This is a layman's definition of Feline Hyperesthsia based on having to deal with the vets in my area not knowing what was wrong with Bacardi and me having to find out and based on living with Bacardi for 8 months as she fought against this disease.
It is a short circuit of the brain (for lack of a better word) a chemical imbalance that causes the cat to act irratically. Some of the "symptoms" are, skin rippling when you go to pet the cat, massive ripples, not little twinges. Petting past the shoulders, results in the cat striking out to bite you (because any touching of their skin hurts them, and biting is a stimulas of pain) Also the cat will be lying somewhere nice and quiet then suddenly leap straight in the air and take off running in a huge circle, gradually narrowing the circle until they collapse panting unable to get up. Then the seizures start and by that time Bacardi had seen over 5 vets and was put on anti-epileptic meds, but the combination of all the behavior drugs the vets tried on her (not knowing what was wrong with her early on) and the anti-seizure medication, caused her to have one last seizure that rendered her immobile. We released her to the angels- when she was only 5 years old.
Mary Anne gave us a little story about the Baby Skunks for Save Samoa, and I just couldn't help but "AAAWWWW!" every time I see their pictures. Check it out: Bathing Skunks 101 complete with lots of pictures of the little cuties!