Feline
Hyperesthesia
Feline
Hyperesthesia: literally
"exaggerated sensation," is a poorly understood and disturbing
problem in which cats sporadically and suddenly growl, caterwaul
and leap through the air.
Problems underlying hyperesthesia
syndrome:
Hyperesthesia
syndrome, sometimes referred to as self-mutilation syndrome, rolling
skin syndrome, twitchy cat disease or atypical neurodermatitis,
is a problem in cats that can cause twitching of the skin, vocalizing,
excessive grooming, sudden jerking, running around as if being chased,
a dislike of being touched and tail swishing. Affected cats can
also self mutilate, which can cause hair loss or severe skin irritation
or injury, as part of this disorder. Siamese, Burmese, Himalayans
and Abyssinians are the most commonly affected breeds. Hyperesthesia
syndrome should be distinguished from the normal, playfully "crazy"
behavior displayed by most domestic cats. Hyperesthetic cats will
appear to be in distress; normal cats will not.
There
may be numerous underlying physical disease processes that stimulate
the hyperesthetic response in cats. It is also possible that in
some cases purely behavioral problems underlie the syndrome. Some
veterinarians have speculated that an underlying disorder gives
affected cats sensations much like those that people get when their
legs fall asleep (paresthesia). Others believe that the syndrome
may be triggered by itchiness that may be caused by a variety of
disorders including allergy to certain foods, fleabite sensitivity,
bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections, among other diseases.
Scratching can lead to an "itch-scratch"cycle, which contributes
additional stimulation to persistently provoke the response. Tumors
of the brain and nervous system, metabolic disorders like diabetes
and hormonal disturbances are potential contributors to hyperesthesia
syndrome as well.
Your
veterinarian will perform a general physical and neurological examination
to assess your cat’s overall health status and to help identify
underlying diseases that might stimulate your cat’s behavior.
Often the underlying disease is diagnosed by excluding other possible
anomalies. Routine tests to aid in diagnosis can include bloodwork
and radiographs (x-rays) of the spine. Other tests that may be performed
include CT and MRI scans to assess the possibility of a tumor or
other nervous system abnormality. If clinical evidence of a skin
disorder is found, the veterinarian may perform a number of tests
and diagnostic procedures to aid in identifying it.
Treatment
of cats affected with hyperesthesia syndrome is directed at the
underlying disease, if determined, and the signs presented by the
affected cat. Symptomatic treatment may include anti-seizure medications,
corticosteroids, or anti-anxiety agents. Often these medications
are tried therapeutically in series (one after the other) to determine
which drug works best for the specific patient. Acupuncture has
also been used for some affected cats.
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