Complicated cat behaviour question

Re: Complicated cat behaviour question

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:11:56 GMT

[quote user="Claire 'Duke' York RVN MBVNA"]

[quote user="mrs mac"]This is probably a lame suggestion but is it worth using Felifriend on hands of owner/visitors?[/quote]

A note of caution with Felifriend - a paradoxical increase in defensive aggression has been noted in cases where the cat is faced with a human or feline which it associates with hostility. The cat appears to panic at the conflict between what it sees and the appeasing scent signal.

[/quote]

Thanks for that Claire

Re: Complicated cat behaviour question

Claire Cameron — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:56:32 GMT

[quote user="mrs mac"]This is probably a lame suggestion but is it worth using Felifriend on hands of owner/visitors?[/quote]

Re: Complicated cat behaviour question

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:16:06 GMT

Cheers guys for all the suggestions, and good thinking Heather.

Sal, it is interesting what you say, especially about repeat visitors, it reminded me of something else she said and another reason I am thinking it is not pain related..... her husband can do anything with the cat and he does not attack him. Just her, the other cat and any visitors.

Re: Complicated cat behaviour question

Mac Feather — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 22:24:25 GMT

This is probably a lame suggestion but is it worth using Felifriend on hands of owner/visitors?

Would be interesting to hear how this cat progresses.

Re: Complicated cat behaviour question

Claire Cameron — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:31:28 GMT

[quote user="Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA"]

Claire there are/were no signs of CBA. there were no injuries seen on the cat at all the owner said.

[/quote]

Good news.

I'd personally recommend Feliway, Zylkene and rebonding with the cat. and the above suggestions I made re shared resources etc.

Re: Complicated cat behaviour question

Sal the 1st — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:13:06 GMT

Dont know if this will help or not?

this happened to my own cat Jasper.

One place I worked I used to live in the flat above the practice and one night the practice got burgled. I had to barricade myself and both cats in the lounge because after the burglars had finished in the surgery we heard them trying to break in the door to the flat. Things were pretty stressful listening to somebody trying to break in (and they werent quiet about it), waiting for the police to arrive and talking to the police despatch until they managed to get somebody there and most of the time Jas spent behind the sofa just shaking.

When the police arrived almost half an hour later it would be fair to say all 3 of us were pretty wound up. Unfortunately when the policeman came up the stairs Jas shot out from behind the sofa and big footed police fella accidentally trod on his tail.

his tail wasnt broken and he seemed to settle down fairly quickly with it but for quite a long time after if there were any sudden moves from anybody, any loud noises anybody trying to pick him up or touch him anywhere near his tail he would really scream at them and attempt to bite. Visitors or strangers I had to keep him out of the way because as soon as he heard people coming up the stairs he would take up position behind the sofa and attack their legs as they came through the door.

he has seen a behaviourist and he is a lot better (this is about 4 1/2 yrs on) - have to say feliway was the best thing ever, amytrip was pretty useless just left him doped and extremely aggressive.

Caro will tell you what he is like to pick up - he bites and really means it if you dont get him the first time.

he can still be aggressive with visitors tho now this is mostly restricted to jumping on the chair arm when visitor sits down and sitting on them or staring them out. If they attempt to move him he will growl and sometimes bite. Could something similar be causing your kitties prob?

If visitors to mine ignore him sitting on them or dont attempt to move him he usually gets fed up and moves off, and repeat visitors he doesnt generally bother with very often. He is definitely worse with men. Another point to mention is that if I am stressed or upset he picks up on it before I do and he generally has a rough time himself, he tends to get very clingy.

Re: Complicated cat behaviour question

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:16:21 GMT

He is not attacking the visitors when they touch him...., he is attacking them for no reason, the only reason I mentioned the back thing was because the owner had said that she came up behind him and he flew at her, he has also done this when she has touched him from behind......(ie surprised him) sorry if I am not making myself clear, I suppose it,s hard when you have not heard the convo 1st hand. I agree to get him checked for any undelying pain issues, but the cat did not suddenly become aggressive, the owner said it has got steadily worse over the course of the eight weeks since the attack which is making me think it may not be a pain related one . I do agree though about the poss PTSD, and also the visitors bringing in the scent Also the cat who attacked him may also still be lurking in his territory

Claire there are/were no signs of CBA. there were no injuries seen on the cat at all the owner said.

Re: Complicated cat behaviour question

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:16:59 GMT

Claire's mention of areas has also reminded me of something to try. Has the owner tried earning the cat's trust back? Isolating in smaller rooms and entertaining with play and treats. keeping a regular schedule and routine is imperative as well. Maybe even using clicker training to create a trigger for positive actions. so when entering a room where he may be sleeping or unaware of someone entering the room (in case it is post traumatic stress) clicking and rewarding. When the guests or strangers enter the house, clicking and rewarding.

Re: Complicated cat behaviour question

Claire Cameron — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:03:40 GMT

Sounds like he is in pain and/or stressed.

He may have a CBA?

Has the client tried Feliway?

Provide enough resources for animals to have their own food, water, sleeping area, play area and the usual one litter tray per cat, plus one extra.

Failing Feliway, try Zylkene?

Provide areas the cat can escape and hide to, covered and secure and leave the cat be when it is in that area.

Re: Complicated cat behaviour question

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:45:13 GMT

[quote user="Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA"]

I was thinking more along the lines of he had possibly been attacked from behind,and this was why he was objecting to it. The attacking of the visitors is a bit strange too, and he does this un provoked, as well as un provoked attacks on the owner.

[/quote]

dunno, doesn't sound like it to me. we have to be careful not to humanise cats as they are very different to us. it's more likely they are in pain, or were in discomfort when that person approached them and now associate that person. But since they are also going for strangers it would lead me to believe it's an ongoing pain. have they tried anything like Feliway or Zylkene to rule out post traumatic stress or is it possible this cat that attacked the little guy is still around and possibly marking things outside? If he is then they could be potentially bringing in his scent from outside and this is putting him on edge.

Re: Complicated cat behaviour question

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:01:23 GMT

Re: Complicated cat behaviour question

Maisy — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:49:54 GMT

I locumed at a cat clinic for a while and a cat was referred with a similar problem. He'd initially been treated by his original practice for cba after a fight, but 6 weeks on would act aggressive to his owner and would yowl if approached. He was anaesthetised for a full work up as he wouldn't tolerate any handling and although he didn't have any obvious injuries there was bruising along his lumbar region and inguinal area. This was probably painful in itself and probably was 'expecting' pain if he was approached so the growling was a self defense mechanism.

Cats can be quite good at harbouring pain but the aggression might be a side effect too?

Re: Complicated cat behaviour question

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:42:36 GMT

Sounds like he's in pain. Though cats can hold grudges, it's more likely they are in discomfort when acting out like that. back out of line? pinched nerve? chiropody or acupuncture would do the trick. do you have a physio referral?