Conference misery::feline_v1

I've only seen this happen a couple of times; unfortunately, neither of
them had a happy ending. In one case, Little Black One, our black
half-Siamese, began to display fits of temper and to spray in the house;
she was about eight years old, I guess. I didn't live at home then and
heard it all second-hand, but the vet tried tranquilizers and such and
finally gave up. Apparently it was some kind of hormonal change; didn't
think cats were subject to such things. 

The other was a Siamese who had been "only cat" for a number of years. When
its owner finally married, the cat became uncontrollable; in this case, it
was obviously a psychological problem, but there was nothing they could do -
the owner wasn't about to dismiss the spouse just to please the cat.

My Abigail went through a brief period of spraying, for which the vet
prescribed tranquilizers; I had my doubts about the treatment, but it seemed
to work. The problem went away and has never reappeared. (Note: she only
had to take the pills for a couple of months; it isn't a lifetime thing!
Would have been kind of funny, though - "Got to go home and dope my cat.")

I would suggest that you have the cat thoroughly examined, and see what the
vet suggests. It could be a physical problem, after all. And good luck!

-b

    I strongly second the recommendation to have the vet take a look at him.
My cats made the transition from indoor to outdoor with no obvious change in
personality.  When they're sick or injured, they're more likely to get extra
friendly (want to be held a LOT) than hostile, but it may depend on the cat,
or on exactly what's wrong.  How do you pick him up?  If you normally pick
him up under his belly, you might try using the scruff of his neck instead
and see if he doesn't object.  It's very common for cats to pick up worms
outside (easily cured with a pill, so not to worry) and that might make his
belly sensitive.

			ch

Your not alone!  My aunt had a siamese that as a kitten was perfectly normal,
but when it became a cat wanted attention ONLY on ITS terms!!!  It was quite
a terror if you tried to pick it up!  The cat lived to a ripe old age of 14?

	/s/	Bob

Something like this happened to me a couple of years ago with my 9 year
old 20 pound alley-cat, CJ.  This was no fun.  Eventually I bought a cat
cage to shove him into when he really freaked out.

Then, about a year ago, it all stopped and he's been fine ever since.  Maybe
they just go through phases.

As you mentioned that you've had outside cats before, I'm sure you must be
acquainted with abcesses, but if not, I thought I'd mention that as a possi-
bility, too.  We first discovered what they were when one of our outside cats
developed a mean streak whenever we picked him up.  After a few days, however,
we finally felt an unusual hard lump under his chest, and rushed him to the
vet, who knew exactly what the problem was.  What a stench!!  But Puma practi-
cally wrapped his "arms" around our necks and kissed us when it had drained.

Currently I have a bitchy old lady (Melissa) who only sits on my lap when she
chooses; if I try to pick her up and hold her, I usually wind up with several
(sometimes *deep*, depending on how hard she kicks) scratches to remind me of
my foolish gesture.  Furthermore, after she's been on my lap a while, if I
continue to stroke her past the time she feels she's had enough, she'll reach
around a "put her teeth on" me--I hesitate to say "bite" because I've always
considered those "love bites", if you've ever heard the expression applied to
kitties.  I just put up with it, and give her love on her terms!

--cathy

    I strongly disagree with the note that suggested picking up a full
    grown cat by the scruff of the neck!  That could make your problem
    worse not better since it causes great discomfort to the cat.  I
    suggest a trip to the vet first.  If there is no physical problem,
    try to think of any changes in the environment that could be causing
    your cat to react so fiercely(tom cat around, new pet, new baby,
    new spouse, change in routine).  Try to give the cat alot of love
    and attention, even if you have to do it from a distance.  Talk
    calmly and softly to it.
    
    This happened to one of my cats.  It turned out that she was being
    molested by a tom cat even though she was fixed.  Once we figured
    out what was wrong we made her and indoor cat and she started to
    be her old self again.  It did take several months before she
    completely recovered though.
    
    Jo Ann
    

    
       Residual always has been savage. But that is the way I brought
    him up. Ever since I got him I wrestled with him and chased him
    around the house. Now he wrestles me and chases me around the house.
    
        I have over 20 scratches on my arms at all times.
    
        He always calms down and just gets rough because that is his
    idea of playing. My parents won't fight with him so he always comes
    to me.
    
        In your case I have no idea for the change in behavior. 
    
    PC

    We took in a stray cat once that had worms so bad that she was vomiting
    them.  Always keep an eye out for this.
    

    	The suggestion to go the vet is probably wise.  We adopted a stray
    male tabby, who seemed to be really affectionate and civil, but pick
    him up, or stroke him (scratch his belly) and my arms would be bloody.
    After the trip to the vet, we realized that there was simply pain
    when we picked him up and rubbed his underbelly, as he was diagnosed
    as having an advanced case of FIP.  Now we just know what our limits
    are and treat him (Rollo) accordingly, yet affectionately.
    
    -am