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#1
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Random Attacks from the cat
Hi,
Just wanted to get an opinion and see if anyone else has experience similar to what I am going through. I had cats all my life. From early age, my parents being animal lovers allowed me and my brother have pets. I really like having pets in my house, cats especially. After I got married we lived in an apartment and that's when we got Mia. At the age of only 4 weeks she was the only gray kitten in the litter of redheads. She was cute playful and very personal. She never hissed, except for one time when we had a dog visitor and this was very short. Shortly we moved to a town house and went through most of the known routines to make the move for Mia les painful. She adapted fine and after short few months she was enjoying more space in her new home. This was almost 2 and half years ago and she was one years old at the time. We never hit her or physically punish her. She would react perfectly to the voice. If she bit while playing with us usually a "no!" would do for her. Same with talking sweet to her would make her start purring. Eight month ago when my wife came home and was going through some presents we purchased for an upcoming short trip, one of the presents ( a toy) suddenly make a noise (a beep or so). Apparently Mia was sleeping near buy and heard it. Instantly she started attacking my wife, scratching her hands, jumping on her until her (the cat) cornered her in her own house. I run downstairs to see my blood dripping down my wife's hands and Mia circling her and getting closer. I tried to push the cat away but got a scratch myself. Slowly the animal clamed down to the degree for us to be able to pick her up and put her in another room. I had to take my wife to the hospital to get treated from the scratches. She still has those marks. Several visits to the vet and some advices from our friends we decided that it could only be a one time thing and probably was coursed by the sudden notice and all that stuff. So we gave her another chance but were very cousins around her. Took a month or so for my wife to be able to play with her again and not fear so much. I started clipping her nails regularly and monitor her behavior. She seemed to be fine, with exception of few stresses she had due to other people in the house. Three days ago there was a team meeting in my house. Four people from my wife's school came over to study. I could tell that Mia was on guard, so I asked everyone not to approach her (like I always did before). I came down to the basement from the outside still wearing the boots and that's when the attack happens again! This is not the normal hissing and withdraws type of thing. Mia got furious with me. She was screaming on high notes like someone stepped on her or there were 10 dog trying to bite her. Fluffy tail, darkened eyes she was ready to fill. Luckily I had a bottle of water and splashed her to she ran away. Since then the cat was unpredictable. She would take food purr and then from my "sudden" move she would go to the same stage again. I come home from work, thinking she is calm she makes weird noises and know another attack is coming. It came to keeping her in the basement so we could walk around the house without the fear of being attacked. Please, don't get me wrong I love that animal and she is really good otherwise. But it came down to the point where a pet is terrorizing our being instead of making it better, Living in constant fear in my own house is not healthy and wrong. She is at the vet known I took her in this morning. They told me that they are going to run some blood tests for possible diseases. Although less likely (she is only 3 years old) but if one is found, they would recommend treatment (Prozac type). If not health abnormalities are found I have a choice of taking her to the behavior specialist or leaving her there in the hospital for a possible secession. I feel really hirable right now, but if I have to make that decision I think I will. With my parents coming in month or two to stay with me (they are bringing a dog with them) my house can become a dangerous place to be for other pets and humans. Not even mentioning our talks about having children.... Sorry for the long letter just had to get off my chest.. V. |
#2
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Random Attacks from the cat
"Vahehoo" wrote in message
ups.com... Hi, Just wanted to get an opinion and see if anyone else has experience similar to what I am going through. I had cats all my life. From early age, my parents being animal lovers allowed me and my brother have pets. I really like having pets in my house, cats especially. After I got married we lived in an apartment and that's when we got Mia. At the age of only 4 weeks she was the only gray kitten in the litter of redheads. She was cute playful and very personal. She never hissed, except for one time when we had a dog visitor and this was very short. Shortly we moved to a town house and went through most of the known routines to make the move for Mia les painful. She adapted fine and after short few months she was enjoying more space in her new home. This was almost 2 and half years ago and she was one years old at the time. We never hit her or physically punish her. She would react perfectly to the voice. If she bit while playing with us usually a "no!" would do for her. Same with talking sweet to her would make her start purring. Eight month