P‐41 Psychogenic alopecia by fur‐plucking in a family of seal‐point Siamese cats: three cases

Abstract

Three seal‐point Siamese cats (phenotype = SIA n), from the same line of breeding, displayed fur‐plucking of the dorsum. Feline psychogenic alopecia is an anxiety neurosis. In these cats, fur‐plucking is an excessive grooming behaviour leading to fur hyperpigmentation. The first case was a 3‐year‐old intact female that had been fur‐plucking from 6 months of age. She was the offspring of the mating of a lilac‐point male (SIA a) and a SIA n female. The cat was treated with depomedrol and Viacutan® without effect. The second case was a 3‐year‐old castrated male that had been fur‐plucking from 9 months of age. He was treated with megestrol acetate with moderate effect. The third case was a 1‐year‐old intact female that had been fur‐plucking from 6 months of age and was the offspring of the first case and a male chocolate point (SIA b). She was treated with depomedrol and Viacutan® without effect. None of the littermates with other phenotypes (4 SIA a) had dermatological complaints. All affected cats underwent a full evaluation including dermatophyte testing (negative), ectoparasite tests (negative) and intradermal tests (negative). An 8‐week food elimination trial followed by a 3‐week challenge had no effect. Histopathology revealed a mild mononuclear superficial perivascular dermatitis and perifolliculitis. There were no morphological hair or hair follicle abnormalities. A diagnosis of feline psychogenic alopecia was made on the basis of exclusion. The finding of feline psychogenic alopecia in three closely related cats suggests that the disorder may be hereditary or have an inherited component. Funding: Kruuse A/S Denmark.