My Cat's Strange Symptoms (Inflamatory Bowel Disease)

[missmabel]

I finally compiled all the diet-related info I could find here mabeltalk(dot)com/p/hyperesthe­sia-fhs(dot)html cause this mystery is driving me nuts! I am not a vet!! Just annoyed by this condition that's making so many kitties sad.

[ducrozet74]

my cat used to do this, the vet could never figure out what was wrong with him, when he had these episodes he wanted me to pet him and put my head on him and hold him and talk to him softly but he would behave just like this, almost like he had intestinal problems and was in pain....i never did figure out what it was

[gsdsl]

Hahahaha wow thats the coolest cat ive ever seen.i know it huts to see your pet like that but i think its kind of neat and I personally think the cat might be possessed wtih a name like Dracula hahahahaha.

[lesliegg1961]

he could be in pain from Crohns disease, I have it and I act like this after I eat,

[rilkeanhearts]

Thank you for posting this. This is very similar to my cat's behavior and I was googling her symptoms ("cat growling at tail") and came up with some FHS links. Your video helped me conclude that this is most likely what her issue is. Thank you!

[Iamapers0n2]

@slingblade345 yeah, some people are idiots.

[BORNTOWELSH]

I feel sorry for this cat. I think he sensing something like a spirits, as you can see that he hissing, growling and turning. It like something poking at him, that can trigger it off. He also trying to catch it. That can happen with dogs. Pets can see things that human can't. 

[iJesseTheHott94]

what is basically wrong with this cat he acts like my cat when i play with her tail? is it like some type of sickness

[eray232]

devils are touching da cat!

[darklight151]

Dear cat lover,

I really feel for you and the poor kitty. Is the animal in any pain? I don't know if I would let either of my kitties live like this ,it just not seem natural.

I think I would put my animal out of there suffering, very sad but true. It would leave a hole in my heart to do so but the suffering would be over, the cat would for ever rest in peace. I,m so sorry for you and your little kitty. God Bless

[slingblade345]

@darklight151 Christian cat people are weird with their obsessiveness about putting their cats to death. Jesus christ.

[iowanative]

Gosh...I have a cat that I have suspected has hyperesthesia for quite some time now. It's very sad for me to watch your kitty. Doc put my cat on Prozac. Works pretty well. When he has been without ot for some time, he bites his tail, hisses, growls, and attacks our other cats. It's just awful.

[UniQueLyEviL]

Interesting! I *KNEW* there was something wrong with my friend's cat. She would tell me he was just mean, or having nightmares when he'd be hissing and growling, but I told her that it was direcly related to his tail. And seemed to lack control of it or be incredibly annoyed with it at times. I'd nevr seen a cat hiss and growl and bite its tail like that! Thank you for posting this and confirming my suspicions. I'll talk to her about it tomorrow.

[EmoGirl09087]

feline torretts syndrom... XD

[AnnaTykes]

Unfortunately I'm starting to think that my cat has this same disorder. :\

[PlumSmuggler69]

can i have some of his phenobarbitol???

[djstartheartist]

My kid, jr, who I just posted, has a diagnosis of Feline Hyper Thyroid. The talking and wandering at night are part of it, and although he has been doing this since a kitten - MILDLY - every summer I occasionally wake up with the exorcist going on under my bed. One very odd thing HAS happened. I have a very dry throat and I started using a humidifier! Whether I am sleeping better or he is benefiting, it seems to be mellowing him out a bit. We will hope his surgery later helps.

[jaflores85]

While your cat was like that, did he only do that when you approached him or were close by?

[PBottomPoochies]

Paisley has had the EXACT same thing! was diagnosed by a "Pet behaviorist" (at $100 per hour to watch my cat in her own home) and was prescribed some variations of kitty prosac which didn't seem to work. I gave up! But it would be nice to be steered in a better direction for her! If something worked I'd suffer through doing the whole pill-the-cat thing!

