Use of clomipramine in the treatment of anxiety-related and obsessive-compulsive disorders in cats

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of a treatment protocol for anxiety-related and obsessive-compulsive disorders in cats.
Design A study was undertaken to assess the clinical response in cats diagnosed with anxiety-related or obsessive-compulsive disorders to a treatment regimen that included clomipramine and behaviour modification.
Procedure The study group of 11 cats was acquired through referral. A detailed behavioural and clinical history was obtained. Presenting signs were urine spraying in seven cases, overgrooming in three and excessive vocalisation in one. Clomipramine was administered orally once daily. The mean starting dose was 0.4 mg/kg. If necessary, the dose was adjusted according to the clinical response of each cat. A behaviour modification program was designed and the owner instructed on its implementation. Cats were to continue on medication for at least 1 month after clinical signs disappeared, then medication withdrawal was to be attempted by decreasing the clomipramine dose progressively at weekly intervals while the behaviour modification program continued.
Results In all cases the presenting clinical sign was largely improved or disappeared. One cat was removed from the study by the owner. Four cats became lethargic at higher doses, but this resolved when the clomipramine dose was reduced. The average maintenance dosage was 0.3 mg/kg once daily. Clomipramine withdrawal was attempted in two cases: the behaviour returned in one case and the medication was reinstated at 0.3 mg/kg twice daily.
Conclusion Clomipramine was effective in controlling the signs of anxiety-related and obsessive-compulsive disorders in 10 of 10 assessable cases when used in combination with behaviour modification. Clomipramine was well tolerated.