Hyperesthesia Syndrome

Hello-

We just adopted a kitty and he has a syndrome called Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome. Some say it is genetic, others say it is caused by the Rabies vaccine and/or topical flea products. The shelter where we got him had given him both in the last month.

He is a smart kitty, and loves to play. He is fast and seems full of energy. He is always on the move, a bit restless, and moves quickly (often jogs, not walks to where he wants to go). He is social and follows me and my husband around and likes to be in the same room with us.

He is thin, not overweight at all, and he tends towards constipation. He goes poop most days, but it is hard, dry, and comes out in 8-10 small chunks. Sometimes it sticks to his bottom and he scoots to get it off.

His symptoms that relate to Feline Hyperesthesia are:

Dilated pupils

Hard twitching of the tail

Appears to be annoyed with the tail – sometimes trying to bite the tail or bite the hind end near the tail – like something is there he is trying to get off of him – a phantom nerve pain?

Behavior may change from loving to irritable – too much petting or grooming can set him off – and he can nip (bite) us pretty good if the hyperesthesia gets triggered

Sensitive to touch around the tail

Dashing off madly and aimlessly around the house or yard – like something is on him and he is trying to get it off - this is not playful, it is very irritable

Rippling or shivering skin on the back just above the tail

Lots of twitching of limbs

Sensitive to noise

Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome is a type of seizure disorder, although our little guy hasn’t had any full on seizures.

When we first got him, we started him on Thuya 30c for his twitching, irritability, restlessness, and constipation, which we assumed was from all the vaccines the shelter gave him. We did not know he had this disorder at that time.

We did see some results with the Thuya 30c – calmer, less twitching – so we gave him a second dose of Thuja 30c a week later (two days ago). The symptoms flare slightly the same day, and then he starts to get calmer.

We haven’t had him long enough to know yet, but there may be a correlation with rainy weather. Both times we have seen the behaviors when the weather was changing from sunny to rainy.

I am writing to ask for suggestions with regard to remedies for this disorder and with suggestions for his constitutional type. I am really struggling with how to translate the remedy descriptions for people to animals, so any advice and help is appreciated.

I’m considering staying with Thuya, Belladonna, Lachesis (for biting above the tail), Phosphorus, Silicea. Any others? Can someone help?

I am really hoping to help this little guy live a comfortable and healthy life.

Thank you kindly.