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Feline Hyperaesthesia Syndrome (view source)
Revision as of 09:35, 30 August 2014
, 09:35, 30 August 2014→Investigation
==Investigation==
==Investigation==
The aetiology of feline hyperaesthesia is not known, and many of its signs overlap with other physical and behavioural health problems. Other causes should be excluded before reaching a diagnosis of FHS.
====Clinical Signs====
====Clinical Signs====
Signs indicative of hyperaesthesia are very variable, but include:
During bouts of FHS, 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 an external 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.
Signs indicative of hyperaesthesia are variable, but include:
*Mydriasis
*Touch sensitivity
*Ear twitching (often as if the cat is alert to a sound behind it)
*Tail thrashing
*Skin or muscle twitching or rippling (commonly thoracolumbar or at the tail base)
*Skin or muscle twitching or rippling (commonly thoracolumbar or at the tail base)
*Sudden bouts of intense grooming, self-mutilation or attacks on rear quarters, feet or tail
*Vocalisation
*Bouts of intense grooming, self-mutilation or attacks on rear quarters, feet or tail
*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’
Episodes vary in length, most often lasting a few minutes, and end spontaneously.
There is often a progression in level of activity during a bout, beginning with mydriasis and ear twitching, to self-directed nipping/licking, and then into increasingly frantic darting around and self-directed pouncing.
Prior to an episode, cats may become anxious and more attentive to their owners, suggesting that more subtle sensory or emotional changes precede an attack.
Anecdotally, bouts are more common in the evening.
Specific triggers should be identified, so that a treatment and management plan can be designed. Triggers may include:
*Human contact
*Human contact
#Stroking certain places (usually the back)
#Stroking certain places (usually the back)
#Play
#Play
#Allogrooming
#Allogrooming
====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]]
==Treatment==
==Treatment==