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Paws & Claws

Jill Bowen has practiced veterinary medicine in England and Texas. She lives in Blacksburg now, and answers local pet owners' questions every week in The Roanoke Times and roanoke.com.

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Q I know you have dealt with this subject before, but what exactly is cat hyperesthesia? I think my 6-month-old kitten may have it, as she has suddenly started rolling around and yowling, especially when we stroke her.

A My immediate thought is that your female kitten is in heat. If you have never had an unspayed cat, the signs of heat can be quite alarming. A cat in heat becomes very affectionate, demanding attention, rolling on the ground, and presenting her rear end toward you while paddling with her hind legs, and is quite vocal. These cries vary from the piteous to ear splitting, especially in the case of the oriental breeds.

When I was in practice we often had cats brought to us where the owners were convinced they were in terrible pain, while they were merely in heat. Unless the cat is mated, she will remain in heat for approximately three weeks, after which there is a lull of about two weeks before she comes into heat again.

Arrange to have her spayed, and only if the symptoms persist and become worse after the operation would feline hyperesthesia syndrome be a reasonable suggestion.

FSH is a specific malady in cats that does seem to be on the increase. It has also been called neurodermatitis, rippling and rolling or twitchy skin syndrome. It seems to be a complex problem, and there is probably more than one cause.

Signs can develop at any age, but it is unusual before the cat is 1 to 4 years old. Signs may be seen to a mild degree in many cats, but it is only when the symptoms become really extreme that FSH is diagnosed.

Diagnosis is difficult and is based largely on the history, and is probably overused because many cats, especially kittens, will run around the house madly. Cats with FSH not only run around madly but also meow, swish their tails, as well as bite or lick at their tails and go glassy-eyed with dilated pupils. These episodes can last from a few seconds to several minutes, may occur at specific times of the day, vary from month to month, and may occur once every few days or several times a day. Between episodes the cat is quite normal and peaceful.

Both males and females are equally affected and can be neutered or intact. My calico cat has it to a mild degree in that most nights about 10 she takes off running round the furniture like a maniac, chasing her tail, which she lashes constantly and if stroked around her rear end, she will bite. In all other aspects she is remarkably healthy and, at 15 years old, her behavior is not a problem.

In more extreme cases cats may even attack their owners when having an episode. Often the typical response of rippling skin can be elicited by scratching the cat's back just in front of the tail. Careful: This may result in your being bitten.

FSH is not a result of problems with the tail, anal glands, skin, guts, ovaries or uterus, or having the cat spayed. It is probably a symptom of a neurological problem, the most likely cause being an interaction between the cat's basic personality and the environment. Affected cats are often nervous loners. Totally indoor cats maybe frustrated by not being allowed outside. Some cats are bored at being ignored or left alone at home all day. Some cats with FSH have shown changes in their brain waves, but not all.

Some cats have responded to a diet containing fewer preservatives. Some success has been achieved by using a synthetic hormone in combination with a sedative; however, symptoms return when the drugs are withdrawn. Some cats will stop the mad dash around the house if squirted with a water bottle, giving credence to one theory that it is a learned behavior.