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    What is Going on With Your Cat's Abrupt Twitching?

    Topic: Stress Relief
    13 Comments

     

    Cats’ behavior is not always explainable; sometimes, they do strange things that we just don’t understand. From random meowing to jumping at the sight of their own shadow, there are a lot of cat behaviors and reactions that might perplex us.

    One “strange” behavior some cat parents notice, however, actually has an underlying medical explanation. If your cat begins twitching and scratching intensely out of nowhere, don’t write it off as just another strange behavior. These symptoms may actually be indicative of hyperesthesia syndrome, or twitch-skin syndrome.

    Catching the signs of hyperesthesia syndrome

    When cats experience hyperesthesia syndrome, their backsides become extremely sensitive. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome causes abrupt “episodes,” during which cats will display one or more symptoms for seemingly no reason. These episodes can last between a few seconds to a few minutes long, after which the cat will typically return to their normal behavior pattern. The name of the disorder, “hyperesthesia,” is mostly related to this hypersensitivity of the muscles and skin in the rear, which triggers the episode.

    One of the main symptoms is a significant twitching of the skin, which can look like rippling or rolling. Experts believe this may be caused by a muscle under the skin responding in an oversensitive way.

    Another key symptom is the sudden occurrence of intense scratching, biting and/or licking of the back, tail and rear legs. Cats may do this in response to the itching, twitching feelings they experience under the skin.

    Some cats show other symptoms during their episodes, including:

    • Intense swishing of the tail
    • Dilated pupils
    • Salivation
    • Uncontrollable urination
    • Loud and abrupt vocalizations
    • Frantic running throughout the home

    Cute little grey tabby kitten acting strange

    Cats experiencing a hyperesthesia episode might also appear agitated and erratic, acting very unlike themselves for a few minutes.

    Because of the biting or licking that often occurs during an episode, cats may experience some form of hair loss near their back and tail. However, hyperesthesia syndrome is not a life-threatening or very dangerous condition in cats. Its problems mainly lie in the potential for self-injury, including mutilation of the back legs and tail, hair loss and infection caused by the introduction of bacteria into wounds. The condition may also be somewhat distressing for cats to experience on a routine basis.

    If you notice your cat suddenly going crazy, biting or licking at their back repeatedly and seeming otherwise erratic, wait for the episode to pass. Don’t attempt to subdue the cat, or you might get injured. Contact your vet right away to make an appointment and have your cat examined.

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    What causes it?

    The true source of hyperesthesia syndrome is not well understood. Some experts think it is linked to seizure disorders, while other believe it may be a neurological disorder or a form of anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

    Despite the lack of a specific cause, however, some things are believed to trigger symptoms when cats have developed the syndrome:

    • Physical stimulation of the muscles in the back and tail
    • Nervous or hyperactive behavior
    • Environmental stressors

    Diagnosing twitch-skin syndrome can be challenging—a diagnosis is most often reached once other similar problems have been ruled out. If you see your cat beginning to scratch or twitch abruptly, it might not be hyperesthesia syndrome at all. It might actually be a more common health problem related to the skin or nervous system, such as:

    • Fleas or other skin allergies: Flea bites can cause significant itchiness on certain areas of your cat’s body that either cause or exacerbate the symptoms of hyperesthesia syndrome. If fleas aren’t present, it’s possible that other allergies are causing atopic dermatitis.
    • Seizures: Seizure disorders often cause convulsions and twitching, as well as odd or erratic behavior before the seizure. The symptoms of hyperesthesia syndrome might actually be symptoms of minor seizures that can be controlled with medication.
    • Slipped discs or pinched nerves: Problems related to the spinal cord and vertebrae, such as a pinched nerve or slipped vertebral disc, may cause sensitivity, pain or tingling in certain areas of the body. These problems may aggravate your cat and lead them to itch, lick or bite the affected area repeatedly.

    Treating hyperesthesia

    Treatments and cures for hyperesthesia syndrome can also be difficult to pinpoint. Some medications are available to suppress episodes, while behavior modification and training may work in some cats to prevent episodes entirely. Reducing stress in the home and helping your cat maintain stable behavior may also be useful in reducing the frequency of its twitch-skin symptoms.

    Young woman pets her orange tabby kitten on a large window sill overlooking the city

    Try to pinpoint things that trigger episodes in your cats, including scratching of the backside and stress. Avoid overstimulating the cat’s backside and the muscles that are hypersensitive by not scratching the rear legs, tail or lower back. Also, try to maintain stability in the home to avoid stressing your cat out.

    Cats that harm themselves by over-grooming or biting their backsides intensely during hyperesthesia episodes may need to wear an Elizabethan collar to protect themselves.

    By working with your vet and observing your cat’s behavior to identify potential triggers, you should be able to help your cat manage their condition and maintain their comfort for the rest of their life.

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    Meet Our Expert

    Dr. Janice Huntingford

    Pet Wellbeing's own Dr. Jan has been in veterinary practice for over 30 years. Since receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, she's founded two veterinary clinics and lectured extensively on pet herbal therapy, nutraceuticals, acupuncture, rehabilitation and pain management.

    Dr. Jan has studied extensively in both conventional and holistic modalities, helping us to formulate all of our supplements. She is an essential part of Pet Wellbeing.

    And lucky for us, she's only one of the great team of people who make Pet Wellbeing so special.

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