2 year old male cat suddenly developed twitches, frantic licking?

Question

My cat suddenly developed "fits", often beginning with his mouth twitching or bathing that turns into frantic licking. His whole back will ripple. When he tries to lick different areas, he acts like he has a bad taste in his mouth then takes off running. Sometimes this lasts for seconds, sometimes it goes on and on for only short breaks between "fits." He also developed diahrrea about a week ago. He has been to the vet twice. He is being treated for the diahrrea but an exam and blood work gives no explanation for his disturbing behavior. It does not seem like seizures as he is very relaxed when we pick him up during a fit and he doesn't phase out on us. I don't want to put him on seizure medication which could harm him if that is not what the problem is. Does anyone have any ideas what this could be? Thanks.

Answer 1

fleas

Answer 2

Is there something on him that is bothering him? Are you sure he doesn't have fleas? If you've just put a dose of flea medication on him, sometimes it causes an odd tickling sensation. It isn't painful, but feels "funny". Any exposure to something toxic? Maybe your vet could try a short course of valium to help him relax and see if this helps. If you can't find a reason for this, then he might be epileptic, and will need anti seizure medication to control the seizures.

Answer 3

FELINE HYPERESTHESIA, OVER-GROOMING, AND SELF-MUTILATION

Feline hyperesthesia syndrome has been variously called rolling skin disease, neuritis, twitchy cat disease, and atypical neurodermatitis. The behaviours demonstrated can include those mimicking estrus or biting at the tail, flank, anal or lumbar areas (sometimes with resultant barbering and self-mutilation); or skin rippling and muscle spasms/twitching (usually dorsally), often accompanied by vocalisation, running, jumping, hallucinations and self-directed aggression. Not all cats exhibiting these behaviours self-mutilate, but those that do can exhibit a range of mutilation from excessive licking, to plucking (trichotillomania), barbering, biting, and chewing that lead to skin lesions. Regardless of the degree of behavioural change, owners report that it is difficult to distract the cat from the behaviour. The behaviour sequence can vary. Cats might twitch and then focus on a part of the body to lick or chew. Or they might be grooming, start to twitch, and then exhibit more furious behaviours. Painful and dermatological causes MUST be ruled-out before even considering the possibility of a behavioural disorder. Environmental and social stresses have been associated with these disorders and range from readily apparent (skin conditions including food allergy, atopy, or fleas; the addition or loss of another cat; intercat aggression; the addition or loss of a human with attendant changes in attention); to indiscernible exogenous cues. Cats may also perceive truly endogenous cues (anxiety can be the result of altered neurochemistry/neurotransmission and can therefore also be endogenous).

Answer 4

Maybe he had too much to drink, slept with a big fat she-cat, and now feels very dirty in retrospect.