My cat has developed sensitivity to clicking sounds causing twitching
by Antoinette Worrall
My cat has developed very sensitive hearing to clicking sounds causing him to twitch and today he had what could be described as a small fit. I was about to feed him and he was sitting on the table as usually waiting. I was scrapping the leftovers from the tin with a fork and the sound it was making caused him to repeatedly twitch and as I stop it, he starting to run around in a circle. I took him off the table and he tried to run away but was not in control of his body and still continued to try and run round in a circle. I tried to hold him because he was heading for the wall and in doing so it appears as though he was having difficulties with his mouth and his tongue. I held the wee chap until it passed which only took seconds. This was extremely upsetting to witness. I have booked him in with the vet today. This sensitive hearing started to occur when his brother died on July 10. As time has gone on he has become more and more sensitive to any clicking sound especially the computer mouse. Please let me know if you have heard anything like this before and what is it. Inner ear problem? He has no other health issues. He is generally a very happy/healthily cat (13 years old). Antoinette Hi Antoinette.... thanks for sharing and asking. I am at a disadvantage as you are going to the vet soon. Nonetheless, as you have asked, I will answer as best as I can but this is theoretical based on what you have said. I don't think this is a "sound" related problem and I don't think it is connected to the loss of his brother. I have not found anything in the textbooks that I have that refer to increased sensitivity to sound. I think he has encephalitis, a brain infection. This is because he has a behavioral and personality change which goes wider than hearing problems. Encephalitis is caused by a virus. This include: Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIV) Panleukopenia - feline distemper Feline Leukemia - signs. FeLV Rabies (this does not apply because rabies as been eradicated in the UK). Pseudorabies Toxoplasmosis can also cause encephalitis. This is caused by a protozoan Bacteria can also cause encephalitis. A fungal infection (Cryptococcus) can also cause it. The treatment is dependent on the cause. I won't go any further as you are seeing a vet who can make a far better diagnosis with your cat in front of him and the full force of his/her training behind him Good luck to you both. Best
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