Cat snapping?

[MA]

This just came to my attention- anyone have a clue? Not my cat Traci!


My cat, Alfredo, is snapping at the air, racing around, and frantically licking himself in various places. 4 weeks ago another cat bit him fiercely at the base of his tail. I was wondering if this is a deep healing itch. Or is it my poltergeist? About 14 years ago I was going through a terrible time and one of my cats starting doing this. I took her to vets to no avail. After a couple months it just stopped. Has anyone had experience with this? I took him to the vet for an overview and gave him an injection of ketoprophan (pain killer). It didn’t do much. The vet is stumped. He shivered a lot while he was there and was totally miserable.


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[Traci]

Possibilities: seizure activity (as a result of exposure to toxin, organ failure, viral infection)....flea allergy dermatitis or insect bite (spider, scorpion, tick, rule out snakebite as well)....hyperesthesia (usually idiopathic and mild, this case might fit, but a quick neurological exam might rule this out) ...pain, as in, caused by bite wound, internal injury or any other internal health illness.

Have the owner try to videotape the episodes, take to vet for review and opt for a full neurological exam (rule out toxins with serum kidney profile, examine closely the tail area for abcesses, deep punctures, and opt for x-rays to rule out internal illness--organ disfunction, bone problems, etc)

Would like an update on this one, MA, if you can....I strongly suggest a second opinion.

[MA]

Traci here is the update: Probably not what you wanted to hear though:

I gave him a half of a benadryl and it gave him a break. The next day he was much better and now I don’t think he’s doing it at all. I am quite sure it was a reaction to my own stress. I did some work on myself so I don’t know if he’s better because I’m better or because of the benadryl. When I have some time I want to look into hyperesthesia, which I heard is treated with vitamin B – which is also good for stress. One of my former cats went through this and it was during the worst time in my life. As I got better, her symptoms went away. At the time I took her to several vets and had blood work done, all to no avail."

[Traci]

Um, kitty was never taken to the vet? SIGH!!! And who told her to give benedryl???

Still strongly suggest kitty is seen (a new vet probably would help). And no treating on her own with vitamin B (or benedryl) please, this is totally anecdotal, and probably will not target the true problem, could actually cause more harm than good.

[Mona]

My Honeybun suffers from Hyperesthesia.

She is 5 years old and it seems to have gotten better all of a sudden.

I recently bought a shed and blade and have been using it on her. It could be that she is not itching because this tool takes all the dead fur and skin away. Her coat is shiny and soft etc. Just a thought.

I hope it gets better for you.

Mona, HOneybun and Little Chloe