
Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS) has long been described as a rare, poorly understood condition marked by skin rippling, sudden agitation, and episodes resembling seizures. Historically approached as a dermatological or epileptic disorder, FHS has resisted clear categorization and effective treatment. This paper reframes FHS as a neurobehavioral dysregulation syndrome, integrating evidence from central sensitization, seizure disorders, stress physiology, and environmental triggers. Using Feline Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (FCBT) as an applied framework, we present diagnostic tools (clinician rubrics, caregiver observation forms, behavioral assessment questionnaires) that capture the multi-dimensional nature of FHS. Clinical cases, including cats with post-viral neuropathies, demonstrate that FHS behaviors reflect prediction-error dysregulation rather than “misbehavior.” Treatment plans emphasizing environmental stability, caregiver education, and stress reduction yield significant improvements, aligning with broader neurobehavioral models of dysautonomia and affect regulation. By positioning FHS as a model of dysregulation rather than pathology alone, we highlight its relevance to both feline welfare and comparative neuroscience. This integrative approach opens pathways for better diagnosis, management, and future translational research.
Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome Cat behavior Neurobehavioral dysregulation Central sensitization Seizure disorders Stress physiology Feline Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (FCBT) Comparative neuroscience Animal welfare, Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome Cat behavior Neurobehavioral dysregulation Central sensitization Seizure disorders Stress physiology Feline Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (FCBT) Comparative neuroscience Animal welfare
Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome Cat behavior Neurobehavioral dysregulation Central sensitization Seizure disorders Stress physiology Feline Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (FCBT) Comparative neuroscience Animal welfare, Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome Cat behavior Neurobehavioral dysregulation Central sensitization Seizure disorders Stress physiology Feline Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (FCBT) Comparative neuroscience Animal welfare
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