Heres what you should know about the symptoms, possible causes and treatment of feline hyperesthesia. The causes of rolling skin disease, or hyperesthesia, are unknown. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome hyperesthesia syndrome. When my cat was 9 months old, he developed the syndrome suddenly. A swallowed needle in a cat treated for feline hyperaesthesia syndrome. Twitchskin syndrome in cats still has veterinary experts puzzled as to what causes this bizarre feline behavior.
It is known by many names including rolling skin syndrome, twitchy cat disease. It is exhibited by a cat suddenly rising with vertical tail and with the skin over the dorsum appearing to twitch or roll. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome fhs is an unusual medical condition that affects the brain and causes some very strange symptoms in cats. Read on to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for cats with this condition. Fhs, feline hyperesthesia syndrome, rolling skin syndrome, twitchy cat disease, neuritis, twitchy ear syndrome, and atypical neurodermatitis. Clinical signs for hyperesthesia syndrome, a disorder than can affect cats of all ages, typically occur in brief bursts of odd behavior lasting perhaps only a minute or two at most. Some kitties experience grand mal seizures during an episode of hyperesthesia or right afterwards. Other common names used for this problem are rippling skin syndrome, rolling. How to diagnose and treat hyperesthesia syndrome in cats.
Hyperesthesia causes the cat to feel intensely sensitive to being touched. Jan 11, 2009 after taking ivy to her vet, it seems she has feline hyperesthesia syndrome also known as rolling skin syndrome, and is in some ways very similar to a seizure disorder. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of this disorder, below. Treat feline hyperesthesia syndrome, fhs, rolling skin syndrome naturally using azmira holistic animal care products and more. Although this is sometimes difficult to diagnose, it is a treatable condition. Hyperesthesia is usually controlled by the administration of antianxiety, antiseizure or antidepressant medication. Is your cat biting at himself, sensitive to touch and showing erratic behavior. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome creepypasta wiki fandom. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome is a disease which causes an abnormal and increased sensitivity to the skinmainly at the spine, the back and the base of the tail. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome article pdf available in compendium yardley, pa 316. Clinical signs of feline hyperesthesia syndrome fhs.
When diagnosing hyperesthesia other underlying conditions must be ruled out first, such as epilepsy, arthritis, abscesses, cancer, spinal problems, injuries and other skin conditions. This condition starts as a rippling of the cats skin on its back, from the shoulders to the tail. Pets can show signs of distress, aggression, self trauma and more but these signs can also be caused by numerous other diseases so it is important to rule out other causes with a. Since the cause of feline hyperesthesia is still unknown, ruling out other health issues first is necessary. The main symptom of feline hyperesthesia is a sensitive lower back. In most all cases, once it has been identified and diagnosed, it can very successfully be treated by various forms of drug therapy. To summarize, feline hyperesthesia is a diagnosis of exclusion, but once you and your veterinarian are confident in the diagnosis, treatment options exist that can help dedicated. Twitchskin syndrome in cats symptoms, causes, diagnosis. Other than humans, cats and dogs are also the sufferers of hyperesthesia.
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome, rolling skin disease. No one knows why the disorder occurs, though it is believed to be an obsessivecompulsive disorder, seizure disorder, or type of neurological disorder. One hypothesis is that feline hyperesthesia syndrome is actually a form of seizures, while others believe it is a form of obsessivecompulsive disorder. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome is an uncommon but recognized condition in cats, particularly siamese, burmese, himalayan, and abyssinian cats. I found out a little late, however, for i couldnt place her bursts of wild behavior until i took her to a vet, who insisted it was nothing to worry about as long as the scratching wouldn. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome and feline psycogenic alopecia are two interesting and often overlapping syndromes of cats. Read how to control fhs naturally through a high quality diet and supplements. Hyperesthesia means abnormally increased sensitivity of the skin. Feline hyperesthesia, also known as cat schizophrenia, is a disorder that causes dramatic changes in character, strange and even aggressive behavior. Rippling skin disorder is a common name for a condition known technically as feline hyperesthesia syndrome fhs, and it is characterized by a number of symptoms. It can affect cats of all ages, but it usually appears for the first time in afflicted cats between the ages of 1 and 5 years. By definition, hyperesthesia means abnormally increased sensitivity of the skin.