[chillchik101]

i have a question. does this happen everyday at the same time? if it does then u could be dealing with a residual haunting in ur home. only dealing with your cat.

[jasfrogger]

My cat was diagnosed about a year ago with the same problem. I also had to video it for the vet because the symtoms totally disappeared when I took her to get checked. She is on Kitty Prozac and it worked perfectly. I would worry about the phenibarbitol --that is strong stuff. Thanks for the video!! It makes me feel good to know that I am not alone.

[redvixen99]

It looks like he's been tormented by something that humans can't normally see. Don't know if you believe in the supernatural, but do you have any other pets at this house and if so, do they act this way as well?

[chillchik101]

i would agree with you on that. it does seem like it is growling and hissing at something that isnt there.

[piefrance]

One of the clinical signs associated with FHS, redvixen, is "seeing ghosts". It's one of the more common things cat owners will say.

[TehKitteh01]

Aww, poory thing. I think my cat has the same thing, except he isn't showing any signs of aggression. No hissing or growling. Just the twitches, licking and running around...and staring at nothing.

[djstartheartist]

I just heard that high blood pressure in cats can lead to blindness. I hope you took her to a vet.

[AustinBrock]

Maybe you should change the title of the video to "Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome Symptoms" :). Glad to hear the cat is well.

[roesdv1]

Kirk - thanks for your reply. I'm glad to hear that Dracula is doing well on his medication. The behaviorist isn't sure that Puka has FHS but that he does have an anxiety disorder. We're going to try behavior modification and herbal remedies (Puka has GI issues) to see if it helps. I will keep the meds you mentioned in mind, though, in case we need them. Thanks for posting the videos and sharing Dracula's story. I hope he continues to do well!

[roesdv1]

Kirk - I think my cat has the same problem. I have a phone behavioral consult on Tuesday. Did Dracula ever attack you? My cat, Puka, has attacked me twice and has acted aggressively toward me several other times. Often, he seems normal and affectionate, but is like a Jeryll and Hyde. Sometimes he hides and seems scared, but he can switch on a dime and seem much like your cat. Thanks for posting the video.

Debbie

[kirkbross]

He never attacked me unprovoked, but if I tried to pick him up while he was in one of these "states" he would not like it. He wouldn't be aggressive, just irritated. I could pet him and would let me. All other times he was totally normal - petable, pick-upable, etc.

He was eventually diagnosed with FHS and prescribed Tramadol (12.5 mg) and Phenobarbital (15 mg). The Tramadol makes him hyper -- almost like he's uncomfortable, so I lowered it to about 8 mg by cutting the [50mg] pills even more.

[vivelecorn]

DUDE! Thanks for posting this video! I finally figured out what is wrong with my cat now!

My cat (Blackie) has been experiencing the same symptoms presented in the video, only her outbursts happen rarely... like every two-three months. She does suffer from Epilepsy (leading to seizures) and I just researched that is linked to FHD.

Thanks again for the video.

[LeonsMomHerbsWife]

Scary . . . he seems possessed! I'm so glad the medication helped. I'd be feeling so sorry for my cat!

[ilovebobthecat]

poor baby, I hope he'll be ok. My cat is constipated and I am looking for an enema vid. Damn, what an exciting life I have.

[darksungames]

Man that's rough... good luck to you & Dracula

[MINICLIPGAMER]

did you ever think there might be a ghost in your house? if so, call 1800 GHOSTBASTAZ

[xxnorcalchickxx]

I feel so bad for your cat and his tail is always flicking around when he's upset and he always looks mad that he's uncomfortable and like what are you guys doing about it look :[. I hope he gets better soon! And whenever he moves around he doesn't do that so much so maybe it is his intestines.

[kirkbross]

He's been on meds for almost a year and has been fine... we haven't tried to take him off yet, but probably will at some point. The three vets who saw Dracula were all scratching their heads -- I thought this video (which they all viewed) would make the vets go, "oh yeah... your cat has "such and such" but it seemed only to confirm FHS. I think diagnosing a cat with FHS makes vets feel as understandably helpless as the pet's owner(s).

