Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Psychogenic Diseases

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Feline Dermatology

Abstract

Grooming behavior is essential to keep the skin and coat of cats in good health, and cats spend a significant portion of their day grooming. Normal grooming behavior is a sign of good physical and mental health in cats. Changes in grooming behavior may be caused by medical problems, either dermatological or systemic. “Sickness behavior” that includes decreased grooming may be an early sign of underlying medical problems, but increased grooming can also be related to medical causes (Fatjo and Bowen, Medical and metabolic influences on behavioural disorders. In: Horwitz DF, Mills DS, editors. BSAVA manual of canine and feline behavioural medicine. 2nd ed. Gloucester: BSAVA; p. 1–9, 2009; Rochlitz, Basic requirements for good behavioural health and welfare in cats. In: Horwitz DF, Mills DS, editors. BSAVA manual of canine and feline behavioural medicine. 2nd ed. Gloucester: BSAVA; p. 35–48, 2009). Grooming behavior can also be significantly altered in times of stress or conflict. In response to stress, some cats overgroom, lick, bite, chew, suckle, or barber their coats leading to alopecia (psychogenic alopecia), while others stop taking adequate care of their coat. In particular, overgrooming may be a displacement behavior arising from conflict or stress or a compulsive disorder (much like compulsive washing or trichotillomania in humans) (Landsberg et al., Behavior problems of the dog and cat. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders, 2013).

Many behavior changes are due to a combined effect of stress and health problems. For example, pain may be the initial trigger of overgrooming a particular joint. Once the behavior arises, it might worsen due to medical consequences of excoriation, infection, or pruritus, as well as the increased anxiety and stress arising from both internal factors and the owner’s response. Therefore, an effective treatment of psychogenic dermatologic disease has to address both the underlying psychological disturbance and the possible medical component (Fatjo and Bowen, Medical and metabolic influences on behavioural disorders. In: Horwitz DF, Mills DS, editors. BSAVA manual of canine and feline behavioural medicine. 2nd ed. Gloucester: BSAVA; p. 1–9, 2009; Rochlitz, Basic requirements for good behavioural health and welfare in cats. In: Horwitz DF, Mills DS, editors. BSAVA manual of canine and feline behavioural medicine. 2nd ed. Gloucester: BSAVA; p. 35–48, 2009; Landsberg et al., Behavior problems of the dog and cat. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders, 2013).

The psychogenic dermatological diseases discussed in this chapter include psychogenic alopecia, overgrooming and biting of the tail, hyperesthesia, and excessive scratching.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Fatjo J, Bowen J. Medical and metabolic influences on behavioural disorders. In: Horwitz DF, Mills DS, editors. BSAVA manual of canine and feline behavioural medicine. 2nd ed. Gloucester: BSAVA; 2009. p. 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Rochlitz I. Basic requirements for good behavioural health and welfare in cats. In: Horwitz DF, Mills DS, editors. BSAVA manual of canine and feline behavioural medicine. 2nd ed. Gloucester: BSAVA; 2009. p. 35–48.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  3. Landsberg G, Hunthausen W, Ackeman L. Behavior problems of the dog and cat. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Houpt KA. Domestic animal behavior for veterinarians and animal scientists. 6th ed. Wiley-Blackwell: Ames; 2018.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Crowell-Davis SL, Curtis TM, Knowles RJ. Social organization in the cat: a modern understanding. J Feline Med Surg. 2004;6:19–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Carlson NR. Physiology of behavior. 12th ed. Pearson: Upper Saddle River; 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Overall K. Manual of clinical behavior medicine for dogs and cats. Elsevier Mosby: St, Louis; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Fornal CA, Metzler CW, Marrosu F, Ribiero-do-Valle LE, Jacobs BL. A subgroup of dorsal raphe serotonergic neurons in the cat is strongly activated during oral-buccal movements. Brain Res. 1996;716:123–33.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Bain M. Compulsive and repetitive behavior disorders: canine and feline overview. In: Horwitz D, editor. Blackwell’s five-minute veterinary consult clinical companion: canine and feline behavior. 2nd ed. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons; 2018. p. 391–403.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Overall KL, Dunham AE. Clinical features and outcome in dogs and cats with obsessive-compulsive disorder: 126 cases (1989–2000). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002;221:1445–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Waisglass SE, Landsberg GM, Yager JA, Hall JA. Underlying medical conditions in cats with presumptive psychogenic alopecia. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006;228:1705–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Willemse T, Mudde M, Josephy M, Spruijt BM. The effect of haloperidol and naloxone on excessive grooming behavior in cats. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 1994;4:39–45.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Bain M. Psychogenic alopecia/overgrooming: feline. In: Horwitz D, editor. Blackwell’s five-minute veterinary consult clinical companion: canine and feline behavior. 2nd ed. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons; 2018. p. 447–55.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Sawyer LS, Moon-Fanelli AA, Dodman NH. Psychogenic alopecia in cats: 11 cases (1993–1996). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1999;214:71–4.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Titeux E, Gilbert C, Briand A, Cochet-Faivre N. From feline idiopathic ulcerative dermatitis to feline behavioral ulcerative dermatitis: grooming repetitive behaviors indicators of poor welfare in cats. Front Vet Sci. 2018; https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00081.

