Feline Hyperesthesia?

[BluOnyx]

I stumbled on this trying to see what else could be going on with my cat. I noticed the front of his chest will twitch or pulse, hard to describe and I am not sure if this is down to purring or his heart issues. I will have to ask the vet at his next visit. Anyways, I stumbled on something called "Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome" and never heard of it before but I think he actually has this. It has happened maybe 15 or 20 times over the last 2 years. Almost always when he is getting ready to eat. He will start twitching, lick at his side and run like someone is chasing him and tickling him.

Does anyone have a cat that has this? Could it be tied to his allergies or FIV? It never lasts long. Maybe 60 seconds to a minute and a half and doesn't happen often. I looked into it to make sure it wasn't something serious after seeing a few videos. I had no idea it was even a thing until now. I would joke and call it his "tickle fits" thinking it may have just been his sensitive back hairs he doesn't like being touched.

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi, if he has allergies, it is probably from that. Feline hyperesthesia is a diagnosis of exclusion. So you have to do all the tests for everything else before you have that diagnosis It is also often overdiagnosed.

 

[fionasmom]

I did have a cat who was dxed with FHS. I can't say that your cat does not have it, but when Chelsea went into those episodes it was almost more like a seizure during which she focused on her tail, trying to kill it seemingly, eyes got big and dark and she had no idea who I was. I could not touch her and had to try to snap her out of it by touching her with a pillow or animal handling gloves.

Get videos of what your cat does and show your vet.