherapy and/or serotonergic medication, such as fluoxetine, may be used to reduce anxiety, or medication and diet modification may be used to improve cognition.
*'''Reduced Activity''': The use of a specialised diet for elderly felines may help stimulate activity and mental function<ref>Cupp, C.J., Jean-Philippe, C., Kerr, W.W., Patil, A.R. & Perez-Camargo, G., 2006. Effect of nutritional interventions on longevity of senior cats. International Journal of Applied Research in Medicine 4, 34-50.</ref>.
*'''Reduced Activity''': The use of a specialised diet for elderly felines may help stimulate activity and mental function<ref>Cupp, C.J., Jean-Philippe, C., Kerr, W.W., Patil, A.R. & Perez-Camargo, G., 2006. Effect of nutritional interventions on longevity of senior cats. International Journal of Applied Research in Medicine 4, 34-50.</ref>.
*'''Social Behaviour''': If there are other animals in the household, provide various sleeping areas so the older cat is able to find a safe place to rest if it does not want to interact.
*'''Social Behaviour''': If there are other animals in the household, provide various sleeping areas so the older cat is able to find a safe place to rest if it does not want to interact.
Changes to the cat's environment should be kept to an absolute minimum where possible. If changes are necessary they should be made very gradually and carefully, taking special care to reassure the cat, so as not to induce stress which can cause the display of further symptoms of FCD<ref>Houpt, K.A. & Beaver, B., 1981. Behavioural problems of geriatric dogs and cats. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 11, 643-652.</ref>.
Changes to the cat's environment should be kept to an absolute minimum where possible. If changes are necessary they should be made very gradually and carefully, taking special care to reassure the cat, so as not to induce stress which can cause the display of further symptoms of FCD<ref>Houpt, K.A. & Beaver, B., 1981. Behavioural problems of geriatric dogs and cats. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 11, 643-652.</ref>. [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|Artificial pheromones]] such as the synthetic analogue of the F3 fraction of feline facial marking pheromone may help to reduce stress, by increasing the strength of core territory chemical marks, but this has not been specifically tested in cats with FCD.
==Prognosis==
==Prognosis==
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{{Jon Bowen reviewed
{{Jon Bowen reviewed
|date = July 4, 2014
|date = August 28, 2014
}}
}}
{{Ceva}}
{{OpenPages}}
[[Category:Feline Problem Behaviour]]
[[Category:Feline Problem Behaviour]]