“booby traps” in soiled areas will only encourage the cat to seek out other areas of the home for marking. Additionally, the increased stress and anxiety triggered by aversive methods can sometimes lead to worsening of the urine marking, or to new behavioral problems in the cat (such as over grooming, FLUTD, intercat aggression, etc.) 10 . For these reasons, aversive methods of managing urine marking should be avoided. Consider drug therapy Drugs are rarely used in the management of inappropriate toileting, because they do not typically provide significant benefi t 14 . In especially timid or anxious patients, however, there may be some benefit to considering the use of Feliway™ or psychotropic medications. Studies have not been performed to determine efficacy in these cases, however, so clients should be warned that this is off-label use and benefits may or may not be noted.
Environmental enrichment can provide significant benefits in the management of feline anxiety, and thus, help mitigate problems with inappropriate toileting. Veterinary professionals should encourage owners to play with their cats regularly, using fishing-rod style toys and other play options as preferred by their cat 10 . Owners may also be able to provide a window perch or play cat-friendly DVDs on the television 17 , and use three- dimensional surfaces, such as climbing toys and ladders. One easy and effective method of providing environmental enrichment for cats is changing the way that these cats are fed. Owners can use puzzle feeders to deliver small amounts of food or hide small amounts of food around the home (ideally on elevated surfaces, such as a bookcase) in order to promote normal foraging behavior and provide an outlet for play and activity. 17 As with cases of urine marking, owners should refrain from using any sort of punishment 7 . The use of cat repellants or Conclusion Although inappropriate elimination is a common and frustrating problem among many cat owners, it can be successfully addressed if the owners are committed to appropriate diagnostics and management. Medical conditions must be ruled out before considering behavioral therapy, and behavioral therapy must then be geared towards the specific type of inappropriate elimination that is noted (marking vs. inappropriate toileting). While medication can play a role in the management of some cases, the mainstay of treatment is environmental modification to decrease stress levels; successful treatment requires the owner to understand this concept and be willing to invest the necessary time and resources to promote success.
WORKS CITED https://qr2.mobi/Feline-Elim
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF FELINE INAPPROPRIATE ELIMINATION Final Examination Questions
Select the best answer for each question and mark your answers on page 84. For faster service, complete your test online at EliteLearning.com/Book
66. As many as 60 percent of cats presenting for inappropriate elimination have a history of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). a. True. b. False. 67. Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) significantly correlates with stress. 68. The majority of inappropriate elimination cases presented to veterinarians are due to urine marking, with only a small number of cases due to inappropriate toileting. a. True. b. False. 69. Marking is a term used to refer to the deposition of small amounts of urine on vertical surfaces. a. True. b. False. 70. Inappropriate toileting is used for social signaling. a. True. b. False.
61. Inappropriate elimination cases constitute only 10 percent of feline behavior problems. a. True. b. False. 62. Fluorescein dye strips can be used in multi-cat homes to identify which cat is urinating outside of the
litterbox. a. True. b. False.
63. Shaved crayons can be used in multi-cat homes to identify which cat is defecating outside of the litterbox. a. True. b. False. 64. Hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, intestinal parasites, or inflammatory bowel disease are all potential causes of inappropriate defecation. a. True. b. False. 65. Pain due to spinal disease or osteoarthritis will not cause inappropriate urination.
a. True. b. False.
a. True. b. False.
Course Code: VFL03FE
Page 59
Book Code: VFL1526
EliteLearning.com/Veterinarian
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