Trichophagia in Jack Russell terrier.

Trichotillomania, trichophagia, or Rapunzel syndrome is a rare obsessive disorder in which a person, primarily children and adolescents, compulsively pull out and eat their hair. Due to constant hair ingestion, a hairball can form in the stomach (trichobezoar). If left untreated, the trichobezoar can grow in the stomach and intestines, causing obstructions and other serious problems. The presence of hairballs is relatively common in cats and sporadic in dogs. Cats are especially prone to developing trichobezoars due to their habit of frequently grooming themselves, which can lead to the ingestion of large amounts of hair. Dogs, especially those with long hair, can also develop trichobezoars, although it is much less common than in cats. Trichobezoars can cause a variety of symptoms in cats and dogs, including vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, a large trichobezoar can cause an intestinal obstruction that requires treatment. In people, some trichobezoars can dissolve with carbonated drinks or pineapple juice, but in most cases, endoscopy and/or surgery are necessary to remove them. Trichobezoars that cannot be removed endoscopically due to their size must be surgically removed. The video shows the endoscopic removal of a 6 cm trichobezoar from the stomach of a 9-month-old Jack Russell terrier. In this case, the animal was ingesting the hair of its owners. Endoscopic removal was very laborious and was achieved by reducing its size with endoscopic forceps. To prevent the formation of trichobezoars in cats and dogs, it is important to regularly brush them to remove dead hair and minimize the amount of hair they ingest while grooming. Commercial products designed to prevent the formation of hairballs in animals can also be used. If a cat or dog shows symptoms of a trichobezoar, immediate veterinary attention should be sought to avoid serious complications.