Psychogenic alopecia in cats: 11 cases (1993-1996)
Sawyer, L.S.; Moon-Fanelli, A.A.; Dodman, N.H.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 214(1): 71-74
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 9887943 Document Number: 498265
Factors associated with the onset and propagation of psychogenic alopecia (PA) in cats were investigated in a retrospective study of 11 cats diagnosed at Tufts University school of Veterinary Medicine, Massachusetts, USA. A survey was used to obtain information about breed, sex, age at weaning, frequency and duration of licking bouts, age at onset of PA, situations eliciting licking bouts, results of diagnostic tests, treatment, response to treatment, and current status of the cats. Additional information was obtained from medical records and by telephone conversations with owners and attending veterinarians. Four cats were purebred and 7 were domestic shorthair. Six of the cats were female, 5 were male and all were neutered. Eight cats were kept exclusively indoors. Age at onset of PA ranged from 6 months to 12 years. Environmental stresses initiated or exacerbated PA in 9 cats. Various methods were used to confirm the diagnosis, including therapeutic trials with antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs in 10 cats. All 5 cats treated with clomipramine, 2 of 3 treated with amitriptyline, and 1 of 4 treated with buspirone responded positively. Only 3 cats were still receiving medication at the time of the study. None of those 3 groomed excessively while receiving medication. Psychogenic alopecia resolved in 6 cats after drug treatment, environmental modification, or both. Psychogenic alopecia continued to be a problem in the remaining 2 cats. It is concluded that environmental stress may initiate or exacerbate PA in cats and that drug treatment, environmental modification, or both may be useful in treating affected cats.