Rolling Skin Disease for Cats

Rolling skin disease is the common name for feline hyperesthesia, a condition that can have both physical and mental consequences for your cat. While the exact causes are unknown, the effects are well-documented, and learning more about this issue is something that can help you understand your cat and what it is going through.

  1. Features

    • Skin that ripples or seems to roll when a cat is agitated gives this condition its name, but it is not the only symptom. Cats that are afflicted with feline hyperesthesia are prone to suddenly manic behavior, where they will run from room to room, vocalize loudly and become extremely sensitive to touch. These cats are also prone to sudden mood swings and may groom themselves excessively. Without treatment, these symptoms can progress to seizures, and they may happen every day.

    Identification

    • A positive diagnosis of feline hyperesthesia can only be made after other illness are ruled out. Diabetes, parasites, infection and poisoning can all lead to behavior that resembles feline hyperesthesia. When those issues are discounted, treatment for this disorder can begin.

    Onset

    • This is a condition that most commonly affects cats between one and four years of age. The change can be sudden and startling to owners who had been living with relatively placid animals. Oriental breeds, like the Siamese cat, seem to be especially prone to rolling skin disease.

    Theories/Speculation

    • There is no identified cause for feline hyperesthesia, but there are several theories that might explain it. One theory states that abnormal electrical activity in the brain is responsible for the strange behavior and hypersensitivity, while another theory points to lesions in muscles along the spine. PetPlace.com suggests that stress and obsessive-compulsive disorder might play a role.

    Prevention/Solution

    • There are many different treatments recommended for rolling skin disorder. Preemptive care can involve reducing conditions that give your cat stress, giving them plenty of exercise and stimulation and feeding them a high-quality diet. Anti-depressants like fluxetine and clomipramine can be used to calm a cat who experiences feline hyperesthesia, and anti-convulsant drugs like phenobarbital can be used to prevent seizures.