elimination behavior problems in cats

Question 1

what is associated with the highest risk of relinquishment of pet cats to an animal shelter

Answer 1

inappropriate elimination

Question 2

elimination

Answer 2

• stops using box
• target areas of suitable texture
• +/- defecation
• signs of aversion to box/or litter
• usually squatting
• large amounts of urine

Question 3

marking

Answer 3

• continues to eliminate in box
• target areas of “behavioral significance”
• provoking stimuli
• usually standing
• typically small amount of urine

Question 4

symptom of separation anxiety in cats

Answer 4

inappropriate urination

Question 5

substrate/box aversion

Answer 5

perching on edge
minimal or no digging or covering
shaking paws
hurried exit

Question 6

substrate/box aversion causes

Answer 6

substrate change
boxy type/hygiene
possible history of painful event associated with current litter/box

Question 7

litter cats prefer

Answer 7

finely textured clay litter

Question 8

most box aversion cases are treated with:

Answer 8

environmental modification

Question 9

statistics of elimination behavior problems in cats

Answer 9

at least 10% of pet cats at some time

Question 10

percent decrease in marking behavior due to spay and neuter

Answer 10

89%

Question 11

serotonin partial agonisht

Answer 11

buspirone

Question 12

what to use for cat elimination issues- victims,

Answer 12

buspirone, avoid use with aggressive cat

Question 13

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Answer 13

fluoxetine
paroxetine
sertraline

inappetance, sedation, constipation

Question 14

tricyclic antidepressants

Answer 14

amitriptyline
comipraline

sedation, anticholinergic effects
(reserve use if SSRIs do not work)

Question 15

anxiolytics

Answer 15

benzodiazepines

• alpraolam
• diazepam (hepatotoxicity)

Question 16

hormones

Answer 16

synthetic pregestins

• medroxyprogesterone acetate
• megestrol acetate (mammary neoplasia, bone marrow suppression)