DOI
https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v7i2.573Abstract
PICO question
In cats with psychogenic alopecia, is overgrooming reduced by the use of clomipramine compared to untreated cats?
Clinical bottom line
Category of research question
Treatment
The number and type of study designs reviewed
One pseudo-randomised controlled study
Strength of evidence
Weak
Outcomes reported
Effect of clomipramine using owner report of number, intensity, and / or duration of grooming episodes, owner reported clinical improvement, and veterinary measured alopecia, extent of tissue damage, and hair regrowth
Conclusion
The only controlled study found no evidence that clomipramine alone is effective in reducing grooming episodes, alopecia, or improved hair regrowth. Further research with randomised, double blind controlled trials and limitation of confounding factors is required to determine the efficacy of clomipramine alone or in addition to behavioural / environmental therapies
How to apply this evidence in practice
The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources.
Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.
References
Affolter, V.K. & Moore, P.F. (1994). Histologie features of normal canine and feline skin. Clinics in Dermatology. 12(4), 491–497. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0738-081X(94)90215-1
Hendriks, W.H., Tarttelin, M.F. & Moughan, P.J. (1997). Seasonal Hair Growth in the Adult Domestic Cat (Felis catus). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology. 116(1), 29–35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0300-9629(96)00113-2
Henssler, J., Heinz, A., Brandt, L. & Bschor, T. (2019). Antidepressant Withdrawal and Rebound Phenomena. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 116(20), 355–361. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2019.0355
Lainesse, C., Frank, D., Beaudry, F. & Doucet, M. (2007). Effects of physiological covariables on pharmacokinetic parameters of clomipramine in a large population of cats after a single oral administration. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 30(2), 116–126. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2885.2007.00826.x
Luescher, A.U. (2003). Diagnosis and management of compulsive disorders in dogs and cats. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 33(2), 253–267. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0195-5616(02)00100-6
Mertens, P.A., Torres, S. & Jessen, C. (2006). The Effects of Clomipramine Hydrochloride in Cats With Psychogenic Alopecia: A Prospective Study. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. 42(5), 336–343. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5326/0420336
Overall, K.L. & Dunham, A.E. (2002). Clinical features and outcome in dogs and cats with obsessive-compulsive disorder: 126 cases (1989–2000). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 221(10), 1445–1452. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2002.221.1445
Sawyer, L.S., Moon-Fanelli, A.A. & Dodman, N.H. (1999). Psychogenic alopecia in cats: 11 cases (1993–1996). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 214(1), 71–74.
Seksel, K. & Lindeman, M.J. (1998). Use of clomipramine in the treatment of anxiety-related and obsessive-compulsive disorders in cats. Australian Veterinary Journal. 76(5), 317–321. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1998.tb12353.x
Talamonti, Z., Cannas, S. & Palestrini, C. (2017). A Case of Tail Self-Mutilation in a Cat. Macedonian Veterinary Review. 40(1), 103–107. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/macvetrev-2016-0098
Virga, V. (2003). Behavioral dermatology. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 33(2), 231–251. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0195-5616(02)00102-X
License
Veterinary Evidence uses the Creative Commons copyright Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. That means users are free to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format. Remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially - with the appropriate citation.
