Feline hyperesthesia treatment often consists of behavioral and environmental modifications. For more severe cases, medication may also be administered.
This condition may also be referred to as rolling skin disease, apparent neuritis, atypical neurodermatitis, psychomotor epilepsy or twitchy cat disease. Diagnosing it can be challenging; therefore it’s best to consult a veterinarian or veterinary neurologist for assistance.
Contents
Causes
If your cat is displaying unusual behaviors, such as twitching or rippling skin on the back, you should bring them to your veterinarian. It could be that they have an undiagnosed neurological disorder called Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS), also known as twitch-skin syndrome and rippling skin disease.
This condition is relatively uncommon, but can affect cats of all ages. Certain breeds appear more vulnerable than others such as Siamese, Burmese, Abyssinian and Persian.
Treatment for Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS) aims to manage your cat’s discomfort and make changes in his environment that reduce stress and avoid potential triggers for hyperesthesia. As this is a long process, you and your veterinarian must create an individualized treatment plan tailored specifically for your cat.
FHS is typically caused by chronic stress. This could include fleas, environmental stressors, myositis, seizures, spinal or neuropathic pain, or any combination thereof.
Symptoms
Feline hyperesthesia treatment typically begins with medications to reduce stress and anxiety. Additionally, behavioral modifications and environmental adjustments can be made that minimize stressors.
Hyperesthesia often begins with skin twitching or rolling. Other signs may include excessive grooming or chewing, as well as frantic behavior.
These episodes can last several seconds or minutes. Cats usually appear distressed, with dilated pupils and staring off into space.
Your vet can likely run tests to identify the source of your syndrome. If it’s due to a skin or nervous system disorder, treatment will be tailored specifically towards that condition.
No matter the cause, hyperesthesia can make petting your cat a painful experience for some cats. When the twitching or skin rippling starts, cats often cry, bite, or self-mutilate in an effort to escape the sensation.
Diagnosis
Veterinarians are still uncertain as to what causes this disorder, but they do know that it’s a bizarre one. It could be an allergic reaction when someone or another animal touches the cat; alternatively, severe cases may arise spontaneously.
Treatment for feline hyperesthesia consists of behavioral and environmental modifications to reduce the frequency of self-mutilation. This may include creating a routine to minimize stress, as well as providing medications to ease discomfort.
Veterinarians first attempt to rule out other potential causes for your cat’s behavior, such as spinal arthritis or skin issues like allergies and parasites. All these can cause pain in the area where they self-mutilate and influence how they respond when rubbing, scratching or grooming themselves.
If the issue is skin-related, your vet may prescribe corticosteroids or an antihistamine. They’ll also check for other underlying health problems like flea allergies or food sensitivities that could be triggering these episodes.
Treatment
No single treatment exists for feline hyperesthesia, but in most cases it can be managed successfully with medication, behavioral therapy and environmental enrichment.
Symptoms usually begin around one to four years of age, though any cat is susceptible. Siamese, Burmese, Himalayan, Persian and Abyssinian cats are particularly at risk.
If your pet is displaying symptoms of FHS, they should be examined by a veterinarian to rule out other conditions that could be causing their itching and biting. These could include skin issues like parasites, flea allergy dermatitis, or fungal infections.
Steroids, antihistamines and anti-seizure medications may be beneficial in managing your cat’s condition. These drugs may alleviate itching and discomfort while controlling self-mutilation behaviors.
