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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

1775.0. "Cat ATTACKING!!" by VIDEO::TAYLOR (Me and my lil' pots o' purrs.) Tue Sep 20 1988 12:56

    My sister has a slight problem in her house with her snowshoe siamese.
    She has two cats, Samantha the snowshoe, and Annie the calico. 
    They both get along VERY well.  Well, last weekend we brought them
    to the cat show in Hyannis.  Of course both of them were scared
    because they didn't know what was going to happen to them.  After
    a while, Annie calmed down, but Samantha didn't.  We had to keep
    her in the bathroom separated from the other cats because she would
    attack them.  When we got her into the show ring, she attacked two
    of the judges (One of them very badly) and then we decided to pull
    her from the rest of the rings.  We also had to separate her from
    Annie because she kept attacking her.  Any time any of us put our hand
    in her cage to give her food or something, we got attacked.  Needless
    to say, all of us have quite a few scratches.  
    
    When we got her home on Sunday, we thought she would return to normal.
    Well, she didn't.  She and Annie got along again, but anytime a
    human walks by her she attacks them.  My sister has quite a few
    scratches on her legs.  Could we have upset her that much?  What
    should we do?  We can't have her attacking my nephews like that.
    
    Thanks.
    Hollyf
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1775.1Some cats are very sensitive!SALEM::DEFRANCOTue Sep 20 1988 13:5017
    Holly, I can see why this is so upsetting for you and your sister
    but I guess it was most upsetting for Samantha.  My Snowshoe, Sam
    is a VERY sensitive cat also (maybe its in the genes!) Maybe Samantha
    just needs a few more days to settle down, after all Sunday was
    just a two days ago.  I would just ignore her and when she feels
    safe and confident again she will probably come out to see you and
    be friends again.
    
    I would also suggest keeping her off the show circuit if it upsets
    her so.  They sure have a poignant way of letting us know when they
    are not happy with what we have done to them!!
    
    Jeanne, Cali (my calico) and Sam (my snowshoe)
    
    P.S. seems like your sister and I have the same taste for cats!
    
    
1775.2It's all too scarey!BRUTUS::SOBEKTue Sep 20 1988 15:2437
    One of my Siamese, Sity, a 16 yr old spay, reacts in a similar way
    after visiting the vet. Sity is normally a real angel around the
    house, but she finds a trip to the vet so traumatizing that she
    completely "loses it". She hasn't actually bit and scratched, so
    the problem is not as severe, but the screaming and spitting at me
    is completely out of character for her. I minimize her vet visits
    by giving shots myself (I work for the vet part-time) and having the
    vet do routine checkups when he is out to attend to my miniature
    horses.  ..But there are still times when an office visit is necessary
    and it's always tough on poor "Si".  My husband refuses to take
    her as Bob is her favorite person in the whole world and he can't
    stand to have her mad at him!  So, I get to do the dirty work and
    Sity invariably hates me for a day or so (She hisses, spits, screams,
    and ..worst of all... gives me THAT look)! But she can't stand the
    alienation and gradually forgives me and rebuilds her trust. Then
    she becomes her sweet lovable self ...a little at a time.  
    
    My guess is that since Samantha's trauma was more severe, it will
    take her longer to get over it, ...but I'm confident she will. She
    needs some time to be convinced that her world hasn't come to an
    end.  I'd coax her a little to accept attention ....but I wouldn't
    force the issue.  I think she'll come around when her fear subsides.
    
    I, too, would be very reluctant to show her again since she hates
    it so much. Sity's "mads" don't last as long as they used to, but they
    haven't stopped over the years.  A couple of weekends back I took
    a friends cat to the vet and failed to throw the smock I wore into
    the laundry. Sity got a "wiff" and cursed me for a couple of hours!
                                                        
    Don't get discouraged. Her actions are out of fear ....give her some
    space where she feels safe and some time. I think she'll be herself 
    again soon.
    
    Good luck!
    
    Linda
    
1775.3NO MORE SHOWS!!VIDEO::TAYLORMe and my lil' pots o' purrs.Tue Sep 20 1988 15:485
    Just FYI, we have definitely decided not to show her anymore.  We
    can't upset her so much just for our personal rewards.  
    
    Holly
    
1775.4Has she forgiven yet?BRUTWO::SOBEKThu Sep 22 1988 15:224
    Holly, how is Samantha coming along?  Any improvement?
    
    Linda
    
1775.5all betterVIDEO::TAYLORMe and my lil' pots o' purrs.Thu Sep 22 1988 17:4211
    Hi, 
    
    Samantha is doing MUCH better.  She is completely back to her normal
    loveable self.  It must have been just so disturbing for her that
    she was taking it out on everyone she saw.
    
    Thanks for all the help.  I'm sorry I didn't get back to you earlier,
    but this new job has been keeping me busy.
    
    Holly
    
1775.6Wonderful!BRUTUS::SOBEKThu Sep 22 1988 20:157
    That's great news..   I'm so glad everything worked out.
    
    Good luck with the new job!
    
    
    Linda _who_loves_happy_endings!