  16. Dantzer D, O’Connor JC, Freund GC, Johnson RW, Kelley KW. From inflammation to sickness and depression: when the immune system subjugates the brain. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2008;9:46–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Foster JA, McVey NK. Gut–brain axis: how the microbiome influences anxiety and depression. Trends Neurosci. 2013;36:305–12.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Siracusa C. Treatments affecting dog behavior: something to be aware of. Vet Rec. 2016;179:460–1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Iwase T, Uehara Y, Shinji H, Tajima A, Seo H, Takada K, et al. Staphylococcus epidermidis Esp inhibits Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation and nasal colonization. Nature. 2010;465:346–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Siegel R, Ma J, Zou Z, Jemal A. Cancer statistics. CA Cancer J Clin. 2014;64:9–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Tlaskalová-Hogenová H, Štepánková R, Hudcovic T, Tucková L, Cukrowska B, Lodinová-Zádníková R, et al. Commensal bacteria (normal microflora), mucosal immunity and chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Immunol Lett. 2004;93:97–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Buske-Kirschbaum A, Gieben A, Hollig H, Hellhammer DH. Stress-induced immunomodulation in patients with atopic dermatitis. J Neuroimmunol. 2002;129:161–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Mitschenko AV, An L, Kupfer J, Niemeier V, Gieler U. Atopic dermatitis and stress? How do emotions come into skin? Hautarzt. 2008;59:314–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Pasaoglu G, Bavbek S, Tugcu H, Abadoglu O, Misirligil Z. Psychological status of patients with chronic urticaria. J Dermatol. 2006;22:765–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Panconesi E, Hautman G. Psychophysiology of stress in dermatology. Dermatol Clinic. 1996;14:399–422.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Garg A, Chren MM, Sands LP, Matsui MS, Marenus KD, Feingold KR, et al. Psychological stress perturbs epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis: implications for the pathogenesis of stress associated skin disorders. Arch Dermatol. 2001;137:78–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Scarampella F, Zanna G, Peano A, Fabbri E, Tosti A. Dermoscopic features in 12 cats with dermatophytosis and in 12 cats with self-induced alopecia due to other causes: an observational descriptive study. Vet Dermatol. 2015;26:282–e63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Carmichael KP, Bienzle D, McDonnell JJ. Feline leukemia virus-associated myelopathy in cats. Vet Pathol. 2002;39:536–45.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Ciribassi J. Understanding behavior: feline hyperesthesia syndrome. Compend Contin Educ Vet. 2009;31:E10.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Coates JR, Dewey CW. Cervical spinal hyperesthesia as a clinical sign of intracranial disease. Compend Contin Educ Vet. 1998;20:1025–37.

    Google Scholar 

  31. March P, Fischer JR, Potthoff A. Electromyographic and histological abnormalities in epaxial muscles of cats with feline hyperesthesia syndrome. J Vet Int Med. 1999;13:238.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Drew LJ, MacDermott AB. Neuroscience: unbearable lightness of touch. Nature. 2009;462:580–1.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Batle PA, Rusbridge C, Nuttall T, Heath S, Marioni-Henry K. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome with self-trauma to the tail; retrospective study of seven cases and proposal for integrated multidisciplinary approach. J Fel Med Surg. 2018;. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X18764246

  34. Rusbridge C, Heath S, Gunn-Moore KSP, Johnston N, AK MF. Feline orofacial pain syndrome (FOPS); a retrospective study of 113 cases. J Fel Med Surg. 2010;12:498–508.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Ellis JJ, Stryhn H, Spears J, Cockram MS. Environmental enrichment choices of shelter cats. Behav Process. 2017;141:291–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Herron MH, Buffington CAT. Environmental enrichment for indoor cats: implementing enrichment. Compend Contin Educ Vet. 2012;34:E3.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Siracusa C. Creating harmony in multiple cat households. In: Little, editor. August’s consultations in feline internal medicine, vol. 7. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2016. p. 931–40.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  38. Strickler BL, Shull EA. An owner survey of toys, activities, and behavior problems in indoor cats. J Vet Behav. 2014;9:207–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Seksel K, Lindeman MJ. Use of clomipramine in the treatment of anxiety-related and obsessive-compulsive disorders in cats. Aust Vet J. 1998;76:317–21.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Siracusa C, Horwitz D. Psychopharmacology. In: Horwitz D, editor. Blackwell’s five-minute veterinary consult clinical companion: canine and feline behavior. 2nd ed. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons; 2018. p. 961–74.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    C. Siracusa

  2. CanCog Technologies, Fergus, ON, Canada

    Gary Landsberg

Authors
  1. C. Siracusa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gary Landsberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Siracusa .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Servizi Dermatologici Veterinari, Peveragno, Italy

    Chiara Noli

  2. Servizi Dermatologici Veterinari, Legnano, Italy

    Silvia Colombo

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Siracusa, C., Landsberg, G. (2020). Psychogenic Diseases. In: Noli, C., Colombo, S. (eds) Feline Dermatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29836-4_29

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation