It's called "Feline Hyperesthesia" and it's a serious, chronic condition. One of our cats suffered from it for years. Basically, the cat goes into an episode that resembles epilepsy; it will be confused and in pain, and will often attack itself to try to make the pain stop. Over time the cat can damage itself quite badly; our cat kept attacking his tail, and it was solid scar tissue.
Stress will make the episodes more frequent, and if a cat feels an episode coming on and starts panicking, this makes the episode worse. So one of the most effective treatments for this disorder is Prozac. (This disease has been known since at least Victorian cats, and at that time it was advised that "tail biters" be put to sleep; thank God for modern medicine.) On daily Prozac, our cat went from weekly episodes to monthly.
It's also important to keep the cat's skin in good condition. Treat dry skin with topical sprays, feed them fish oil pills if they need the extra help with their coat, and never let them get fleas. For some reason skin problems make the hyperesthesia worse.
In our cat's case, there was a cure. He had been attacking his tail for so long that he associated the disease with the tail. We had the tail amputated in hopes that he'd be more comfortable with the scar tissue gone - and to our surprise, the episodes stopped completely. It's been five months now, and though his skin will twitch occasionally, it doesn't become a hyperesthesia episode. We did some research, and while this doesn't work for every cat, it is the only thing that might offer a permanent cure.
· Anxiety, stress, and tension · Drooling · Convulsions · Exaggerated sensation at the bite site · Excitability · Loss of feeling in an area of the body · Loss of muscle function · Low-grade fever (102 degrees F or lower) · Muscle spasms · Numbness and tingling · Pain at the site of the bite · Restlessness · Swallowing difficulty (drinking causes spasms of the voicebox)
Muscle spasms in cats can be caused by various factors, including stress, dehydration, muscle fatigue, or underlying medical conditions such as neurological disorders or electrolyte imbalances. Injuries or pain in the muscles or joints can also lead to spasms. If your cat is experiencing frequent or severe spasms, it's important to consult a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
its playing probably but im not sure, i dont have a cat. i have dogs.
Cats may bite themselves when you scratch their back because they are overstimulated or sensitive in that area. It could also be a sign of discomfort or irritation. It's important to observe your cat's body language and behavior to understand why they may be reacting this way.
If by 'spasms' you mean foot, eye, face, etc. twitches, the cat is almost certainly dreaming. Dogs and cats evidently have vivid dreams but what we see are body twitches and movements.
yes
Yes.
Yes, cat mites can bite humans and cause skin irritation.
The cat may not want to be petted.
Not unless the dog had rabies or the bite was to a fatal spot, such as the neck. Also be aware that a dog bite to a cat can cause an internal infection. The bite may not fester or abcess on the skin, but the infection could become systemic internally. I know this as my beloved cat died this morning after being diagnosed by a veterinarian that a healed bite punctured her lung and introduced bacteria. If your cat loses weight, is not as playful, and more lethargic following a dog bite--even weeks after the fact, there may be an internal infection that is deadly without early treatment.
my cat's hips also spasm. Why?
No, a cat's bite is not poison. However, if you do receive a cat bite and the teeth have broken the skin, it is usually a good idea to visit your local doctor just to be on the safe side. Usually though, a healthy and fully vaccinated house cat is unlikely to be carrying anything dangerous to a human.