(07) - Feline self-inflicted symmetric alopecia

Question 1

1. As the name indicates, self-inflicted non-inflammatory alopecia (SA) is an alopecia induced by the cat as a result of various factors.
2. In contrast to dogs with non-inflammatory alopecia where the alopecia is developed spontaneously as a result of a hormonal disorder (e.g. Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, Alopecia X) or follicular dysplasias, most cases in cats will be self-induced as a result of pruritus associated with allergy, parasitic disorder or psychogenic causes.

Answer 1

d

Question 2

1. SNIA should be considered a multi-factorial disease and a thorough history is very important in trying to determine the cause.
2. Potential causes associated with this disorder are what three?
3. The excessive grooming, hair pulling and/or chewing can be a response to itching or a psychogenic cause. However, if the history does not strongly suggest a psychogenic cause for the self-inflicted alopecia do not blame the cat’s mind before ruling out any other possible cause.
4. A thorough history is very important to identify the factor(s) inducing the self-inflicted alopecia

Answer 2

2. parasitic, allergic, or psychogenic

Question 3

1. SNIA can be expressed in many ways such as: self-licking or gentle chewing, hair-pulling, and incessant over grooming.
2. What pattern of alopecia is common?
3. What are the most commonly affected sites.?
4. The course is long and progresses slowly, sometimes remaining static for months or years.

Answer 3

2. A symmetric bilateral pattern

3. Areas that the cat can lick easily

Question 4

1. Identifying the cause of SNIA may be difficult.
2. To identify the specific cause a complete work-up is necessary. Skin scrapings, fecal flotations and/or parasiticidal trials should be performed to help rule in surface demodicosis and cheyletiellosis; food elimination trials to rule out food allergy; intradermal and/or serum allergy testing to support a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis after other pruritic disorders have been ruled out; a CBC, chemistry profile, and urinalysis if the cat’s history and clinical signs suggest the presence of a systemic disorder.
3. The diagnosis of psychogenic causes for the SINA can only be considered after ruling out other possible causes as discussed above. However, if the patient’s history highly indicates that the SINA has a psychogenic origin, a possible psychogenic cause should be addressed first.

Answer 4

d

Question 5

1. Treatment has to be specific for the cause identified.
2. If the cause of SINA is psychogenic in origin, the goal of the treatment is to remove the cat’s desire to obsessively lick, chew and/or pull its hair, thus reducing self-trauma. The two approaches to achieve this are: identify and modify or remove the initiating stress factors; and use medical therapy to reduce the cat’s response to the stress (medications have potential side effects, have to be given frequently and are expensive).

Answer 5

d