Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
If treatment with rest and corticosteroids does not give the cat sig-
nificant pain relief or return of function, discuss decompression surgery
with your veterinarian.
If your cat requires surgery on any part of her spinal cord, consider
consulting with a board-certified veterinary surgeon. Spinal surgery is
a delicate and risky procedure that is best left to the experts.
FELINE HYPERESTHESIA SYNDROME
Staring off into space and chasing objects we can't see are normal feline
behaviors, but these behaviors can become more extreme in cases of
hyperesthesia. No one knows what actually causes this syndrome, but it
is typically seen in young adult cats.
The most common sign of hyperesthesia is frantic licking and bit-
ing at the air, especially when the cat is touched around the end of her
spine. Other possible signs are mood swings, vocalizations, seizures,
excessive grooming, skin rippling, dilated pupils, tail swishing and
hyperactive behavior.
I have seen mild forms of this condition most often in overweight
cats with matted coats and fleas.They cannot reach around and scratch
themselves, so they go crazy when scratched or combed along the end
of their spines. I think the stimulation is so overwhelming because the
cat has been dying to do the same herself but cannot. Regular groom-
ing, flea control and use of anti-inflammatory drugs often control the
condition.
There are more extreme manifestations of hyperesthesia with pro-
longed unpredictable behavior. There are many theories about what
triggers this bizarre behavior, including an underlying seizure disorder,
obsessive-compulsive behavior, an inherited reaction to stress, and mus-
cle inflammation and abnormalities.
If the problem does not respond to skin care, treatment should focus
on relieving stress, engaging the cat in play activities and medicating
with either anti-anxiety drugs or the anticonvulsant Phenobarbital.
