貓咪有很多獨特的特點會造成一些特別的健康問題, 其中最奇怪的是“Ripple Skin Syndrome”或稱做“Itchy Twitchy syndrome” (基本上我們稱做“貓強迫症-feline hyperesthesia”)

Cats have many unique characteristics that make for some interesting health challenges, but one of the strangest is “Ripple Skin Syndrome,” or “Itchy Twitchy syndrome” (technically called “feline hyperesthesia”). 

症狀一開始會有背部(從肩膀至尾巴)的皮膚抖動; 貓咪會轉身並舔或咬那個區域; 而大部分的貓咪會跑來跑去,就像有東西嚇著他或是正在弄痛他.

This condition starts as a rippling of the cat’s skin on its back, from the shoulders to the tail; the cat may turn and lick or bite at the area; and most cats will run away as if something frightened or hurt them.

我們仍不知道造成這個問題的原因. 第一個要屏除的是跳蚤問題; 在對跳蚤過敏的貓咪,只要跳蚤咬一口就會造成嚴重且長期的搔癢. 跳蚤過敏性皮膚炎會造成貓咪去抓舔, 尤其是尾巴的尖端及基部, 有可能會造成局部嚴重脫毛.

The jury is still out on exactly what causes this problem. The first thing to rule out is a flea problem; in a flea-allergic cat, just one flea bite may cause severe and long-lasting itchiness. Flea-allergic dermatitis may cause the cat to lick and scratch, especially around the hind end and base of the tail, even to the point of serious hair loss (alopecia).

乾燥或搔癢的皮膚會是這個問題的成因之一. 在貓咪的食物中添加必須脂肪酸,或是低敏飲食會是解決這些問題的關鍵.

Dry or itchy skin may appear similar or be a contributing factor to the problem. Adding essential fatty acids to your cat’s food, or trying a hypoallergenic diet, could be the keys to resolving the issue.

在真正的強迫症中,很多例子都會有癲癇發生,而用防抽蓄的藥物治療. 

True hyperesthesia, in many cases, appears to be a form of seizure disorder that may respond to anti-convulsive medications. 

也有可能造成行為上的強迫症,對這些貓咪來說,減輕壓力(如 遊戲,室內擺設及花朵精油)會有幫助.

It may also fall somewhere on the behavioral obsessive-compulsive spectrum; for these cats, stress reduction measures such as play therapy, indoor enrichment, and flower essences may be helpful.