[xxnorcalchickxx]

have you noticed right before your cat has a seizure he makes this THAK sound? Also, what type of cat is this? The breed's history of health issues might help you find the origin to this problem and yes, your cat looks like he's in real pain and the intestine hunch is wonderful and getting an MRI is a smart idea.

[adultyt]

maybe hes just nervous about something or doesnt get enough sleep or maybe he has nightmares and it scares him. i dunno. the intestine idea of yours is pretty smart and i think that might be it. but ya never know. :P

[Dibakiso]

At least she hasn't done any of the scary hissing and howling since she's started taking the meds. She's finishing her course within the next week or so, so we'll see if the symptoms come back. I've read reports of cats who were cured after having been on antidepressants for a month, but some apparently have to stay on them forever. Our vet was relatively uncommunicative (I had to research the symptoms independently), but she did say that this is not uncommon in cats. Hope Dracula is cured now..

[kirkbross]

He's been on meds for almost a year and has been fine... we haven't tried to take him off yet, but probably will at some point. The three vets who saw Dracula were all scratching their heads -- I thought this video (which they all viewed) would make the vets go, "oh yeah... your cat has "such and such" but it seemed only to confirm FHS. I think diagnosing a cat with FHS makes vets feel as understandably helpless as the pet's owner(s).

[Dibakiso]

Like Dracula, our cat was put on medication - a version of prozac - and she's been fine since, though she does seem drugged up at night and seems to have gained some weight. I was really hesitant to put her on this medication, but in the end we relented, b/c it seemed to be the only option (we tried many of the more natural therapies, such as playing with her and distracting her whenever the attacks started, but they didn't end up making that much of a difference). (continued)

[Dibakiso]

My cat experienced exactly the same symptoms, except she would also chase herself around the house, and howl and hiss hysterically whenever one of these attackes started - it was if her tail was chasing/ attacking her. And then she'd come and sit next to us as if we could somehow protect her. I think she was having hallucinations. It was quite sad, since she was clearly in great distress. I ended up doing a lot of research and concluding that it was feline hyperesthesia syndrome. (continued)

[omgeeitzrainie]

Maybe a pinched nerve by his tail.

[omgeeitzrainie]

I think its his tail. it seems every time he tries to raise it it hurts him. have you found out the cause?

[ratsgoth]

O.o-I don´t think,that it is something with his brain-Something is in his back-Either parasites or something with his nerve-It´s difficult...

[ratsgoth]

rabies?

[kirkbross]

Not rabies... several specialists think it's Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome and he's been on Phenobarbital and Tramadol since April. No more symptoms and no adverse side effect.

However, I'm still not totally convinced because any cat -- or person for that matter -- would seem content when drugged up on sedatives (Pheno) and pain killers (Tramadol). The next step would be to MRI his spine and brain and I don't have $2,000 for that right now.

[SOFIAgandako]

Doesnt look the same as other cats with the syndrome... maybe you should have him checked to see if there's something else the matter with him.

[curesleeparalysis]

poor kitty looks in pain... i think it jumps up suddenly when da pain hits... then groans from da discomfort... at one point it had to lie down... could be dizzy or nausiated from da pain... seems to be located in da rear part of its body... that's no seizure tho

[kirkbross]

He was eventually diagnosed with Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome and put on Phenobarbitol and Tramadol -- he has been 100% symptom free ever since which is amazing.

[boozekitten23]

i dont know wat is wrong wuth your cat but its not sezuires cause my cat is epleptic and he used to have sezuires but hes on medication . but thats not a sezuire my cat used be like that after his sezuires .

[kirkbross]

He was eventually diagnosed with Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome.

[billiejean1977]

I know this may sound ridiculous but do you think he may hear or see something that isn't there, like a person might if they're hallucinating from a mental condition? Just a thought.

