Community Chat

[dooBdoo]

I love this show! In a lifetime of the joy of cats (and dogs, and even the occasional bird or hamster) I thought I was well-versed in feline care. Jackson's show has taught me so much more than I knew before.

In this case, of course feline hyperesthesia syndrome could be the real issue, and it's hard to know. Since Lux is now taking medication, no one could say for sure that the re-location was the only thing he needed to change the behavior.

Don't forget, in any case in which a child is involved, Galaxy always talks about the need to take their welfare into serious consideration.

[Marp2]

dooB,

Lux attacked Mollie before he was given the diagnosis and started on the medication.

Once he's in Portland, and delving deeper into the Lux file, Galaxy consults veterinarian Amelie Hatfield, of the Cat Hospital of Portland. And he visits the Oregon Humane Society, where marketing and communications director Barbara Baugnon pairs Lux up with Mollie and Jim, who take him in on a test basis as foster cat guardians, to see if Lux will stay calm in a stress-free home.

When Lux unexpectedly attacks Mollie's leg, Hatfield suggests he has a form of feline hyperesthesia syndrome, which can cause aggressive behavior. There's no cure, but medication may help control the symptoms.

http://www.oregonlive.com/movies/index.ssf/2014/06/jackson_galaxy_makes_dramatic.html

[dooBdoo]

On 6/15/2014 Marp2 said:

dooB,

Lux attacked Mollie before he was given the diagnosis and started on the medication.

Once he's in Portland, and delving deeper into the Lux file, Galaxy consults veterinarian Amelie Hatfield, of the Cat Hospital of Portland. And he visits the Oregon Humane Society, where marketing and communications director Barbara Baugnon pairs Lux up with Mollie and Jim, who take him in on a test basis as foster cat guardians, to see if Lux will stay calm in a stress-free home.

When Lux unexpectedly attacks Mollie's leg, Hatfield suggests he has a form of feline hyperesthesia syndrome, which can cause aggressive behavior. There's no cure, but medication may help control the symptoms.

http://www.oregonlive.com/movies/index.ssf/2014/06/jackson_galaxy_makes_dramatic.html

Hi, Marp! Yes, I know. I'm not arguing that point.

I watched the show (twice!).

That's why after reading a couple of the comments here that seemed to feel the problem was behavioral and had been caused by actions of the original owners I wanted to comment that we don't know exactly what the exact cause or solution is.

If it's from some trauma resulting from treatment in the first home and there was an unidentified trigger even after placed in the foster home, it could re-appear for a while or not. If it's from the hyperesthesia, the medication might help ("may help control the symptoms"), or not. So, the fact of it happening in the foster home isn't a sole determining diagnostic factor, in other words.

I probably didn't make myself clear. Either way, I think this was a great resolution.

[Marp2]

dooB,

Of course I had to delve into this syndrome a bit and there were several articles I read but THIS one really struck me. I think you'll find it of interest. It seems to fit many of the Lux's manifestations.

http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-practice-news-columns/pet-projects/fhs-may-have-underlying...

[dooBdoo]

On 6/15/2014 Marp2 said:

dooB,

Of course I had to delve into this syndrome a bit and there were several articles I read but THIS one really struck me. I think you'll find it of interest. It seems to fit many of the Lux's manifestations.

http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-practice-news-columns/pet-projects/fhs-may-have-underlying...

Hi, again, Marp! Of course you had to delve! And I always learn something new when you do. Kudos!

What a fascinating article. The similarities with schizophrenia are intriguing. And I agree, this does seem to fit Lux's behaviors.

You know, I could've sworn on another show I saw another sweet kitty diagnosed with "rolling skin disease" and "hyperesthesia," but so far I can't find anything online about it.

Thanks for this info.

[Marp2]

Good morning dooB. There was another show that dealt with hyperesthesia, it was last year, an episode about Crazy Daisy. Her manifestations were more typical and much less severe. She was started on medication and I think it was a homeopathic but my memory could be faulty about that.

It was season 4, episode 16

[dooBdoo]

On 6/16/2014 Marp2 said:

Good morning dooB. There was another show that dealt with hyperesthesia, it was last year, an episode about Crazy Daisy. Her manifestations were more typical and much less severe. She was started on medication and I think it was a homeopathic but my memory could be faulty about that.

It was season 4, episode 16

And good evening, Marp! Thanks! You're a great sleuth. That was the one, though in searching it seems it's hard to find anything online other than summaries of that episode. I usually keep an eye out for the "MCFH" marathons (sometimes they show up in the On Demand offerings) -- it would be interesting to see that one again.

Thanks, again.

[mewsmomtoo]

On 6/15/2014 Marp2 said:

dooB,

Of course I had to delve into this syndrome a bit and there were several articles I read but THIS one really struck me. I think you'll find it of interest. It seems to fit many of the Lux's manifestations.

http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-practice-news-columns/pet-projects/fhs-may-have-underlying...

Excellent article Marp2! Thanks for posting.

[spot555]

I don't think Lux has that syndrome. I think both Jackson & the vet had to find SOMETHING in order to rehome Lux. I honestly feel the cat was reacting to it's original owners behavior.

Something isn't normal about that husband & wife. I don't care if she faked being upset....they're dark people. Lux didn't like them, & lashed out because of it. I still believe that once he feels completely safe & loved in his new home he'll be just fine.

[Clover29]

On 6/15/2014 Marp2 said:

dooB,

Lux attacked Mollie before he was given the diagnosis and started on the medication.

Once he's in Portland, and delving deeper into the Lux file, Galaxy consults veterinarian Amelie Hatfield, of the Cat Hospital of Portland. And he visits the Oregon Humane Society, where marketing and communications director Barbara Baugnon pairs Lux up with Mollie and Jim, who take him in on a test basis as foster cat guardians, to see if Lux will stay calm in a stress-free home.

When Lux unexpectedly attacks Mollie's leg, Hatfield suggests he has a form of feline hyperesthesia syndrome, which can cause aggressive behavior. There's no cure, but medication may help control the symptoms.

http://www.oregonlive.com/movies/index.ssf/2014/06/jackson_galaxy_makes_dramatic.html

I have a very sweet cat who came from the shelter where she'd been twice returned before for unknown reasons. She had a tendency to lash out at us when we first got her, but once she knew she was safe and loved (and permanently ours), she did calm down and is now a delight. She occasionally attacks my legs, but she's just playing and it's not aggressive. She's never broken the skin, even during her settling in period. She doesn't keep her emotions bottled up, she's very expressive when she's happy or unhappy.

Obviously I can't say my cat is just like Lux, I'm not a vet and I've never met Lux. The two cases are probably apples and oranges. But I feel good about Lux having a new home where he's loved so much, and infinite love fixed my slightly broken kitty so it's what I'd prescribe for Lux. I'm rooting for him.