How to Diagnose and Treat Hyperesthesia Syndrome in Cats

Co-authored by Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD

Last Updated: September 15, 2021 References

Feline hyperesthesia is also called twitch-skin syndrome. It is a rare disorder in cats where the cat has episodes of frantic biting or licking of the back half of their body. No one knows why the disorder occurs, though it is believed to be an obsessive-compulsive disorder, seizure disorder, or type of neurological disorder. To diagnose the problem, identify the episodes in your cat and take them to the vet. Treating the problem includes creating a stress-free environment and giving the cat medication.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Recognizing Symptoms

1
Monitor for episodes of abnormal movement. Symptoms of Feline Hyperesthesia occur in short episodes of abnormal behavior. The cat will be doing something normal, like sleeping, sitting, or walking, and then suddenly they will start moving in a repeated, twitching way. These episodes generally last from around 10 seconds to a few minutes. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
- After the episode is over, the cat will go back to the normal behavior they were doing before.
2
Watch for self-harming behavior during an episode. During these episodes, the cat will engage in repetitive behavior that may result in self-harm. Their skin may start twitching, or the tail may swish back and forth in a violent, agitated manner. Because of this, they may start scratching or biting their skin, or they may start chasing their tail and trying to attack it.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- The cat make start scratching their skin in an obsessive, repetitive way, or they will suddenly start licking or biting at their back, tail, or side. Often, this is combined with removing their fur and can be considered self-mutilating behavior.
- This often occurs after being touched by their owners.
Advertisement
3
Watch for other agitated behavioral changes. Your cat may exhibit other symptoms that make them seem frantic or agitated. They may suddenly open their eyes wide, and you may notice they have very dilated pupils. They may frantically run around the house after an episode.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- The skin may start rippling on the back due to twitching muscles beneath it.
4
Look for scared behavior. Some cats become extremely scared suddenly due to this condition. They may run away from something they think is a threat but that is not actually there. The cat may start salivating a lot or make agitated or frantic sounds.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Some cats may have accidents where they suddenly urinate.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Diagnosing FHS

1
Take your cat to the vet. This condition is diagnosed by ruling out other diseases. The vet also assesses the symptoms to help identify the condition. The vet will do a physical exam to check for symptoms of other diseases.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Videos of your cat’s episodes may help the vet determine if the symptoms are FHS.
2
Get tests to rule out other conditions. There is no specific test for FHS. Instead, the vet needs to test for other conditions to rule those out before diagnosing hyperesthesia. The vet will perform blood work to check blood count, the thyroid, and the blood chemistry. They will also do skin tests to check for parasites, skin allergies, or dermatitis.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- The vet may also do imaging tests to check for internal problems.
3
Take the cat to a specialist. In some cases, the vet will refer the cat to a specialist. These specialists will do more specific tests to rule out rare diseases and more definitively diagnose FHS. Neurologists and dermatologists are usually consulted in these cases since FHS deals with both the brain and the skin.^{[7]
X
Research source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Treating Hyperesthesia

1
Give your cat medication. The vet may prescribe medication to help manage your cat’s symptoms. The cat may be given antidepressants, anti-obsessional, or anti-convulsant medications. These drugs aim at calming the cat and reducing anxiety.^{[8]
X
Research source}
2
Reduce stressors for your cat. The symptoms of this condition often occur when the cat is overly stressed. Reducing as much stress for your cat can help. Things that stress your cat may not make sense to you, like being fed at a different time.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Try feeding your cat on a schedule. Routine can help ease stress for the cat.
- Aggression between other pets and people in the house can cause stress to the cat. Address this aggression to help give all pets a calmer environment.
- Provide your cat with appropriate vertical space, such as a cat tree, and areas to hide.
3
Interact with your cat. Not getting enough time with you may cause stress. Play with them with toys, have them run around and chase small balls of paper or toys, and provide cat furniture. Cat furniture can also help them jump and run to expel energy.
- Exercise and spending time with you helps decrease the cat’s boredom, which can reduce their stress.
4
Avoid stimulating the cat’s skin. Taking care to not bother the cat’s skin can help. Avoid scratching the cat, especially on their back. You should also be careful not to touch along their tail and the bottom half of their body. Those areas are extremely sensitive and may trigger an episode.^{[10]
X
Research source}