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome, or fhs, can cause such severe and dramatic changes in a cats behavior that some owners swear their poor cat is possessed. Feline hyperesthesia fhs is a weird twitchy disorder that makes your cat very uncomfortable. It can affect felines of all ages, but it is most common in adult cats and the cause is still somewhat of a mystery. Prevalence of psychogenic alopecia or compulsive overgrooming among cats with a presentation of self. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome fhs is a poorly understood disorder characterized by myriad clinical signs, including rippling of the skin over the lumbar muscles, excessive grooming, tail chasing, mydriasis, selfmutilation, aggression, frantic biting at the feet and tail base, and vocalization. This story is an entry for the finals of the 2015 creepypasta freestyle competition. This is also known as rollingskin syndrome, ripplingskin disease, and twitchskin syndrome. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome is an uncommon medical condition that distresses the brain which then results in a couple of weird symptoms in felines. In cats it is known as feline hyperesthesia or rolling skin syndrome or twitchy cat disease.
Understanding b hav or feline hyperesthesia syndrome. It is a rare disorder in cats where the cat has episodes of frantic biting or licking of the back half of their body. Hyperesthesia means increased sensitivity to touch, particularly along the spine, where skin can roll and ripple in response to touch. It is more commonly known as the rolling skin syndrome or the twitchy cat disease because of the seizurelike symptoms that it. It can affect cats of all ages, though it is most prevalent in mature animals. Jun 16, 2019 feline hyperesthesia is also called twitchskin syndrome. Other possible causes include neurological disorders, stress, and anxiety. The cats having feline hyperesthesia exhibit odd, hyperactive, often aggressive behavior including biting, snapping, and self mutilation due to increased sensation. This is a rare condition that causes the cat to react to physical stimuli that should not cause pain. The parts of the body most vulnerable are the spine and along the tail.
Cats have many unique characteristics that make for some interesting health challenges, but one of the strangest is ripple skin syndrome, or itchy twitchy syndrome technically called feline hyperesthesia. Some experts believe twitchskin syndrome is a neurological disorder as touch stimulation along the spine, which houses the spinal cord and bodily nerves, commonly ignites the reaction. Most cats with feline hyperesthesia syndrome are diagnosed based on patient history. Your cat may be suffering from feline hyperesthesia syndrome. A compulsive disorder, feline hyperesthesia syndrome usually begins in cats at 1 to 4 years of age. I have researched for countless hours on this disease, and although there is a lot of good information out there, and obviously caring people, i cannot find any treatment options that have helped. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome is also known as rolling skin syndrome. It is often described as a seizure disorder but the cause is unknown. Jul 04, 2015 what is feline hyperesthesia syndrome or feline skin spinal syndrome fssr.
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome, rolling skin disease purelypets. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome can cause a variety of signs that may be behavioral, neurologic or dermatologic in cat s but is considered a fairly rare condition. What is feline hyperesthesia syndrome or feline skin spinal syndrome fssr. We hope to lend some support, tips, and information. A relatively mild condition, once established, the condition doesnt progress very much. Other common names used for this problem are rippling skin syndrome, rolling skin syndrome. Since feline hyperesthesia syndrome is not a specific diseasebut rather a set of signstreatment cannot cure an afflicted cat, but merely mitigate the severity of these signs. Its tempting to merely think of this as nutty cat behavior, but it may actually be signs of an enigmatic condition called feline hyperesthesia syndromefhs. It is more commonly known as the rolling skin syndrome or the twitchy cat disease because of the seizurelike symptoms that it displays. During an episode cats show a number of typical signs, including. May 17, 2011 this is my cat kiddy having what appears to be an episode of fhs.