ago when my wife came home and was going through some presents we purchased for an upcoming short trip, one of the presents ( a toy) suddenly make a noise (a beep or so). Apparently Mia was sleeping near buy and heard it. Instantly she started attacking my wife, scratching her hands, jumping on her until her (the cat) cornered her in her own house. I run downstairs to see my blood dripping down my wife's hands and Mia circling her and getting closer. I tried to push the cat away but got a scratch myself. Slowly the animal clamed down to the degree for us to be able to pick her up and put her in another room. I had to take my wife to the hospital to get treated from the scratches. She still has those marks. Several visits to the vet and some advices from our friends we decided that it could only be a one time thing and probably was coursed by the sudden notice and all that stuff. So we gave her another chance but were very cousins around her. Took a month or so for my wife to be able to play with her again and not fear so much. I started clipping her nails regularly and monitor her behavior. She seemed to be fine, with exception of few stresses she had due to other people in the house. Three days ago there was a team meeting in my house. Four people from my wife's school came over to study. I could tell that Mia was on guard, so I asked everyone not to approach her (like I always did before). I came down to the basement from the outside still wearing the boots and that's when the attack happens again! This is not the normal hissing and withdraws type of thing. Mia got furious with me. She was screaming on high notes like someone stepped on her or there were 10 dog trying to bite her. Fluffy tail, darkened eyes she was ready to fill. Luckily I had a bottle of water and splashed her to she ran away. Since then the cat was unpredictable. She would take food purr and then from my "sudden" move she would go to the same stage again. I come home from work, thinking she is calm she makes weird noises and know another attack is coming. It came to keeping her in the basement so we could walk around the house without the fear of being attacked. Please, don't get me wrong I love that animal and she is really good otherwise. But it came down to the point where a pet is terrorizing our being instead of making it better, Living in constant fear in my own house is not healthy and wrong. She is at the vet known I took her in this morning. They told me that they are going to run some blood tests for possible diseases. Although less likely (she is only 3 years old) but if one is found, they would recommend treatment (Prozac type). If not health abnormalities are found I have a choice of taking her to the behavior specialist or leaving her there in the hospital for a possible secession. I feel really hirable right now, but if I have to make that decision I think I will. With my parents coming in month or two to stay with me (they are bringing a dog with them) my house can become a dangerous place to be for other pets and humans. Not even mentioning our talks about having children.... Sorry for the long letter just had to get off my chest.. V. Have a read of Pam Johnsons- Bennets book Psycho Kitty . There is a chapter about a cat who attacked his owner and other people coming into the house. Some cats attack in defence if they feel threatened or feel angry that intruders are in their territory. There are specfic circumstances that trigger your cats attacks such as the toy beeping and people coming into the house, your boots. This might not seem logical to you but it is to your cat. Unfortunately , spraying with water can increase the anger or fear the cat feels and next time something triggers attack she will remember that . I understand why you did it though as it is frightened to be attcked by an enraged cat. You've done the right things so far by having vet tests done , they should also think about thyoid aggression or maybe something more serious such as a brain tumour or epilepsy. Seeing a behaviourist would be a great help. You might be able to change your cats behaviour without resorting to drugs, but the behaviourist would advise you on this. I would check your behaviourist is recognised the relevant association. In the UK we have the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors. Ask your vet for some plug in Feliway* diffusers, they can help calm cats (*Feliway® is a synthetic analogue of natural occurring feline facial pheromones that make cats feel calm and secure within their environment. Feliway mimics these pheromones and when sprayed or diffused within the environment creates a comforting and reassuring feeling, calming the cat reducing the impulse to undertake urine or scratch marking.) Alison |
#3
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Random Attacks from the cat
Vahehoo wrote:
