'Battered pets': Munchausen syndrome by proxy (factitious illness by proxy)

Nine cases of suspected Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP), involving pets as proxies, were Identified among 448 cases of non-accidental Injury to sm all animals. These cases, recorded by a random sample of small animal pract itioners in the UK, demonstrated several combinations of features, includin g attention-seeking behaviour by the owner, real and apparently factitious clinical signs, deliberate injury, markedly abnormal biochemical profiles, serial incidents, Interference with surgical sites, recovery after separati on from the owner, and 'veterinarian-shopping' by the owner. All of these f eatures are consistent with those Identified in the well documented MSBP In which children are the victims. Furthermore, one of the cases Involved ser ial attempts at poisoning other animals and a child.