Ripple dermatosis is the generic name for a disorder technically known as “feline hyperesthesia syndrome” (FHS), which is characterized by a variety of symptoms: anxiety, nervousness, and generalized agitation.
The key difference between the “normal frenzied behavior” exhibited by most young cats and happy, energetic cats and feline hyperesthesia is that, with the latter, the cat is actually in a state of neurological or central nervous system distress.
Symptoms of Rippled Skin Disease
Alert caregivers may benefit from using a calendar to record the daily or weekly frequency of each of these anxious behaviors, as each may appear “normal” if not seen frequently or one at a time.
- Brand: Ripple Skin
The skin on the lower back of the cat is markedly rippling, accompanied by the cat biting, scratching the back or tail. - Loud and persistent “worried” meowing
Cats with this syndrome may also meow loudly for no apparent reason, usually at night. - strange eye appearance
Pupils may dilate, they may stare blankly into space; eyes may appear dull. - unstable racing
Cats usually run in circles or run away, first in one direction and then in the other. - touch sensitivity
Cats with this condition may sometimes exhibit extreme sensitivity and discomfort from petting and any physical contact with the skin.
Not surprisingly, conditions with so many anxiety-like symptoms also include many causes of anxiety, from unexpected dietary or environmental toxicity to acquired allergies or hypersensitivity to compulsive habits that try to soothe themselves. Not surprisingly, this syndrome carries many other descriptive names, such as feline psychomotor epilepsy, atypical neurodermatitis, self-mutilation syndrome, and convulsive feline disease.
Possible Causes of Feline Striatal Skin Disease
It is important to rule out other potential physical causes first:
- Panseatitis (steatitis, yellow fat disease)
Panseatitis is a disease caused by excess unsaturated fatty acids and insufficient vitamin E. It’s most commonly seen in cats who regularly eat red tuna for illness, which some experts blame on a non-nutritious homemade diet. The resulting “sick fat” deposits can be very painful for cats. - brain involvement
In particular, seizures, potential brain infections, skull trauma, or tumors in FSH cats should be investigated by a veterinarian. - flea allergy
Itchy skin from flea bites may be the cause of erratic cat behavior, and this potential cause should be relatively easy to rule out by examining the skin under the fur.
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Toxic exposure to environmental or dietary heavy metals (such as arsenic or mercury-containing foods or compounds), use of toxic flea infusions, flea collars with questionable ingredients, or ingestion of household cleaners and pesticides should be excluded.
Assuming that all of the above causes can and have been ruled out, rippling skin disease is likely to be considered an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or a stress-related disorder, and with appropriate diet, environment, and conditions that can be behavioral steps.
Treating Cats with Ripple Skin Disease
FSH cats can help at home by relieving stress and providing exercise-based activities such as interactive play with a wand toy. Clicker training is a very effective and fun behavior modification method that can be used to stimulate a cat’s happy activity level and relieve his depression, as well as strengthen the cat’s bond with the guardian.
Anticonvulsant medications, such as phenobarbital, may sometimes be prescribed for FSH cats with seizures, and very low doses of mood-stabilizing medications may be prescribed to help the cat return to a “steady state.”This type of pharmacology should be used as a last resort after both the dietary environment and reward-based anxiety reduction games are in place.
Eliminating negative effects and exposures, rather than adding new ones, is always the first step, but one must also consider what to add within the necessary nutritional resources: minerals, vitamins, oils, and other nutritional needs to rebalance good nutrition for our cats The health of animal companions.
Although the nervous system chemistry of cats with rippling skin disease may never be fully “cured” with medication, you can work with a feline nutritionist or feline behaviorist to help kittens become happier, Be more comfortable and help alleviate your own concerns and highlight how to help your cat reverse the situation.
If you suspect your pet is sick, call your veterinarian right away. For health-related questions, be sure to consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know your pet’s health history, and can give your pet the best advice.
