Page 1000 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

CHAPTER NUMBER - CHAPTER TITLE

PART 12

Cat with behavioral problems

46. The cat with aggression

Kersti Seksel

KEY SIGNS
● Body position, piloerection.
● Hissing, spitting.
● Spraying.
● Scratching, biting.

MECHANISM?
● Aggression is a threat, challenge or attack that is directed towards one or more individuals.
● It can be intra- (members of the same species) or interspecific (members of other species).
● Aggression may be normal or abnormal depending on the context.
● Aggression can be overt (active, e.g. obvious distance increasing signals) or covert (passive,
e.g. blocking access).
● Several types of aggression may occur concurrently (see list below).

WHERE?
● The hypothalamus and amygdala are involved in defense and aggression.
● Monoamines and androgenic steroids act as modulators of established offensive and defen-
sive aggressive behaviors.

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