Introduction
- Depraved appetite leading to the ingestion of non-nutritional substances.
- Cause : unknown.
- The most common age at onset is 2-4 months.
- Signs : chewing or ingestion of wool, fabrics, rubber, electric cables, houseplants and paper to name a few.
- Wool is often the preferred target substance - hence the name wool eating.
- There is a reported increased incidence in Siamese and Burmese but the behavior also occurs in other breeds.
Diagnosis
Clinical signs
- GI tract obstruction may occur leading to total or partial blockage with associated clinical signs.
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
- Abnormal appetite resulting from neurological damage to the appetite center.
- Abnormal appetite resulting from nutritional deficits or clinical disease.
Sequelae
Prognosis
- Prognosis depends on the duration of the behavior prior to treatment, early intervention improves the prognosis.
Expected response to treatment
- Improvement in behavioral signs.
Reasons for treatment failure
- Misdiagnosis.
- Lack of compliance from owner.
- Long-standing pica with strong learned component.
Sources
Publications
Refereed papers
- Neville P F and Bradshaw J WS (1991)Unusual appetitesBulletin of the Feline Advisory Bureau28(1) pp5-6 and 32.
- Neville P F and Bradshaw J WS (1994)Fabric Eating in catsVet Pract STAFF6(5) pp26-29.
- Neville P F, Bradshaw J WS and Sawyer D (1997)Factors affecting pica in the domestic catApplied Animal Behaviour Science52pp373-379.
Organization(s)
For veterinarians wishing to refer cases on to a behavioral counsellor:- Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) , PO Box 46, Worcester WR8 9YS. Tel/Fax: 01386 751151 Email: apbc@petbcent.demon.co.uk
- Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Study Group (CABTSG) , C/O Mr Daniel Mills BVSc MRCVS, De Montfort University, Lincoln, Caythorpe Court, Caythorpe, LINCS NG32 3EP.
