Overview

Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome ( FHS ) distinguish episodes in which a quat obsessively lap , scratches , or chaw at themselves in response to a person or another fauna touch them or spontaneously in severely affect cats . sign may admit excessive training of the lower back , skin along the back ripple or peal , and aggression . FHS discussion involve behavioral and environmental modification , but medicine may be required for more stern case .

If your qat has ever swat your hand by in reply to your well - meaning belly rubs , that ’s just her lifelike way of life of saying she has had enough . But if your computed tomography suddenly aggress your hand after you scrape up her lower back , that can be a sign of Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome ( FHS ) .

Let ’s take a closer flavour at what causes this syndrome in cats , polarity to watch for , and how to treat it .

Cat licking themselves excessively

What is Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome?

“ Hyperesthesia ” have in mind an addition in sensitivity . When a stimulant that does not normally make pain is perceived as irritating , this is relate to as “ allodynia . ” This term may more precisely describe Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome .

FHS is also known by many other descriptive damage : rolling skin disease , roll out pelt syndrome , apparent neuritis , irregular neurodermatitis , psychomotor epilepsy , and twitchy hombre disease . No matter the name , it describes episodes in which a cat obsessionally licks , scratches , or manduction at herself . Sometimes this is in reply to a person or another animal adjoin the cat . In more seriously affected cats , these episodes can occur spontaneously .

FHS in computerized axial tomography can emerge anytime during adulthood but most often appear between the time of physical maturity and 1 year of long time .

Cat tilted head looking to owner

Feline Hyperesthesia SyndromeCauses

The cause of FHS in cats is not well read . Some veterinary researchers hypothesise it is a behavioral disorder along the lines of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ( OCD ) that leads to exuberant grooming . Others suggest it is related to seizure disorders or due to injury . The true movement is likely multifactorial , think cats have multiple risk factor before becoming clinically affected by the syndrome . Part of the disarray is due to the variability in reception to treatments . Some kat respond well to anxiousness medications , while others respond well to trouble and seizure control medication . Other cats may require both type of medicine .

sure breeds , such asAbyssinian , Burmese , Persian , and Himalayan cats , are at high risk of infection for developing FHS . This means there is likely at least some inheritable genetic component to the syndrome .

Signs of Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome

Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome hap in inadequate sequence and usually take the area decent in front of a cat-o'-nine-tails ’s rump ( lumbar spine ) . These instalment may last only 1 to 2 minutes . During an episode , sign of FHS in cats may include :

Cats may assault their own tooshie or low back , or they may take out their aggression on nearby multitude or animals .

Episodes of FHS are fugacious , meaning the computerized tomography can be normal and palpate comfy most of the time and then on the spur of the moment have amoment of infliction . This is peculiarly noticeable if you are pet or playing with your CT when the episode occur . The frequency of episodes diverge , as does the hardness of hyperesthesia . Episodes can hap rarely ( once a calendar month ) or very frequently ( multiple times per day ) .

Persian cat walking on the sidewalk

Diagnosing Hyperesthesia Syndrome in Cats

There is no exclusive psychometric test for FHS . To name Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome , your veterinarian will need to rule out other possible reason of your cat ’s symptom first . Skin irritation , such as fromfleas , hide allergy , teetotal skin , or skin transmission , can get standardized signs in cat . spinal anaesthesia problems , such asarthritis , wound , disk herniation , and cancer , can also acquaint as similar installment of pain .

In addition to a thorough physical exam , your veterinarian will conduct arrant orthopedic and neurologic exams to diagnose FHS in cat . Your veterinarian may also recommend diagnostic examination , such as :

Blood work and urinalysis . These will be used to valuate your qat for a metabolic or endocrine campaign of symptom .

Cat swatting at owner being aggressive

Radiographs . X - rays of your computed axial tomography ’s spur and tail will help determine whether there is a specific cause of the episode .

MRI.An MRI ( magnetic reverberance image ) enables a veterinarian to evaluate the physical wellness of the muscleman and ligament around your qat ’s spine , spinal electric cord , and near particular of the vertebral bone of the vertebral column . This is the gold banner of evaluation for FHS .

depend on the presentation of your cat ’s symptom , a consultation with a veterinary behaviorist may be helpful as well .

Sweet cat being held at the vet’s office

How to TreatFeline Hyperesthesia Syndrome

There is no remedy for FHS in cats . If episode can be avoided by not touching your cat in a particular location on her body , avoidance of the domain is a more appropriate treatment than medicine . Similarly , if the cat-o'-nine-tails ’s symptom are soft and she only grooms intently for a forgetful moment , no medication is needed . However , if episode of Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome cause your qat to potentially wound herself or others , then medication is required .

The first part of treatment of FHS is behavioral and environmental modification . This is shoot for at reducing stress , anxiety , and touch off your cat has for FHS . addendum such as coenzymes , omega-3 fatso pane , and a prescription medicine skin livelihood dieting may also reduce the frequence and rigour of FHS in cats .

For mild to temperate cases of FHS in cat , a medicine shout gabapentin can be very helpful in reduce the severity and/or frequency of episode . Gabapentin reduces heart pain in the ass and can also be helpful in reduce seizures , which may be related to FHS . Gabapentin is also useful to reduce stress in computerized tomography . For some cats , FHS is better make do with anti - anxiety medicine , such as fluoxetine hydrocholoride ( Prozac ) or Clomipramine . Neurontin and fluoxetine both cost just about $ 10-$30 / calendar month .

Cat taking a pill from owner

Cats with stern FHS may require multiple medications as well as periodic epidural injections ( injections into the spinal column ) with painfulness medicine and sex hormone , costing about $ 100 each .

While the prognosis for FHS in cats is generally good and the syndrome can be well - make out with medication , some cats who suffer from severe instance may self - mutilate , or bruise themselves , worsen pain sensation and get transmission . Some may also become very aggressive , especially when another animal or a somebody touches them . These are indicator of a poor forecast due to poor welfare for the cat .

How to PreventFeline Hyperesthesia Syndrome

FHS in computerized axial tomography can not be forestall . you could reduce the frequency or harshness of episodes by reducing your cat ’s anxiousness and accent . Some crucial consideration are efficacious flea control ( to concentrate itching ) , regular brush and grooming to keep your guy ’s coat intelligent , and stop interacting with your cat if she shows any signs of stress .

Since there may be a solid behavioral component to FHS , providing a secure , prosperous dwelling house with plenty of even exercise and interaction may deoxidize your cat ’s risk .

Cat playing with a toy at home on cat tree