Symptoms of FHS:

	Dilated pupils
	Twitching of the tail
	Appearing to be annoyed with the tail
	Biting at the tip of the tail, sometimes to the point of mutilation
	Behavior may change from loving, to scared and depressed
	Sensitive to touch around the tail
	Staring into space
	Persistent, loud meowing
	Dashing off madly and aimlessly around the house or yard
	Rippling skin on the back just above the tail

These symptoms are not always triggered by unpleasant events, but can occur while you are petting your cat loving, or when touching your cat near the tail.

It is difficult to make conclusions as to why this disorder occurs, but it is believed by some that over-vaccinating, low quality diets, preservatives and chemicals may be leading to this problem.

Prevention Plan For Treating Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome

A prevention plan is a simple method of enhancing the level of nutrition and making lifestyle changes.  It is an attempt to address any special needs your pet may have and promote a healthy lifestyle.  

Rule out other health problems
Rule out other health problems such as Thyroid, Diabetes, Cancer, Liver or Kidney disease.  A health problem may be triggering these episodes.  

Promote a healthy lifestyle
Poor nutrition is a direct cause of many major and minor diseases.  Therefore, a commitment to optimum health and longevity for your pet must include a high quality diet.

Research has shown that a low quality diet -- meaning a diet loaded with chemicals, fillers, stabilizers, coloring agents, sodium nitrate (found to produce epileptic-like changes in the brain activity of rats who ate it regularly) and by-products -- can lead to allergies, nervousness, hypertension, diabetes, weight problems, dry skin, and many other common ailments.

A homemade diet is recommended, as this is the best you can do for your pet.  If you are interested in recipes, please email our pet nutritionist.  Home cooking does not fit into everyone's lifestyle and if this is the case, it is essential to choose a high quality dry or canned food.

Because of what goes into pet foods today and what does not, it is important to know how to read labels, and know the history of the company manufacturing the pet food.  Purely Pets has done extensive research on many of the pet food companies and we recommend Felidae Dry/Canned Cat Food and Azmira Pet Foods.  These products use high quality ingredients -- healthy ingredients that are useful to your pet's body.

Structure meal times
Some pets suffer from hypoglycemia, which is a medical term meaning low blood sugar. The causes of hypoglycemia are overproduction of insulin, excessive exercise, heredity, or an inadequate diet. Some symptoms of hypoglycemia are very similar to Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome.

Symptoms of a hypoglycemic attack are:

	Staggering, collapse or dashing around
	Weakness
	Aggression
	Moodiness
	Glassy eyes, dilated pupils
	Seizure

Because the symptoms of hypoglycemia and FHS tend to be similar, feeding structured meals is suggested. When you feed one meal a day, your pet's body produces insulin. High levels of insulin cause low levels of fat burning and high levels of fat storing, the reverse of what you may think. When insulin is not stable in the body, it throws the hormones and brain chemicals out of whack and the body starts storing fat to save itself. 

Therefore, it is extremely important to feed 3~4 times a day. When you feed several small meals a day, the body burns fat more effectively, and speeds up the metabolism so your pet can burn more calories.

Recommended feeding schedule:

Breakfast:
A high quality pet food or homemade food.

Lunch:
A high quality pet food or homemade food.

Dinner:
A high quality pet food or homemade food.

Before bed:
Snack.

Snack Suggestions:
Hard Boiled egg
Scrambled egg
Cottage cheese
Plain yogurt
Homemade meatball
Chicken

Supplement Recommendations
If your pet is on medication to control FHS, Purely Pets does not recommend discontinuing traditional medications cold turkey or discontinuing them at all.  This is your decision based on how the following program works.  We highly recommend you work closely with your veterinarian.

Azmira detoxifier
Information has been hinting that FHS may be due to over-vaccinating or excessive use of chemicals used to control fleas and ticks.  Because cats are much more sensitive to vaccines and chemicals than dogs are, they can suffer more serious side effects. Azmira detoxifier is a homeopathic remedy  highly recommended for detoxification.

Nupro
Nupro is an all-natural pet supplement. It is a balanced formula that is high in protein, vitamins, minerals and digestive enzymes. It is helpful in promoting hair growth; controlling itchy, dry, flaky skin; repelling fleas and ticks; building energy and blood; stabilizing nerves for better disposition and alertness; arthritic conditions; allergies; improving appetite; burning fat;  digestion and relieving gas. 

Calm & Relax
Calm & Relax is excellent in restoring proper nervous system balance. Works as a daily tonic for highly stressed pets.

Factors That May Contribute to a Toxic Overload
Hair spray -- do not spray when pet is in the same room.
Cigarette smoke
Pollution from chemical plants
BHA -- a preservative commonly used in pet food.
BHT -- a preservative commonly used in pet food.
Sodium nitrate -- proven in research studies to cause severe seizures. Sodium nitrate is found in MANY things we eat. Read the ingredient labels carefully.
Carpet powders
Air fresheners -- any type
Salt, Ferrous sulfate, Copper sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Monosodium glutamate in excess
Sugar -- sucrose, corn syrup, molasses, cane sugar.
Low quality commercial treats
Low quality dry food
Low quality canned food
Plastic bowls -- These bowls have been implicated as a health concern because the plastic may leach into the food. All plastics release some undetectable fumes, especially when heated. This out gassing means the fumes can pass into the foods that are served or stored in the bowl or container. Stainless steel or glass bowls are recommended.
Cheap ceramic dishes -- same concern as above.
Fumes from all bathroom cleaners
Fumes from bleach
Fumes from dusting products.
Household cleaners - household cleaners contain a chemical called formaldehyde (also known as embalming solution), which could cause severe irritation to pet's eyes, throat and skin? Some floor polishes contain chemicals that can cause cancer as well as damage to the heart, kidneys, liver and central nervous system.
All toxic flea products -- If the product states on the label, "Hazardous To Humans And Domestic Animals", it is hazardous to your pet.
Toxic shampoos
Toxic flea collars
Vaccinations
Lyme vaccine
Rabies vaccine
Lead -- lead poisoning can result from licking or eating wood chips on which there is lead paint. If this is a concern, a blood test can be done when doing regular blood work, but it must be specified that you would like a LEAD POISONING TEST which is not part of the normal blood work.
Paint fumes
Paint chips from lead based paint
Scented candles
Vitamins with high sodium level
Pine cleaners
Red food dye
Ethoxyquin

The above program does not apply to every pet and therefore, it is important to have your pet thoroughly examined by a veterinarian. If you decide to seek natural methods, Purely Pets recommends a consultation with our on-staff nutritionist. 

A consultation will include a personalized diet and holistic program suggestions, all custom-tailored to your pets' personal needs.  This is particularly imperative in pets with complicated health issues, or if you have done outside reading and have conflicting information.  

Please feel free to contact Purely Pets today!

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Contact Us By Phone At: (804) 748-7626
Pet Nutritionist: darleen@purelypets.com with questions about your pet or our products.
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Last Modified: January 12, 2008