Page 1025 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

47 – THE CAT WITH ANXIETY-RELATED BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS 1017

deteriorates with increased length of time the problem Hyperthyroidism is excluded based on a normal thy-
is left untreated. roxine (T4) concentration.

INAPPROPRIATE VOCALIZATION**
Differential diagnosis
Classical signs Estrus is a normal behavior and may be differentiated
on the basis of the presence of classical behavioral
● Vocalization of increased duration,
signs of restlessness, frequent urination, spraying,
frequency or intensity.
rolling, lordosis, etc., during the breeding season. As
the cat is seasonally polyestrus these will recur on
average every 3 weeks for several months if the cat is
Pathogenesis
not mated.
Excessive vocalization may be a normal innate behav-
Oriental breeds tend to vocalize more than other
ior in some breeds such as the Siamese.
breeds and this is a normal behavior that is differenti-
Vocalization may indicate a need for social contact, ated on the basis of breed.
attention or food. This has been reported in cats that
Vocalizations that are a normal behavioral response
are on restricted-calorie diets.
to physical stressors such as cold and hunger are dif-
Septal, ventral hypothalamic lesions as well as hip- ferentiated on the basis of a thorough history and
pocampal abnormalities have been associated with response to removal of these stressors.
excessive vocalization.
Cognitive dysfunction (aging, senility) is differenti-
Anxiety resulting from social stressors such as the ated on the basis of age (cats are usually more than
presence of other cats, a change in routine, or after a 12 years of age) as well as the presence of other signs
move has been implicated as a trigger. which may include changes in sleep–wake cycles,
decreased social interaction with owners, disorienta-
Excessive vocalization may be a function of aging,
tion, and loss of previously learnt behaviors such as toi-
cerebral degeneration and alteration of neurotransmit-
let training. Cognitive decline is of gradual onset.
ter activity. It may be seen in aged cats exhibiting other
signs of senile behavior. Hyperthyroidism is differentiated on the basis of clas-
sical signs (weight loss, increased appetite, restlessness,
increased vocalization) and elevated T4 concentration.
Clinical signs
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome is a poorly understood
Vocalization is a non-specific sign.
condition which may be differentiated on the basis
With excessive vocalization associated with anxiety, of signs of extreme sensitivity to touch on the dorsal
the vocalization is of changed duration, frequency or region, which stimulates skin rippling, biting or licking
intensity. of the area and often frantic running. Diagnosis is based
on signs and lack of other dermatological or neurolog-
It may be nocturnal, or just more noticeable at night.
ical disease.
It is relatively common in older cats with decreased
Pain associated with any condition including trauma or
perceptual and locomotor abilities. It may also be due
urinary tract infection is differentiated by response to
to reduced cognitive function (senility).
analgesia or alleviation of pain.
● Vocalization may decrease with pain, so it is impor-
Diagnosis tant to know what is normal for the cat.
Diagnosis is based on a complete behavioral history Attention-seeking behavior is differentiated on the
documenting inappropriate vocalization. A thorough basis of a history that is suggestive that vocalization
physical examination, and hematological and biochem- only occurs in the presence of the owner when the
ical analysis must exclude medical causes. owner is not paying attention to the cat.