22/06/2025
📌 What's new in HYPERESTHESIA SYNDROME JVIM research in cats?! 🙀 (HS) Take a peak below‼️
🔬 Study Snapshot
• Sample: 28 cats diagnosed with HS, with ≥1 year of follow-up .
• Groups:
– Fluoxetine‑only (16 cats, 57%) 💊
– Fluoxetine/gabapentin + behavioral therapy (7 cats, 25%)
💡Cats with more severe signs
– Behavioral therapy only (5 cats, 18%) .
💡Cats with LESS severe signs
💡Modifications were based on the "Five Pillars of Environmental Needs
📈 Key Results
• Episode‑Free ≥9 months: Achieved in 23 out of 28 cats (82%) .
• Fastest remission: Fluoxetine‑only group – median 8 days to recovery (IQR 3.5–18), vs. 60 days (behavior-only) and 100 days (combo - 💡remember these were the more severely affected cats) .
• One‑year remission: 26 cats (93%) no longer exhibited HS signs, and just 1 relapse (4%) . Half remained on meds at 1 year.
💡 The authors did note gabapentin resulted in longer time to clinical resolution than fluoxetine in this study.
💡There were more cats in the combo group able to get off meds and continue with behavior alone
✅ Takeaway for Cat Owners & Vets
1. Fluoxetine alone can offer fast relief.
2. Combined behavioral + pharmacologic therapy still supports long-term control.
3. Tailored, multimodal plans are key to managing HS effectively.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/GCZNVJDR9SJXXYPRICTS?target=10.1111/jvim.70174
🧠😺 Do you have an HS story or method of tx you'd like to share? Gabapentin, fluoxetine, phenobarbital, steroids...what else??
