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Feline Hyperaesthesia Syndrome (view source)
Revision as of 09:15, 30 August 2014
, 09:15, 30 August 2014→Diagnosis
Owners may regard the cat's behaviour as bizarre, or even amusing, but rarely regard hyperaesthesia itself as a problem until it becomes really severe. A diagnosis is usually only considered when hyperaesthesia results in self trauma or behavioural problems. It is unknown whether hyperaesthesia occurs in discrete bouts or, in fact, produces an ongoing altered perception of touch contact. '''The fact that bouts maybe triggered by contact implies that touch sensation is persistently altered in some way'''.
Owners may regard the cat's behaviour as bizarre, or even amusing, but rarely regard hyperaesthesia itself as a problem until it becomes really severe. A diagnosis is usually only considered when hyperaesthesia results in self trauma or behavioural problems. It is unknown whether hyperaesthesia occurs in discrete bouts or, in fact, produces an ongoing altered perception of touch contact. '''The fact that bouts maybe triggered by contact implies that touch sensation is persistently altered in some way'''.
==Diagnosis==
==Investigation==
Feline hyperaesthesia is relatively poorly understood and there are a number of medical differentials that should be excluded before a behavioural investigation.
Feline hyperaesthesia is relatively poorly understood and there are a number of medical differentials that should be excluded before a behavioural investigation.
====Clinical Signs====
====Clinical Signs====
*Sudden bouts of increased arousal, with the cat dashing about and jumping as if pursued or pursuing an invisible ‘opponent’
*Sudden bouts of increased arousal, with the cat dashing about and jumping as if pursued or pursuing an invisible ‘opponent’
*Bouts are often accompanied by vocalisation
*Bouts are often accompanied by vocalisation
====Differentials====
*[[:Category:Allergic Skin Diseases|Allergic skin disease]] (atopy, food allergy)
*[[:Category:Arthropods|Ectoparasites]]
*[[Seizures|Epilepsy]] (petit mal type – limbic location)
*Local or referred pain (spinal lesion, intermittently [[Patellar Luxation|luxating patella]], etc)
*[[Hyperthyroidism]]
*[[:Category:Central Nervous System - Pathology|CNS pathology]]
During these attacks, the cat’s behaviour is generally indicative of a '''state of alarm''' and as if it is reacting to '''hallucinatory visual, auditory or tactile stimuli'''. The bouts may occur without any obvious trigger, in which case the first sign may be skin twitching. Bouts also occur during handling or stroking by the owner, or grooming and play by other cats.
During these attacks, the cat’s behaviour is generally indicative of a '''state of alarm''' and as if it is reacting to '''hallucinatory visual, auditory or tactile stimuli'''. The bouts may occur without any obvious trigger, in which case the first sign may be skin twitching. Bouts also occur during handling or stroking by the owner, or grooming and play by other cats.