Cat Ailments A to Z - Hyperesthesia

Also known as FHS - Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome
or
Twitch-Skin Syndrome
or
Psychomotor Epilepsy

I would call this the Jekyll & Hyde Syndrome.
At least when it comes to my cat Sebby.

So what is Hyperesthesia

The word Hyperesthesia means: Abnormally increased sensitivity of the skin.

Cats with Hyperesthesia  experience what seems to be an over sensitivity along their spine and around their lower back (tail)
The nervous and neuromuscular systems, along with the skin, are affected.
Symptoms may occur any age and can develop in any breed of cat.
Purebreds – especially Siamese, Abyssinians, Burmese, and Himalayans – seem to be predisposed to develop the syndrome

All will experience differing degrees of muscle spasms and twitches - this could also include twitching of the tail.
If your cat has the syndrome he/she may:

• Show sensitivity when any point along his spine or back is touched. 
• They may chase their tails
• Bite at themselves 
• Turn towards their tails and hiss, or meow, or run and jump - or do all of those things
• They may also seem to be hallucinating - following movement of things that are not there (creepy)
• During these episodes their pupils may be dilated (super creepy, that happens to Sebby)

In severe cases of feline Hyperesthesia, cats will self-mutilate by biting, licking, chewing and pulling out hair. These poor Cats suffer not only hair loss, but often severe skin lesions from trying too aggressively to seek relief from the uncomfortable sensations they experience. (Sebby does not do that part)

You can check on this site for a Video and explanation of how this is Diagnosed 

The same site also gives  you information regarding treatments.

This Syndrome is not very well known.. and understood even less.
Every site seems to give different explanations as to what happens- probably because each case is different.
Each animal has their own behaviours - so when the something occurs, each cat has a different reaction. 

 ************
I never really knew that this existed.
Sebby has always been strange.
Keyrah, another kitty that lives at my parents has also always been strange.
Both these cats more than likely have some form of this syndrome.
Though neither seem to be suffering, and they do not preform the more 'OCD' type licking and biting.
Neither have been diagnosed - If there were physical signs, or regular visual signs then I would take them in.
If I took them to see a vet...they look normal.. and I am just stressing them out ( which you are told to avoid)
I do not suggest leaving this unchecked if your pet seems to be suffering or is manically biting or chewing.

Sebby, well he is my bad boy.
He has the skin roll - you can see it like he just got a chill that rippled down his back.
His tail starts twitching..then wagging back and forth ....he seems rather pissed off that his tail is twitching.
Sometimes he kicks his feet.
Think of when you get your reflexes tested at the doctor and your leg jolts a bit when he hits your knee. That is what it seems like he is doing when his foot jolts.
Sometimes he meows, other times he looks ticked off at his foot or tail.
At times he bolts into another room.. not sure if he thinks maybe someone did something and he just didn't see them.
The part that freaks me out - and this doesn't happen a lot.. but enough that I know what to expect.
His pupils dilate - then he attacks Cubby. If Cubby isn't around.. and I am.. he may jump at me but generally doesn't connect because I saw the signs and I was prepared for his outburst.
He has scratched me, and snapped at me - guess I am lucky that he is actually not a mean kitty, he just can't help himself. 
If he is in another room and this happens.. he tends to just book into another room or up the stairs.
This lasts maybe a minute.
The random twitches are 10-20 seconds.. sometimes they go one every few minutes for a short time.
Just enough to annoy him. 

I was reading that some think it may be more of a seizure disorder.
That makes sense because when he gets all crazy.. he is in a zone.

Keyrah, she is more of the typical anxious type of cat. Always strange..way before I ever read about this - I would see her get in a fight with her back feet.
She would get annoyed with them. They would basically kick her.
She would be kicking herself..but it was as if she had no idea who was doing it.
It was highly amusing.. and now I feel bad for finding it amusing.
Other then those episodes, where she goes a few rounds with her feet - sometimes meowing when her foot gets a little too rough - and a few tail twitches, nothing else seemingly happens.
She is also not a chewer. I am thankful for that.


So if your cat bolts out of a room for no reason.. it could be a few things..

• Hyperesthesia
• Normal Cat Weirdness
• Ghosts

Sites with good information:
Cornell Feline Health Center 
Mercola Healthy Pets
Purely Pets ( Some Holistic Ideas)
VetInfo ( This one says it's also known as Cat Schizophrenia )
Cat World




If only they could stop creating new names for this syndrome....