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#1
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Agression towards sick cat?
We have two cats, Catenary and Dirigible: They are littermates, age
about 2 years, both neutered males, former ferals; they have been housecats for about 1 year. Catenary has been the "alpha" since before we took them in, but he is very ill now: We recently found out he has mediastinal lymphoma. Usually the two are good buddies as they always have been, but in the past few days, we've caught Dirigible showing some (apparently) unprovoked agression, usually in competition for food or attention. In the past we didn't interfere too much with them if they fought. It usually was just noise, and no blood ever. They worked things out and went back to being pals. Right now, we feel we need to intevene, since Catenary is weakened by the illness and can't defend himself well. Aside from separating them overnight and at other times when we can't monitor, what else can we do to keep the peace? In one case I think Dirigible simply misread Catenary's body language as an invitation to play-fight: Catenary was lying down in a way that he almost looked like he was crouching. Thanks for any suggestions. PS: Yes, there are photos: http://www.geocities.com/heytud/cats/ |
#2
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Agression towards sick cat?
"heytud" wrote in message oups.com... We have two cats, Catenary and Dirigible: They are littermates, age about 2 years, both neutered males, former ferals; they have been housecats for about 1 year. Catenary has been the "alpha" since before we took them in, but he is very ill now: We recently found out he has mediastinal lymphoma. Usually the two are good buddies as they always have been, but in the past few days, we've caught Dirigible showing some (apparently) unprovoked agression, usually in competition for food or attention. In the past we didn't interfere too much with them if they fought. It usually was just noise, and no blood ever. They worked things out and went back to being pals. Right now, we feel we need to intevene, since Catenary is weakened by the illness and can't defend himself well. Aside from separating them overnight and at other times when we can't monitor, what else can we do to keep the peace? In one case I think Dirigible simply misread Catenary's body language as an invitation to play-fight: Catenary was lying down in a way that he almost looked like he was crouching. Thanks for any suggestions. PS: Yes, there are photos: http://www.geocities.com/heytud/cats/ Simple animal instincts the weak and ill are always pushed away from the feeding to prevent the others from becoming the same. Plus now that the alpha male is weak and unable to be the alpha male the other is taking his place. Simple animal thinking |
#3
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Agression towards sick cat?
I don't have an answer for you about stopping the agression. But I do
know that this is normal. As my vet told me when I was going through something like this with one kitty sick and the other not - it's survival of the pack. The healthy one is trying to force the ill one out. Nature isn't always pretty. I don't know if I was right or wrong, but I would be stern with the healthy one and tell him to lay off. I found it best to feed the ill kitty by herself. |
#4
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Agression towards sick cat?
heytud wrote: Thanks for any suggestions. PS: Yes, there are photos: http://www.geocities.com/heytud/cats/ let them be...it will **** the sick one off, the sick one will get well just to get even |
#5
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Agression towards sick cat?
It sounds like Dirigible has noticed the weakness in Catenary and is
asserting domonanceSP?. Like you I always stay out of the battles between my cats and let them solve their issues themselves. Were I draw the line is when it looks like one is hurting the other. This could be the drawing of blood or attacking the other when it's sick or injured. I'm not a vet but I'll bet that Catenary needs rest in order to recover and the physical extertion could weaken him further making him suseptable to other problem and at the least delay his revovery. I would try to keep them apart or at least keep the "fighting" to a minimum. heytud wrote: : We have two cats, Catenary and Dirigible: They are littermates, age : about 2 years, both neutered males, former ferals; they have been : housecats for about 1 year. : Catenary has been the "alpha" since before we took them in, but he is : very ill now: We recently found out he has mediastinal lymphoma. : Usually the two are good buddies as they always have been, but in the : past few days, we've caught Dirigible showing some (apparently) : unprovoked agression, usually in competition for food or attention. : In the past we didn't interfere too much with them if they fought. It : usually was just noise, and no blood ever. They worked things out and : went back to being pals. Right now, we feel we need to intevene, since : Catenary is weakened by the illness and can't defend himself well. : Aside from separating them overnight and at other times when we can't : monitor, what else can we do to keep the peace? : In one case I think Dirigible simply misread Catenary's body language : as an invitation to play-fight: Catenary was lying down in a way that : he almost looked like he was crouching. : Thanks for any suggestions. : PS: Yes, there are photos: http://www.geocities.com/heytud/cats/ -- ------------------- Keep working millions on welfare depend on you |
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