Successful management of psychogenic alopecia with buspirone in a crossbreed cat

Abstract

A 1-year-old male crossbreed cat was presented for evaluation of alopecia in dorsal lumbar and sacral regions. The owner had moved to his current residence 2 months prior to the admission date. It seemed that the cat was uncomfortable in this new place. The client noticed excessive vocalisation, restlessness, unusual over-licking and self-grooming. One month after moving to the current residence, the owner brought an African grey parrot to the house. These events seem to have increased the cat’s anxiety, and the owner noticed excessive grooming and other signs of anxiety, such as vocalisation and restlessness. The behaviour of abnormal licking resulted in alopecia in the dorsal trunk. Dermatophyte culture, skin scrapes and acetate strip examinations were negative for dermatophytes, parasites and yeasts. A tentative diagnosis of feline psychogenic alopecia was made based on history and clinical findings. Treatment with clomipramine resulted in urinary retention. Due to history of drug therapy, urinary retention was expected as an anticholinergic effect of using clomipramine. The clomipramine therapy was stopped, and the cat was then treated with oral buspirone. The selected drug was significantly effective in controlling the animal’s anxiety and overgrooming behaviour.