I noticed it twice last week in the morning just before giving them breakfast.
Cow suddenly flipped onto his back and started biting the middle of his back. It happened twice in a few minutes.
When I saw it, it immediately reminded me of Tiger’s hyperesthesia way back in 2016. Here’s some information on this rather lesser-known and mysterious disease: https://animalcare.my/2016/08/05/tiger-and-feline-hyperesthesia-syndrome-fhs/
From whatever I had found out way back for Tiger last time, I’m relying on the same information again now.
Two reliable links on this little-known and rather mysterious illness:
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/Health_Information/HyperesthesiaSyndrome.cfm
http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/skin/c_ct_feline_hyperesthesia_syndrome
There is even a Facebook page dedicated to this illness.
Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome
This is a rare syndrome and the exact cause is not known. It may develop due to an underlying behavioral problem, a seizure disorder, or other neurotic problem. Nervous or hyperactive cats are believed to be at greater risk. Environmental stress may also trigger the syndrome.
It is speculated there may be multiple factors contributing to the symptoms associated with FHS.
Recommended treatment for a cat that is diagnosed with hyperesthesia syndrome is likely to include a behavioral component aimed toward reducing any anxiety that the animal might be experiencing. Regularly scheduled feeding times and play periods, for example, may help keep an insecure cat relaxed and well exercised. And any type of physical activity that may irritate or overstimulate the cat—such as scratching its back—must certainly be avoided. For some patients, a veterinarian may prescribe a serotonin-enhancing drug—amitryptyline or fluoxetine, for example—to stabilize a cat’s mood; an anti-seizure drug, such as phenobarbital; an anti-inflammatory medication, such as prednisolone; or a combination of drugs. Gabapentin, a drug with both analgesic and anti-seizure properties, is a recent addition to the arsenal of drugs potentially useful for treating hyperesthesia syndrome.
Overall, says Dr. de Lahunta, “Hyperesthesia is a relatively mild condition. I’m not aware that a cat has ever died from it. Once it has established itself, it doesn’t progress very much, and the prognosis is pretty good as long as the scratching doesn’t result in a serious infection.”
Some cats have seizures (like Tiger) and some don’t. I did not think Cow threw a seizure, based on what I saw. But today, I just witnessed it again. He was lying on the pillow and then all of a sudden, he turned to bite his back and this time, urine sprayed out. Then I remember that every day for about a week now, I have noticed urine sprays on the floor in the room in random places and these are not the usual places where Bunny or Indy would spray.
My untrained mind thinks it is hyperesthesia, because the symptoms are similar. I have consulted the vet through text and am awaiting her response.
Initially, Tiger was prescribed Prochloroperazine, a drug for motion sickness without much side effects. It helped for many weeks, and then the seizures came back. We never did resort to anti-seizure drugs (barbiturates). Also, that drug was unavailable at that time.
Tiger’s seizures increased as the disease progressed and finally he passed away due to sepsis because he would bite his back violently during each episode, then I would nurse the wounds. Sometimes, the wounds caused fistulas (tunnels) and abscesses inside and I would have to flush the wounds to help it heal. This continued until one day, I did not know one such fistula was still there despite the superficial healing (of the wound). That led to sepsis internally. All in, Tiger’s condition lasted more than two years. It was extremely challenging.
Is Cow’s condition also hyperesthesia? I am waiting for the vet’s response. If it is, we will manage it as best we can. One comforting point is that for some cats, it might remain a mild condition. I’d just have to check carefully that his biting does not lead to infection (as per the paragraph in bold above).
Based on what I’ve observed and the daily urine sprays on the floor, I think there has been at least one episode a day so far.
We will deal with this together, Cow. You are not alone.