[SKGTSAZ]

that's what i thought but i was a bit hesitant to write it till i saw your post!!

[tanhalt]

My 15 yr old siamese cat does this same thing! My vet said it was not seizures when I showed her my video tape. Yesterday, I saw his left paw shaking too-new symptom. Did you ever find out what is wrong with Dracula?

[Kivstev]

I had a cat that acted this way because she was in so much pain from blocked bowels. I'm not saying your cat has a bowel problem, but your cat is in pain. Go to the vet.

[boboryu]

It has to be paranormal things like ghost attacking a cat.

[NenehShagg]

Let me guess; the cat is being fed dry kibble food or canned. Cats are obligate carnivores and need to eat raw meat, bones and organs to survive. Seems to me like his tummy is upset! And vets don't know anything about animal nutrition as those classes in college are being sponsored by IAMS or Science Diet.

[kirkbross]

Well... that's what I thought too. I tried an all-wet food diet and that didn't help. After two specialists, both seem to think it's Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome. He's currently on Phenobarbitol and Tramadol which has completely eliminated the symptoms 100% -- although I'm naturally concerned that this is because he is essentially "high". For now, I'm going to follow the recommendations of my gDVM and finish the prescription. Later, I'll try to remove one of the drugs and see how he does.

[kirkbross]

Well... that's what I thought too. I tried an all-wet food diet and that didn't help. After two specialists, both seem to think it's Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome. He's currently on Phenobarbitol and Tramadol which has completely eliminated the symptoms 100% -- although I'm naturally concerned that this is because he is essentially "high". For now, I'm going to follow the recommendations of my gDVM and finish the prescription. Later, I'll try to remove one of the drugs and see how he does.

[Mirshokrai]

Hi, I have a cat that we adopted about a year ago from a shelter. He was having issues similar(although not as vocal) as your cat. We took him to a neurologist and he is on gabanpetin and tramadol at the moment - -and it seems to control the problem. Gabapentin is anti-seizure drug, but also has pain relieving impact on cats. It might be worth a try.

[areeb10000]

i think their be something wrong with his back

[blackblood11789]

maybe it has a bug in its butt haha

[SpeedyNY]

Why is there always some noise in the background when he has a fit? There is a banging sound, there is the typing on the keyboard, I think I heard the dryer in one of them, you have your microwave in another, but the banging or slapping sound is the most suspicious.

[kirkbross]

The background noise is just the ambient apartment noise. The little camera microphone has compression built-in so it amplifies background noise dramatically. And yes, a couple of times I'm sitting next to him (2:35, 4:35) typing on the computer... and I'm probably using the microwave in one of them, but no dryer -- that's the computer fans.

[SpeedyNY]

There is a distinct banging or slapping sound at 28, 30, 55, seconds into the video. These are only a few. What are they?

[LittleNikki12]

Do you think perhaps his tail might be broken. I notice when he moves it he seems to get quite upset. He also seems very uncomfortable.

[sagitarious220848]

ur cat ether sees a ghost or is hurt

[sagitarious220848]

ur cat ether sees a ghost or is hurt

[vulturedoors]

I can envision severe abdominal pain causing this sort of response. Gut pain in humans can come on suddenly, with a sharp, lancing pain (hence the jolting and the cat jumping to its feet). Other times it's an intense, nonlocalized discomfort that changing position doesn't help much. Your cat seems to be reacting to something happening in its gut, or in the rear part of its body. Nonspecific location, and the cat isn't smart enough to really understand what's going on.

[sztheday2006]

Check out Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome. I'll send a message with several links for info but my cat exhibits almost the exact same symptoms and after ruling out everything else we're investigating it further with our vet.

[AudioStar7]

your cat has pain n his lower extremites. You need to go to the vet because he doesnt understand that its inside of him. He may have a hernia or megacolon or be constipated

[oceanjunkies05]

your cat sees a ghost