The use of the fraction F3 of the feline facial pheromone as a treatment for psychogenic dermatitis on captive margay cats (Leopardus wiedii) – cases report

Abstract

Psychogenic dermatitis is a chronic skin disease characterized by self-mutilation behavior that results in partial or complete hair loss (alopecia) and ulcers or injuries on the skin. In domestic cats, anxiety or stress can also generate excessive licking of the coat and, in this species, pheromones have been used to reduce stress and treat compulsive behavior. The aim of this study is to report the use of pheromone therapy (fraction F3 of the feline facial pheromone) in a group of five margay cats (Leopardus wiedii) kept at Sorocaba Zoo that were diagnosed with psychogenic dermatitis. The pheromone was sprayed at the rooms that held the five individuals for 60 days. After treatment, four of the five animals showed full recovery, which suggests that pheromone therapy is a useful fool to treat psychogenic dermatitis in margay cats.