<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> The present report describes a case of distal tail self-mutilation in a 5-year-old neutered male domestic short-hair cat. The cat started licking his tail few months before the behavioural visit. Because of the severity of the self-induced injuries, the veterinarian performed a surgical partial caudectomy. After 3 months, the excessive self-grooming of the tail recurred. Neurological and dermatological examinations, radiographs, urine and blood tests did not show any abnormalities. During the behavioural visit, through direct observation of the cat’s posture and behavioural history, the pet received a diagnosis of psychogenic alopecia. The cat was treated with clomipramine for 2 months (0.5 mg/kg/PO SID) along with behaviour modification and environmental changes. After 1 month, the cat no longer showed excessive self-grooming. Even if no other systemic pathologies were identified, it is always recommended to address these patients with a multidisciplinary approach.</p></abstract>

The present report describes a case of distal tail self-mutilation in a 5-year-old neutered male domestic short-hair cat. The cat started licking his tail few months before the behavioural visit. Because of the severity of the self-induced injuries, the veterinarian performed a surgical partial caudectomy. After 3 months, the excessive self-grooming of the tail recurred. Neurological and dermatological examinations, radiographs, urine and blood tests did not show any abnormalities. During the behavioural visit, through direct observation of the cat’s posture and behavioural history, the pet received a diagnosis of psychogenic alopecia. The cat was treated with clomipramine for 2 months (0.5 mg/kg/PO SID) along with behaviour modification and environmental changes. After 1 month, the cat no longer showed excessive self-grooming. Even if no other systemic pathologies were identified, it is always recommended to address these patients with a multidisciplinary approach.

A Case of Tail Self-Mutilation in a Cat

Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria (DiMeVet)

Macedonian Veterinary Review

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

{"article-title":"A Case of Tail Self-Mutilation in a Cat"}

The present report describes a case of distal tail self-mutilation in a 5-year-old neutered male domestic short-hair cat. The cat started licking his tail few...

A Case of Tail Self-Mutilation in a Cat

Article Category: Case Report

Publicado en línea: 15 mar 2017

Páginas: 103 - 107

Recibido: 05 jul 2016

Aceptado: 17 oct 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/macvetrev-2016-0098

Palabras clave
cat, compulsive behaviours, psychogenic alopecia, self directed behaviours, caudectomy

© 2017

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

A Case of Tail Self-Mutilation in a Cat

Article Category: Case Report

Publicado en línea: 15 mar 2017

Páginas: 103 - 107

Recibido: 05 jul 2016

Aceptado: 17 oct 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/macvetrev-2016-0098

Palabras clavecat, compulsive behaviours, psychogenic alopecia, self directed behaviours, caudectomy

© 2017

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Palabras clave
cat, compulsive behaviours, psychogenic alopecia, self directed behaviours, caudectomy