What to Know About Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome
Never heard of feline hyperesthesia syndrome? Count yourself lucky. It’s a somewhat rare, little-understood condition in cats that’s difficult to diagnose. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome?
You may have heard feline hyperesthesia syndrome referred to by its other names, rolling skin disease or skin-twitch syndrome. While it’s viewed by some as a form of epilepsy, some veterinarians believe it’s behavioral, not neurological. “Episodes” of the disorder usually last less than about a minute and can feel very much like a seizure. In many cases, an affected cat will frantically scratch or groom itself, eyes wide open. Sometimes a cat will pounce repeatedly in succession or even display uncharacteristic aggression. You might even see extreme vocalizations and even uncontrolled urination. The defining characteristic of hyperesthesia, though, is the rippling skin. As the cutaneous trunci muscle on a cat’s back twitches, the cat’s skin appears to move. In fact, episodes of hyperesthesia appear to more common in cats who were recently rubbed or scratched on the back.
What’s Going On?
Well, scientists don’t really know. The leading opinion is that hyperesthesia is a form of epilepsy; many cats appear to show signs of seizure just after an “episode.” Certain breeds of cat such as Siamese and Burmese tend to be more likely than others to suffer from the condition. Those who don’t believe the issue is neurological generally hold it’s a condition brought on by anxiety caused by trauma. They point to the dominant aggressive behavior displayed by a cat during an episode as the cat displacing territorial frustration…back onto itself.
Treating Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome
Most cats seem to only be temporarily affected by hyperesthesia, returning to their previous activity just as soon as an episode ends. Understandably, watching your cat ostensibly seize can be quite unsettling! If you think your cat may have had a hyperesthesia episode, it’s definitely a good idea to set up an appointment with your vet. Your veterinarian may want to check that your cat isn’t suffering pain from an undiagnosed condition such as arthritis, a pinched nerve, or a slipped disk. She may also want to run tests to be sure your cat doesn’t have a skin fungus or mite infestation of some kind, and she may ask you questions to help rule out a food allergy. Treatment of the condition is usually multi-modal and includes a behavioral component aimed at reducing anxiety. You may also have to stop scratching your cat on its back! Your vet will likely recommend one or more medications such as Gabapentin, fluoxetine, or phenobarbital to control your cat’s episodes.
