Feline hyperesthesia syndrome

Feline hyperesthesia syndrome
Other names"Feline hyperaesthesia syndrome", "apparent neuritis", "atypical neurodermatitis", "psychomotor epilepsy", "pruritic dermatitis of Siamese", "rolling skin syndrome", "twitchy skin disease", and "twitchy cat disease".
Domestic cat showing signs of aggression
SymptomsFrantic scratching, biting or grooming of tail and lower back; aggression towards other animals, humans and itself; and a rippling or rolling of the dorsal lumbar skin.
Usual onsetAround 9–12 months, or when the cat reaches maturity.
DurationThe syndrome will remain present for the cat's entire life, but episodes only last for one to two minutes.
TreatmentBehavioural adaptation, pharmaceuticals and alternative medicine.
PrognosisGood, provided the cat doesn't self-mutilate excessively.

First reported in 1980 by J. Tuttle in a scientific article, feline hyperesthesia syndrome, also known as rolling skin disease, is a complex and poorly understood syndrome that can affect domestic cats of any age, breed, and sex.[1][2][3][4][5] The syndrome may also be referred to as feline hyperaesthesia syndrome, apparent neuritis, atypical neurodermatitis, psychomotor epilepsy, pruritic dermatitis of Siamese, rolling skin syndrome, and twitchy cat disease.[2][4][6][7] The syndrome usually appears in cats after they've reached maturity, with most cases first arising in cats between one and five years old.[1][2][4]

The condition is most commonly identified by frantic scratching, biting or grooming of the lumbar area, generally at the base of the tail, and a rippling or rolling of the dorsal lumbar skin.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] These clinical signs usually appear in a distinct episode, with cats returning to normal afterwards. During these episodes, affected cats can be extremely difficult to distract from their behaviour, and often appear to be absent-minded or in a trance-like state.[4][5] Overall, the prognosis for the syndrome is good, so long as the syndrome does not result in excessive self-aggression and self-mutilation that may lead to infection.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d "Hyperesthesia Syndrome". Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Amengual Batle P, Rusbridge C, Nuttall T, Heath S, Marioni-Henry K (February 2019). "Feline hyperaesthesia syndrome with self-trauma to the tail: retrospective study of seven cases and proposal for an integrated multidisciplinary diagnostic approach". Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 21 (2): 178–185. doi:10.1177/1098612X18764246. hdl:20.500.11820/f5c2d14d-c09e-487b-8736-e97500d028eb. PMC 10814607. PMID 29595359. S2CID 4389341.
  3. ^ a b Barone G (2012). "Neurology". The Cat: Clinical Medicine and Management. Elsevier. pp. 734–767. doi:10.1016/b978-1-4377-0660-4.00027-2. ISBN 978-1-4377-0660-4. PMC 7152473. {{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e Tilley LP, Smith FW (29 September 2015). Blackwell's five-minute veterinary consult. Canine and feline (Sixth ed.). Ames, Iowa. ISBN 978-1-118-88161-3. OCLC 911135227.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ^ a b c Virga V (November 2004). "Behavioral dermatology". Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice. 19 (4): 240–9. doi:10.1053/j.ctsap.2004.10.006. PMID 18371321.
  6. ^ a b O'Leary DJ (August 2015). "A swallowed needle in a cat treated for feline hyperaesthesia syndrome". Acupuncture in Medicine. 33 (4): 336–7. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2015-010807. PMID 25987646. S2CID 32917950.
  7. ^ a b "Feline hyperesthesia in cats | Vetlexicon Felis from Vetstream | Definitive Veterinary Intelligence". www.vetstream.com. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  8. ^ Pakozdy A, Halasz P, Klang A (17 January 2014). "Epilepsy in cats: theory and practice". Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 28 (2): 255–63. doi:10.1111/jvim.12297. PMC 4857998. PMID 24438024.