Veterinary models of compulsive self-grooming: parallels with trichotillomania (1999)

Moon-Fanelli, A. A., Dodman, N. H., O'Sullivan, R. L.

Abstract

The terms compulsive self-grooming and psychogenic feather picking disorder are used. Psychogenic feather picking disorder in birds in the wild has not been reported. .. It has been reported to occur with approximately a 10% incidence in captive birds and has been observed in a number of species, including parrots, cockatoos, macaws, and cockatiels (Grindlinger and Ramsay 1991; Rosskopf et al 1986). .. An association with anxious temperaments and feather picking has been noted. .. The observation that birds in captivity engage in feather picking suggests that environmental pressures may underlie the excessive performance of this .. behavior. Environmental enrichment programs may lead to a temporary improvement but recurrence of the behavior is typical. .. Pharmacological treatment may stop the behavior but relapse after discontinuation is typical (Iglauer and Rasim 1993). .. Psychogenic alopecia is a self-grooming anomaly .. in cats. .. Preliminary data suggest that psychogenic alopecia may occur with a higher frequency in female cats. .. Many cats that suffer from psychogenic alopecia seem to have anxious temperaments or have been exposed to situations that induced conflict or frustration. .. Environmental pressures, including .. husbandry issues, may cause anxiety and trigger hair pulling. Feline psychogenic alopecia responds positively to treatment with the serotonin reuptake inhibitor chlomipramine (Dodman 1994) but relapse is common after discontinuation if the source of the conflict, frustration, or anxiety has not been removed. .. Canine acral lick dermatitis is a psychogenic disorder of dogs characterized by repetitive licking and chewing at the distal extremities of their fore or hind limbs. .. As with avian and feline abnormal grooming behaviors, true psychogenic acral lick dermatitis is not reported to occur in free-ranging wild canid populations and appears to be a condition that is associated with the various stressors encountered in captivity [separation anxiety, lack of stimulation, confinement. The behavior is refractory to traditional therapy. Usually the animals relapse when medication is withdrawn (White 1990). Some dogs relapse while still on medication if exposed to anxiety-provoking situations.