While most veterinary practices are necessarily geared toward the medical aspect of care, there are many opportunities to bring behavior awareness into the clinic for the benefit of. He was completely normal one day, and then it happened in the middle of the night. The behavior that you describe characterizes what is variously called feline hyperesthesia syndrome, rolling skin disease, neuritis, twitchy cat disease, psychogenic alopecia, and atypical neurodermatitis. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome fhs, also known as twitchskin syndrome and psychomotor epilepsy, is an obscure cat disorder resulting in intense biting or licking of the back, tail, and pelvic limbs. Hyperesthesia syndrome cornell university college of. It appears to be more common in siamese cats, but other cases have been reported. Behavior feline hyperesthesia syndrome about this column behavior problems are a significant cause of death euthanasia in companion animals. After taking ivy to her vet, it seems she has feline hyperesthesia syndrome also known as rolling skin syndrome, and is in some ways very similar to a seizure disorder. I have a 9 year old american shorthair that i love dearly, and that for nearly 5years now, has exhibited symptoms of feline hyperesthesia. Experts theorize the syndrome might be caused by a problem with electrical activity in areas of the brain that control grooming, emotions and predatory behavior.
Cats affected by this syndrome show the most bizarre character changes, sometimes appearing to hallucinate, act manic, schizophrenic, or even possessed. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome, also known as rolling skin disease, is a rare illness in domestic cats that causes episodes of agitation, selfmutilation, and a characteristic rippling of the skin when touched. It is also known as selfmutilation syndrome, rolling skin syndrome, twitchy cat disease, and atypical neurodermatitis. Mar 06, 2017 feline hyperesthesia fhs is a weird twitchy disorder that makes your cat very uncomfortable. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome what is it and how do you.
It is a worldwide phenomenon, though worse in the u. This page has been founded in memory of meowth who suffered from this condition. She will also run and hide under somethinglike she is really scared she is. You can try weaning him off the drugs again in another 46 months, but keep in mind that many cats with feline hyperesthesia syndrome do require lifelong treatment. Or more precisely, feline hyperesthesia may be a type of seizure disorder. Typically, the area the cat focuses on will be the spine and tail. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome, also known as rolling skin disease, is a rare citation needed illness in domestic cats that causes episodes of agitation, selfmutilation, and a characteristic rippling of the skin when touched. Dealing with feline hyperesthesia syndrome uexpress. Dec 10, 2014 some of these attributes, in an extreme form, are components of the syndrome known as feline hyperesthesia. Hyperesthesia syndrome definition of hyperesthesia. It appears to be more common in siamese cats, but other cases have been. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome pet forums community. The cause of feline hyperesthesia syndrome still isnt entirely known.
The problem with hyperesthesia syndrome is that it has parts that cut across many body systems, including neurology and dermatology, so sometimes its unclear what were actually treating. The word hyperesthesia means extreme sensitivity to touch. Feline hyperesthesia is also called twitchskin syndrome. Hyperthyroidism hyper too much, thyroid a hormonemaking gland, is seen mostly in older cats age 10 or more. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome is an extremely frightening experience for any owner and it is even more frightening for your cat. It is known by many names including rolling skin syndrome. This medical condition affects cats of every age, however, it is typically common in older adult cats and the reason or causes for it is still a bit of a mystery. A serious disease called feline hyperthyroidism has risen to epidemic proportions since the first cases were diagnosed in 1979. This is my cat kiddy having what appears to be an episode of fhs. The feline hyperesthesia syndrome rolling skin syndrome, feline neurodermatitis is another behavioral abnormality. It may begin with signs typical of feline psychogenic alopecia and then escalate. With hyperesthesia youll usually notice the cat engages in an excessive amount of selfgrooming.
I recently read your column regarding the cat with a feline hyperesthesia syndrome. Vets arent sure what causes fhs, but they have a few theories. Here is all you need to know about feline hyperesthesia. She will also run and hide under somethinglike she is really scared she is 5 years old, and just recently started this. Fhs in cats is a rare disorder that can surface in cats of any age, but it usually affects mature cats. Hyperesthesia my cat, god rest her soul, had hyperesthesia. Some experts believe twitchskin syndrome is a neurological disorder as touch stimulation along the spine, which houses the spinal cord.
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