Treatment options for feline hyperesthesia syndrome

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.

Feline hyperesthesia syndrome, also known as “twitchy cat disease” or “rolling skin disease,” is a condition in which cats have extreme sensitivity (hyperesthesia) to stimuli on the skin. This results in abnormal behaviors, such as episodes of skin rolling or twitching, restlessness, erratic behavior, tail chasing, and overgrooming. It’s important for cat owners to be able to recognize subtle changes in behavior that can indicate a medical concern in their pet. If you have a cat, read on to learn:

• Causes of hyperesthesia syndrome in cats
• Symptoms of feline hyperesthesia
• How hyperesthesia is diagnosed and treated in cats

The exact cause of the disorder is not completely understood but is thought to include neurologic, dermatological, or psychological factors. Though it’s rare, hyperesthesia syndrome can affect quality of life in cats, with some cat breeds affected more often than others. Hyperesthesia syndrome appears to stem from underlying health conditions that result in discomfort and anxiety in affected cats. Treatment plans involve symptomatic care and determining and addressing the potential underlying cause.

Hyperesthesia is a symptom described as extreme sensitivity of the skin. Feline hyperesthesia can be caused by a variety of health conditions, such as:

• Allergic skin disease
• Ectoparasites, such as fleas
• Neurologic conditions that cause neuropathic pain or seizures
• Psychological issues or behavioral disorders

Hyperesthesia syndrome is a condition in which cats behave compulsively due to extreme skin sensitivity. Hyperesthesia syndrome is often first noticed by cat owners when they attempt to pet their cat and receive a sudden, disproportionate reaction. Hyperesthesia syndrome in cats is not an emergency or life-threatening but can negatively affect a cat’s quality of life. It can be triggered by an underlying condition that needs treatment.

Cat breeds at risk for hyperesthesia syndrome

Any breed of cat can develop hyperesthesia syndrome. However, the condition is more commonly diagnosed in certain cat breeds, including:

• Burmese
• Siamese
• Abyssinian
• Persian

Most cats who are diagnosed with hyperesthesia syndrome are one to two years old at the age of onset, regardless of their breed.

Clinical signs of hyperesthesia syndrome can vary in type and severity between individual cats but may include:

• Biting or vocalizing when touched
• Self-mutilation, or biting at the skin
• Twitchy or rolling skin along the back
• Excessive grooming
• Restlessness or pacing
• Tail chasing
• Seizure-like activity

Symptoms occur when a specific part of the body is stimulated or touched, usually around the base of the tail or lower back. The degree of sensitivity varies between individual cats.

Medical conditions with similar clinical signs

The most prominent clinical signs of hyperesthesia syndrome in cats are compulsive grooming, twitchy or rolling skin, and signs of discomfort when touched. These symptoms can occur due to many other health conditions, such as:

• Skin infections
• Environmental or food allergies
• External parasites
• Musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis or disc disease
• Other neurologic conditions
• Trauma
• Infectious disease
• Epilepsy

It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis from a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms. Treatment methods vary between diagnoses.

Diagnosing feline hyperesthesia syndrome involves ruling out other, more common conditions with similar clinical signs. Recommended diagnostic tests may include:

• Physical exam, including a full neurologic examination
• Skin scrapings and skin cytology
• Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays
• Blood tests
• Urinalysis
• Fecal test

The goal of treatment for hyperesthesia syndrome is to improve quality of life and to reduce discomfort. Underlying medical conditions that could be the cause must be addressed as part of treatment. A treatment plan for a cat with hyperesthesia syndrome may include:

• Avoiding touching or grooming along the back
• Environmental modification to manage stress
• Flea treatment
• Allergy treatment
• Antibiotics or antifungals
• Anti-anxiety medication
• Pain medication
• Anti-seizure medication

“Treatment for hyperesthesia syndrome is variable and will require investigation and diagnostics to determine what is most likely attributing to the condition in each individual cat,” explains Dr. Jamie Lecky, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. Symptoms may wax and wane over time based on the underlying cause. Hyperesthesia syndrome requires long-term management that may change over time. An online veterinarian may be helpful in ongoing care once the condition has been diagnosed and a treatment plan has been implemented.

Cats are prone to hide signs of discomfort, so a slight change in normal behavior can indicate something is wrong. It’s not normal that a cat would self-mutilate, groom so much that they lose hair, or react painfully to being touched without any cause. It’s best for pet owners to seek veterinary care when their cat’s physical or behavioral health changes, even if that change seems minor. Behavioral changes can occur due to a wide variety of medical issues, including hyperesthesia syndrome.

What triggers hyperesthesia in cats?

Feline hyperesthesia can be triggered by a variety of health conditions, such as skin issues, allergies, stress or anxiety, external parasites, neurologic disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, and a variety of other medical issues. It’s best to seek veterinary care to accurately diagnose hyperesthesia and determine its underlying cause.

Are cats with hyperesthesia in pain?

Cats with hyperesthesia are thought to experience significant discomfort due to their increased sensitivity to touch and stimuli. The degree of pain or discomfort can vary from cat to cat. For this reason, it’s important to seek veterinary care. There are a variety of potential treatment methods to help nerve pain and discomfort, depending on the underlying cause.

What medication is used to treat hyperesthesia syndrome in cats?

Medical treatment of hyperesthesia syndrome in cats depends on the underlying cause of the condition. It may include medication for anxiety, treatment for skin infections or parasites, allergy treatment, pain medication, or treating a variety of other underlying conditions, such as neurologic issues and musculoskeletal disorders.