Feline Hyperesthesia
September 26, 2011
By jhofve77
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”). This condition starts as a
rippling of the cat’s skin on its back, from the shoulders to the tail; the cat
may turn and lick or bite at the area; and most cats will run away as if
something frightened or hurt them.
The jury is still
out on exactly what causes this problem. The first thing to rule out is a flea
problem; in a flea-allergic cat, just one flea bite may cause severe and
long-lasting itchiness. Flea-allergic dermatitis may cause the cat to lick and
scratch, especially around the hind end and base of the tail, even to the point
of serious hair loss (alopecia).
Dry or itchy skin
may appear similar or be a contributing factor to the problem. Adding essential fatty acids to your cat’s food,
or trying a hypoallergenic diet, could be the keys to
resolving the issue.
True hyperesthesia,
in many cases, appears to be a form of seizure disorder that may respond to
anti-convulsive medications. It may also fall somewhere on the behavioral
obsessive-compulsive spectrum; for these cats, stress reduction measures such
as play therapy, indoor enrichment, and flower essences may be helpful.
Source:http://www.littlebigcat.com/health/feline-hyperesthesia/
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