Psychogenic alopecia in cats: 11 cases (1993–1996)

Abstract

Objective: To determine signalment, history, clinical signs, and response to treatment of cats with psychogenic alopecia (PA) and to identify factors associated with its onset and propagation. Design: Retrospective study. Animals: 11 cats. Procedure: A survey was used to obtain information about breed, sex, age at time of weaning, frequency and duration of licking bouts, age at time of 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. Results: Four cats were purebred, and 7 were domestic shorthair. Six were female, and 5 were male; all were neutered. Eight cats were kept exclusively indoors. Age at time of 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 this 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. Clinical Implications: Environmental stress may initiate or exacerbate PA in cats. Drug treatment, environmental modification, or both may be useful in treatment of affected cats. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1999;214:71–74)