2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Thirteen cats were included in the study. The median age of presentation was 1 year (1-7 years). Eleven cats were attacking or over-grooming their tails and two cats their flank or perineal area. Tail mutilation was reported in 9/13 cats, rippling of the thoracolumbar skin in 10/13 cats and 6 cats presented with unusual vocalization during the episodes. The episodes occurred multiple times per day in 12/13 of the cases, and multiple times per week in 1/13. No consistent triggers were reported. Results of CBC and biochemistry were available for 12/13 cats, spinal radiographs for 7/13, magnetic resonance imaging for 6/13, cerebrospinal fluid analysis for 3/13, electromyography for 3/13, dermatological assessment for 7/13, and joint fluid analysis for one cat. The diagnostic work up led to the diagnosis of allergic dermatitis in 2 cases and immune-mediated polyarthritis in one case, but a definitive diagnosis was not reached in the remaining 10 cases. Treatment included corticosteroids in 7/13 of the cats, gabapentin in 8/13, clomipramine in 4/13, topiramate in 2/13, phenobarbital in 2/13 and cyclosporine in 6/13. The majority of the cases (10/13) received a combination of 2 or more drugs.