Content
- Feline hyperesthesia: what is it?
- Feline hyperesthesia: causes
- Feline hyperesthesia: symptoms
- Feline hyperesthesia: how to diagnose?
- Feline hyperesthesia: treatment
It is not a secret that felines are animals that are extremely careful with their hygiene, and it is possible to say that the second activity they perform most during the day, besides sleeping, is licking their coat. However, when cleaning habits are compulsive, and in addition to sanitizing himself, he gets hurt, so it's a clear sign that something isn't right and that you should take your furry friend to the vet as soon as possible.
THE feline hyperesthesia may be one of the causes, so it is important to know the symptoms and treatment, to know how to deal with this disorder. Continue reading PeritoAnimal and find out how to know if your cat suffers from hyperesthesia.
Feline hyperesthesia: what is it?
This is a syndrome that rarely affects cats. It is the result of a alteration of the neuromuscular system, it causes the skin on the back to be curled or lifted from the shoulder region to the tail. When this happens, the affected area becomes very sensitive, causing the cat to believe that someone is chasing it or that something has gotten under its skin.
This disorder is too desperate for the felinetherefore he tends to lick and bite to try to escape what he believes is stalking or harassing him. Feline hyperesthesia is manifested by episodes of several minutes in length, of which the cat exhibits a number of symptoms. When the episode ends, the behavior returns to normal.
Due to its characteristics, this disease has several names, such as nervous cat syndrome or wavy skin syndrome, in addition to other more technical ones, such as neurodermatitis and neuritis.
Feline hyperesthesia: causes
Research cannot yet determine precisely what triggers this strange syndrome. Some claim that in breeds such as oriental cats, stress can trigger this disorder, especially when it's caused by a constant state of nervousness, product of loud noises or a tense environment.
Other studies link it to epilepsy, as many cats also convulse during episodes of feline hyperesthesia. Both diseases originate from a disturbance of the electrical impulses from the brain, therefore, many support this theory.
Some skin conditions, such as those caused by flea bites, infections, and dietary deficiencies, can cause hyperesthesia. In addition, obsessive-compulsive disorder has also been observed in many of the cats that suffer from this disease, so it is estimated that the appearance of one is related to the other.
Feline hyperesthesia: symptoms
The main symptom during hyperesthesia episodes is that the cat starts to repeatedly lick the lower back and tail, even getting sore to fight the unpleasant feeling, this is because the skin wrinkles.
He will try to bite and even attack his own tail as he doesn't recognize it as his own. If you try to stroke his back during episodes, he will show greater sensitivity in the area and may even adopt a hostile attitude about you.
The tics, the hair loss in areas where the skin lifts, and sores, are very common, mainly because of the bites that the cat gives itself. During the episodes, it is also common for the cat to be scared, run and jump around the house, as if being chased, giving the impression that he has hallucinations. The cat may also meow aloud and its pupils dilate.
Feline hyperesthesia: how to diagnose?
As it is a rare disease, whose causes are not yet defined, the main diagnosis is rule out other possible diseases. The first step is to see if the cat's hygiene habits have changed, becoming obsessive or causing injuries.
The next step is to take the cat to the vet. There, he will do the necessary tests to rule out skin diseases, brain disorders, thyroid or eating problems, among others. Blood tests, X-rays, among other studies, it will be necessary to determine whether it is feline hyperesthesia or, conversely, whether the problem is another.
Feline hyperesthesia: treatment
If you've wondered if feline hyperesthesia is curable, the answer is that unfortunately, there is no specific treatment. What is usually prescribed is to provide the cat with an environment calm and peaceful, reducing the chances of experiencing nervousness. A quiet place to sleep, the ability to easily access the food and the toilet box, without anyone or anything bothering you, will reduce episodes.
Occasionally it can be the use of tranquilizers required, in addition to essential medicines for heal possible skin wounds. Likewise, good food and enough fresh water will provide the cat with all the necessary nutrients.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.