Michel K E
Department of Clinical Studies-Philadelphia, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6010, USA.
J Feline Med Surg. 2001 Mar;3(1):3-8. doi: 10.1053/jfms.2001.0108.
One of the most frequent motivations for seeking veterinary attention for a cat is when the owner recognises a loss of normal appetite in his pet. The medical term for a lack of appetite for food is 'anorexia', and it may be partial or complete. While anorexia is a common manifestation of disease, the mechanisms underlying decreased food intake are complex and not completely understood. The regulation of appetite involves interaction of external stimuli with signals from the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. Aberrations in any of the internal control systems for hunger and satiety, or changes in external factors such as diet or feeding environment, can result in partial or total anorexia. The challenge for the practitioner is not only to diagnose and treat the underlying condition, but to recognise at what point inadequate food intake has or will impinge on the patient's nutritional status to the extent that it might deleteriously affect clinical outcome. It is also important to bear in mind the significance that the patient's appetite and food intake has for the cat owner in his overall perception of his pet's condition and quality of life.
猫主人带猫寻求兽医帮助的最常见原因之一，是主人意识到自己的宠物食欲不如往常。食欲缺乏的医学术语是“厌食症”，可能是部分厌食或完全厌食。虽然厌食是疾病的常见表现，但食物摄入量减少的潜在机制很复杂，尚未完全了解。食欲的调节涉及外部刺激与来自胃肠道和中枢神经系统信号的相互作用。饥饿和饱腹感的任何内部控制系统出现异常，或者饮食或喂养环境等外部因素发生变化，都可能导致部分或完全厌食。从业者面临的挑战不仅是诊断和治疗潜在疾病，还要认识到食物摄入量不足在何时已经或将会影响患者的营养状况，进而可能对临床结果产生有害影响。同样重要的是要记住患者的食欲和食物摄入量对猫主人整体感知宠物状况和生活质量的重要性。