She is at the vet known I took her in this morning. They told me that they are going to run some blood tests for possible diseases. Although less likely (she is only 3 years old) but if one is found, they would recommend treatment (Prozac type). If not health abnormalities are found I have a choice of taking her to the behavior specialist or leaving her there in the hospital for a possible secession. I feel really hirable right now, but if I have to make that decision I think I will. With my parents coming in month or two to stay with me (they are bringing a dog with them) my house can become a dangerous place to be for other pets and humans. Not even mentioning our talks about having children.... See what the blood tests bring. Parasites like giardia can irritate a cat, but still this is way beyond. And recently I dealth with a declawed cat with struvite crystals become unpredictable but not dangerous, just threatening to attack but did not. This is a tough one. She is at the age where I might suspect some brain inflammation or bad reorganization taking place. Aside from MRI's, especially an early one and a recent one, I don't know how to track brain damage easily in a feline. Even in humans, it's difficult. And then what to do? Prozac is used. If inflammation, maybe a steroid but where is the inflammation. This is a tough one. And most vets won't have this experience or be so inclined but ask. I met only one vet who really knew his neurology but he was in Boston, a research vet professor. I would look for illness in the body or brain damage or inflammation. But I am not a vet and inexperienced with felines. But I am experienced with vets and brain problems they were usually grotesquely incompetent as a general rule. Very, very useless so tread carefully and you may have to vet the vets. |
#4
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Random Attacks from the cat
I agree that a full medical workup should be done. Also, the sound the
paper or toy made may have been a trigger to something you know nothing about in her past. Best bet, soft paws for now. Dogs and other stressors are tough, especially with a "psycho kitty" but I'm sure the cat will be fine once you identify the triggers. I suspect a brain inflammation or tumor. Could be nothing more than a virus, but cat's can't tell us what's wrong with them. If you are near a vet school, take her there. They usually have more info on the newest stuff at a school. Scratching is harder to deal with than biting, as there are things you can do to stop the biting. |
#5
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Random Attacks from the cat
Hello,
Thanks everyone for their replies, advices and kind words. Also I am really weird out by TheAmazingPussyWiz trying to sell me something by making me feel guilty and stupid at the same time. Way to go TheAmazingPussyWiz ! Unfortunately, I had to put the cat to sleep. Her blood work came back normal and so the only option that vet was offering was Prozac. No guarantees were made with that. Thinking objectively we would not have been able to trust her again...Locking her in a room every time we decide to walk around or when other people (including children) are present is not an option either. Drugging the animal to unconsciousness is cruel and giving her away or setting free somewhere far is not fare to the people and animals that would encounter her. So holding down the feelings below the rationality I made the decision to humanly let her go... Truly this was one of the hardest decisions I had to make in my 26 years of existence. It was really sad to tell them to put her down like that...I still miss my cat a lot. V. |
#6
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Random Attacks from the cat
On Tue, 28 Feb 2006 09:28:08 -0800, Vahehoo wrote:
Hello, Thanks everyone for their replies, advices and kind words. Also I am really weird out by TheAmazingPussyWiz trying to sell me something by making me feel guilty and stupid at the same time. Way to go TheAmazingPussyWiz ! Unfortunately, I had to put the cat to sleep. Her blood work came back normal and so the only option that vet was offering was Prozac. No guarantees were made with that. Thinking objectively we would not have been able to trust her again...Locking her in a room every time we decide to walk around or when other people (including children) are present is not an option either. Drugging the animal to unconsciousness is cruel and giving her away or setting free somewhere far is not fare to the people and animals that would encounter her. So holding down the feelings below the rationality I made the decision to humanly let her go... Truly this was one of the hardest decisions I had to make in my 26 years of existence. It was really sad to tell them to put her down like that...I still miss my cat a lot. V. We feel your pain. Purrs that you will find a loving kitty. |
#7
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Random Attacks from the cat
On Tue, 28 Feb 2006 09:28:08 -0800, Vahehoo wrote:
Hello, Thanks everyone for their replies, advices and kind words. Also I am really weird out by TheAmazingPussyWiz trying to sell me something by making me feel guilty and stupid at the same time. Way to go TheAmazingPussyWiz ! Unfortunately, I had to put the cat to sleep. Her blood work came back normal and so the only option that vet was offering was Prozac. No guarantees were made with that. Thinking objectively we would not have been able to trust her again...Locking her in a room every time we decide to walk around or when other people (including children) are present is not an option either. Drugging the animal to unconsciousness is cruel and giving her away or setting free somewhere far is not fare to the people and animals that would encounter her. So holding down the feelings below the rationality I made the decision to humanly let her go... Truly this was one of the hardest decisions I had to make in my 26 years of existence. It was really sad to tell them to put her down like that...I still miss my cat a lot. V. Purrs for you. We feel your pain. Purrs that you will find a loving kitty. MLB |
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