Symptoms of pica in cats8/25/2023 Borns-Weil, “my treatment plan generally consists of increasing environmental enrichment and mental stimulation. If the pica has resulted from an underlying medical condition, your veterinarian will first explore the possibility of gastrointestinal disease or infection. Borns-Weil says, “insufficient intellectual and physical stimulation may be instrumental in causing this behavior.” Treatment Plan “Since cats are curious and highly intelligent,” Dr. Some of the preferred materials include wood, cloth, paper products, cellophane, plastic, and cardboard.īoredom, stress, anxiety, lack of adequate attention. Borns-Weil says.Īvailability of the preferred substrate (material). “Once the behavior starts, it becomes self-rewarding,” Dr. Cats weaned too early may be prone to suckling-like behavior when they are older. Just as any number of medical problems can cause pica, a number of environmental reasons can cause the Feline Compulsive Disorder that manifests as pica: And she would diagnose that behavioral problem as Feline Compulsive Disorder, since pica in cats is an overwhelming and repetitive impulse. The Head of the Tufts Animal Behavior Clinic, Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM, agrees, saying that “only when medical problems have been thoroughly ruled out” would she label a case of pica a behavioral problem. “Behavioral disorders are accurately diagnosed by the absence of any underlying medical disorder,” the doctor explains. If a medical cause is found and treated, the pica should cease.Īnd if an underlying medical disorder cannot be found? It is at that point that a behavioral rather than a medical cause should be considered. If a cat displays pica behavior, “it is imperative that he be thoroughly evaluated by a veterinarian,” Dr. In addition to observing the pica itself, “owners should look for subtle signs of gastrointestinal upset such as flatulence, stomach gurgling, lip licking, and repetitive swallowing or drooling,” says Dr. Some medical causes of pica include inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pancreatitis, and giardia. That’s not just because pica can lead to obstructions in the gastrointestinal tract but also because it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. “Pica symptoms should be taken seriously,” says Tufts veterinary internist Michael Stone, DVM. If indigestible items are swallowed, they can become lodged in a cat’s intestine, creating a potentially life-threatening blockage requiring a surgical fix. The word comes from the Latin picave, which means magpie - a bird that has notorious, indiscriminate dietary customs.Įating non-food materials is not just weird it’s dangerous. The medical term for this bizarre behavior is pica. Neil Pederson released a summary of the full FIP treatment protocol in January of 2021.Does your cat lick or devour non-food items while displaying passionate interest in those objects? Is he eating nylon stockings or chomping down on paper towels? Niel Pederson of UC Davis, there is finally a cure - GS441524 also referred to as GS. The Cure For FIP: GS441 ("GS") Thanks to the extensive research of Dr. Typical course of treatment is 84 days followed by 84 days of observation. There is no time to waste and medication must be started right away. If you suspect your cat has FIP, please go to a Vet right away. Neuro/ocular symptoms are also often seen in cats – changes in eye color, loss of balance, or weakening or total loss of control of their legs. Sometimes cats are also seen eating litter, referred to as pica. Cats with dry FIP often present with lethargy, fever, anemia, changes in overall behavior, diarrhea, not using the litterbox, or lack of appetite. Wet FIP is characterized by a build up of fluid in the cat’s abdomen, lungs, or heart.ĭry FIP may present with a variety of symptoms, many of which are consistent with other conditions as well, which makes for a more challenging diagnosis. There are 2 types of FIP – Effusive “Wet” FIP and Non-Effusive “Dry” FIP.
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