Your ‘psycho cat’ may be suffering from rare disorder
Have you nicknamed your feline “psycho cat” instead of calling it by its proper name because of sudden bizarre behaviors?
Your feline may be suffering from a rare disorder known as Feline Hyperesthesia (FHS). The disorder is difficult to diagnose, but there are symptoms to watch for so that you can consult with your veterinarian when they occur.
FHS is also called rolling skin disease, especially when it occurs on the hind end/rump area closest to the tail. If you scratch your feline’s back end area, do they lick their front feet, try to kick and bite you or do they just appear agitated? Any of these symptoms should cause enough concern to consult with your veterinarian.
Sometimes howling, vocalization and attacking imaginary objects are signs of the disorder. If you see your feline jumping at a wall and the wall is void of reflections from the sun or a toy, this strange behavior may be FHS.
Another odd behavior is disassociation with the animal’s own tail. Your cat may stare at its own tail and attack it. This if far from play. Often, this behavior is associated with dilated pupils. This level of behavior should be distracted to prevent the animal from injuring itself.
FHS can manifest itself in behaviors such as attacking the sides of the body, paws or stomach to the point of being a raw, open wound. These wounds are caused by excessive licking and chewing.
Cases of FHS are usually categorized as neurological, dermatologic, food or flea allergy, or simply behavioral. The possible cause must be excluded to make a diagnosis.
How should you approach a FHS problem? First, consult your animal’s behavior with your veterinarian and request a thorough exam. Next, you as the owner need to stop the conduct that triggers the behavior.
Stop scratching the rear or back and stay away from the tail altogether. Avoid over stimulation no matter how friendly your feline seems.
Lastly, drug intervention may be needed. Anti-anxiety drugs work to a point. Dosage my be initially difficult to gage. I have a feline with FHS and I am careful how I interact with her and she is on anxiety medication.
When the medication wears off, she tries to chew. She wears a medical collar to prevent the chewing. She also enjoys the company of my other felines. They keep her distracted from herself and provide amusement.
Always remember to show patience and understanding with a FHS diagnosed feline. They do not enjoy this destructive behavior and often it is uncomfortable for them.
Besides today’s Featured Feline, please inquire about the anxiety ridden felines we have at The Buddy Foundation. You might be able to provide them with that special home.
Featured Feline:
Lexi, our featured cat, has been through so much in her young life that she wanted to tell you her own story.
Hello, my name is Lexie. I was found on the streets of Mount Prospect under a car. I was the runt of the litter and always lost a fight. I was brought to The Buddy Foundation by some wonderful people, but they could not adopt me as they already had several cats, so I was still homeless.
I am a black-and-white domestic shorthair between 5 and 6 years old. I am extremely shy and somewhat afraid of people and dogs. There is a volunteer who comes and visits me every day and we just cuddle and play.
I am looking for a forever home where I can cuddle with someone in my own “easy chair.” I am also a sponsored cat. Ask about details when you come to the shelter to see me.
Ÿ The Buddy Foundation is a nonprofit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the welfare of stray, abused and abandoned cats and dogs. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit thebuddyfoundation.org.