Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome hard to diagnose

Watching feline erratic play can be a real thrill sometimes. At other times, not so much.

Let me explain where I am going here: I am attempting to differentiate between a normal feline - one that chases things that go bump in the night - and a crazy feline. In other words, we are not talking about unexplainable, moody, feline behavior.

We all know our felines turn us off and on like a switch of attitude. We accept that as feline mystery, and we mostly enjoy it. There is a world of feline behavior labeled "Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome." The reactions a feline with this disorder are beyond the attitude.

The syndrome is often difficult to diagnose because multiple symptoms may be displayed. A feline may demonstrate excessive licking, one of the symptoms, but may be misdiagnosed with an allergy or a reaction to a stressful situation. Normally, the condition will present multiple symptoms that may appear unexplained.

Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome is also known as rolling skin disease. This term might help us understand better what is going on with a feline that is suffering from the symptoms.

Excessively touching a feline with the problem on the back or the base of the tail can cause a very negative reaction. This touching can cause the feline to lash out.

The skin feels like it is rolling on them. Perhaps, it is not unlike how we feel when we witness something creepy. The feline may also attack its own tail after stalking it. This behavior is much different from the feline that chases its tail in play. The conduct here will not look like play. This behavior may also be accompanied by dilated pupils.

Other signs of the condition may be excessive vocalization, howling, mood swings and chasing imaginary things. The symptoms can be easy to treat when these felines are not hurting themselves or us.

To explain this in a nutshell, the causes seem to fall into three categories - dermatologic, neurotic or behavioral. The easiest solution; don't pet the animal in the area that causes the aggression. That may mean you avoid petting the back, rear and area by the tail.

Skin allergies can also cause the behavior. These can be external or internal. Internal problems may be solved by a food change. Externally, the feline may have an environmental allergy.

FHS, in its most extreme, may respond to anti-anxiety medications. Time and patience will reveal the effective drug and dosage. Patience and understanding are key tools in dealing with a feline with FHS.

Felines that suffer from this problem are unhappy with their ill behavior. They are not willingly displeasing us. They can't help their conduct. These felines need an extra measure of love, which is why Buddy would like to introduce us to our next "Cool Cat," Bobbie.

In addition to our "featured felines," we will share "Cool Cats" with you from month to month, or as situations present. As previously mentioned, Buddy will pay the adoption fee on these felines.

Bobbie looks cool for a multitude of reasons. She is a tabby-tortise (torby) with a bob tail. Though she is small in stature, she really does have the look of an American bob-cat kitten.

She displays some of the symptoms of hyperesthesia, in that she is extremely vocal, sometimes not appropriate for the situation. A shelter setting may also not be giving Bobbie a fair shake. I believe her vocalization may not be as pronounced in a feline-only household, or perhaps only one other family pet.

Her vocalization seems to intensify when other felines pass by her living space. She is currently on phenobarbital to lessen the symptoms. She is a feline that may blossom outside the shelter, as she responds better to certain volunteers. Perhaps Bobbie just wants to pick her own human. Call her choosy.

Featured felines:

• Beba is a female calico that was raised from a kitten by the family that gave her up. The family was moving out of state, so they decided that Beba had to go. Fortunately, she came to us. Beba is still a little bewildered by what has happened. The environment she grew up in is gone, and she is surrounded by strange cats and people. She is friendly and is adapting, but is a little reluctant to explore when given the opportunity. She really needs a nice, quiet, loving family and a new forever home.

• Mija is a small white and gray female tabby. Mija came to Buddy with another cat that was smuggled home by a family's daughter. When the landlord found out about the cats, the family was told they would be evicted if the cats didn't go. Mija's co-conspirator has been adopted, and now, Mija is looking for a forever home. She started out a little shy, but now she comes out to get attention, to eat treats and to play.

Rummage sale update: We are still looking at locations. We would like to plan for an August event. Keep looking for updates here and on our webpage, www.thebuddyfoundation.org.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter. For information, call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.