Page 1015 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

46 – THE CAT WITH AGGRESSION 1007

Attack tends to be a last resort and occurs if she is Pathogenesis
cornered.
This is a diagnosis of exclusion and very rare.
Some queens may cannibalize their own kittens and
It is not well understood and reflects truly abnormal
this is considered to be abnormal. It may happen if the
behavior.
queen is stressed or malnourished and the incidence has
been reported to increase if the litter is very large, it is As with most behavioral conditions the underlying
a second pregnancy, or the kittens are ill. However, it pathogenesis is unknown, but is likely to be neuro-
can be normal if the queen eats stillborn or aborted chemically complex. It is a very rare condition and may
fetuses. It may also occur during overzealous eating of reflect seizure activity.
the placenta after birth.

Clinical signs
Diagnosis
Sudden mood changes and aggressive episodes with
Diagnosis is based on the behavioral history of aggres- neither obvious provocation nor predicability.
sion in the presence of kittens and thorough phys-
It has been described as “toggle-switch” aggression as
ical examination to exclude pain or other causes of
it may start suddenly as if a switch has been turned on.
aggression.
It can stop just as suddenly and the cat may appear to
be unaware of any change in its behavior.
Differential diagnosis
Other types of aggression should be considered such as
Diagnosis
territorial, pain and status-related aggression, however
this type of aggression should be easily differentiated Diagnosis is based on a behavioral history of sudden
as it occurs only in queens with kittens in the peri- episodes of unpredictable aggression and thorough
parturient period. physical examination and rule out of all other causes,
both medical and behavioral.
Cats may exhibit several types of aggression concurrently.

Differential diagnosis
Treatment
All other types of aggression as well as medical
Avoid approaching the queen during this period.
causes, such as seizures, should be considered.
Separate the queen from other cats, especially males.

Spey the queen that exhibits infanticide. Treatment
It is difficult to treat using standard behavior-modi-
Prognosis fication techniques because it is truly unpredictable.
● Additionally, avoiding situations that may be
The aggression should resolve when the kittens are
provocative is not possible as there is no true provo-
removed from the queen but may recur with the next lit-
cation or obvious context.
ter.
Treatment with anticonvulsants such as diazepam or
IDIOPATHIC AGGRESSION phenobarbitone should be considered.
No physical punishment should be used.
Classical signs
● The aggression is unprovoked and Prognosis
unpredictable.
Poor as the underlying cause is not known.