The effects of stress on animals

Re: The effects of stress on animals

Kay Eminson — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:03:20 GMT

I do think about this regularly, especially when presented with cystitis cats, a good example was a couple who brought their cat in, which had FLUTD, after the husband left the room she asked myself if it could be down to the atmosphere in the house, as her and her partner were arguing a lot. She did not go into details obviously but said the cat was more important to her than he was

Re: The effects of stress on animals

Sal the 1st — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 23:47:28 GMT

Jasper my moggie had a few problems post burglary - he became very withdrawn and clingy when normally he was a very out going , confident little beast. Had two symmetrical bald patches over each of his flanks from overgrooming (did allergy testing, skin scrapes , tape strips , bloods etc to rule out systemic problems) , went off his food and used to hide under the bed and just howl some nights (he was a lot better during the day) - I should point out that I was pretty shaken up and jumpy about the experience as well for ages afterwards an I am sure it rubbed off on Jas. We tried a behaviourist and did get some improvement , but the amitryp was making him so dopey and he was still pretty miserable. When we moved out of the flat - ok he was unsettled for a little while but within a month he had hair back and his appetite improved. It is well documented how stress in a human can affect the other humans around them and I have no reason to believe it cant affect animals the same way - after all animals are a lot better at picking up our non verbals than we are!

Re: The effects of stress on animals

Kerry Spain — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:24:47 GMT

Well its a topic quite close to home for me to be quite honest, I split up with my partner of 6 years about September last year but for one reason or another we've had to share the same house up untill the end of last month. We never argued but it was a bit awkward in a sense that we didn't really want to be in the same house as each other.

I have a house cat (allergic to everything inside and out on Z/D etc etc) he was out all the time and I was spending more time out of the house than I usually do to avoid seeing him. This had resulted in several strips of wallpaper being shredded and the poor cat obviousley being affected.

I have a new lodger now so I'm back home more and she seems to back to her old self again. I put two and two together the other night after seeing the rowing couple and feel terribly guilty for any stress I've caused her.

I'm going to invest in a cat tree (floor to ceiling - dead posh) and initiate enrichment activities for her.

Just me and the cat again... ahhh bliss

Re: The effects of stress on animals

Caro Laithwaite VN — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:27:58 GMT

The direct method is best. Just ask if there is any problems going on within the family at the moment.

Re: The effects of stress on animals

Saskia Quinn — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:22:20 GMT

[quote user="ej1574"]

cases I always ask has anything changed in the household, any stressful incidences for the cat etc, the reply is invariably 'no'..... not quite sure if I can ask 'are you arguing with your partner a lot at the moment?' !!!

[/quote]

hehe thats a very amusing thought though lol!!

Re: The effects of stress on animals

Emma Jarratt — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:20:54 GMT

Just this week I saw a cat for a booster that previously I'd seen a lot for FLUTD, hadn't seen him in a while, owner said that he had been fine for ages, no FLUTD problems at all. We remarked how great that was, wonder what had done it, maybe he was a more relaxed cat now. After a bit more conversation it transpired that the owners had divorced a few months ago and since then the house was a lot more relaxed, prior to that, when the cat was having repetitive FLUTD flares, there was lots of arguments and stressed people around.

When I am taking histories on these kinds of cases I always ask has anything changed in the household, any stressful incidences for the cat etc, the reply is invariably 'no'..... not quite sure if I can ask 'are you arguing with your partner a lot at the moment?' !!!

Re: The effects of stress on animals

S-J — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:18:36 GMT

that sounds like it could make a really good study, though not sure who would admit to having problems.

Re: The effects of stress on animals

Saskia Quinn — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:12:35 GMT

Thats a very interesting topic Kerry, and I am glad you have raised it. You could have some valid points in there. I know you shouldnt argue in front of your children for the same reason so why should pets be any different?