Question:
I have a 2-1/2-year-old rescued Persian female cat that has been diagnosed with Hyperesthesia Syndrome. For the past few months, she has been receiving prednisone, 5 mg, twice a day when the attacks occur. I have also tried distracting her during minor attacks. There seems to be little difference with either method. She eats Science Diet Adult Maintenance dry food. Trying to change her diet doesn't work, as she will only eat dry food. She drinks water well. Do you have any suggestions?
K.H., West Fargo, ND Aug 30, 2009
Answer:
Prednisone is not the appropriate treatment for this obsessive-compulsive behavior and is absurd and harmful to use if the cat does not have hyperthyroidism, a primary dermatological problem or a mild epileptic condition.
I would transition your cat onto a raw food diet like Darwin's or get Feline Future's Instincts premix, to which you add raw meat. If your cat is addicted to dry food, give her Natura's Evo dry cat food. Also, give your cat up to 1 teaspoon daily of good-quality fish oil in her food. Her dry food she is unacceptable. Follow your intuition, and give your cat lots of play therapy, the more out-of-self stimulation the better. If improved nutrition does not help, see a feline specialist who may consider light medication with valerian or Valium.
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