Changes

====Treatment and management approaches to specific behavioural aspects of FCD====

====Treatment and management approaches to specific behavioural aspects of FCD====

*[[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|'''Inappropriate elimination''']]: This particular sign has various potential medical causes, so these must be ruled out. Increasing the number of [[Cat Latrines|litter trays]] available, either on different floors or in different rooms which are obvious to the cat and easily accessible (without high edges or being high up) may help avoid house soiling problems.

*[[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|'''Inappropriate elimination''']]: The many other potential underlying and aggravating medical and behavioural factors should be ruled out and/or treated. Increasing the number of [[Cat Latrines|litter trays]] available, either on different floors or in different rooms which are obvious to the cat and easily accessible (without high edges or being high up) may help avoid house soiling problems.

*'''Disorientation''': Ensure that locations of food, water, litter trays are constant and that the cat's daily routine is maintained the same 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, 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 depth of sleep. Encourage activity during the day and evening through play so the cat is more likely to sleep at night. [[Feline Fear and Stress|Anxiety]] associated with the dark or separation from 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''': Vocalisation is usually linked to some form of anxiety, so it is important to try and establish the cause of this anxiety and then address it, by either adjusting the [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour|environment]], using [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|pheromones]] to try and help calm and reassure the cat and encouraging activity during the day to the cat is more likely to be tired and sleep at night. In addition, if anxiety is severe, anti-anxiety medications can be used.  

*'''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 die at 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.