Conference misery::feline

952.0. "Oscar is unsociable these days" by AKOCOA::NELSON () Wed Nov 15 1995 16:34

    After a few months of peace, Oscar has decided that he truly dislikes
    Misty, even now that the kittens are gone.  He spent more and more time
    outdoors till he got hurt in a fight last week.  The place where his
    tail joins his body is sort of swollen, and now he's managed to pick up
    fleas, too, d***it.  But whereas he and Misty used to get along OK, he
    now growls at her, whacks at her (usually closed paw, but I haven't
    looked too hard, I've been busy breaking up the fight), jumps on her
    and generally tries to beat up on her.  Misty is no pussycat, she
    usually fights back.
    
    The upshot of it all is, I have a 4-year-old neutered male who sulks,
    barely eats, and almost never asks to drink out of the bathtub faucet
    anymore (Oscar's preferred mode of drinking), and won't socialize with
    the family.  What should I do?  I really don't want to find another
    home for Misty --not after spending all that money on shots, spaying,
    flea baths, etc. -- but this isn't contributing to my peace of mind
    either.  It breaks my heart to see Oscar so sad and unsociable.

    I think the swollen area is an abscess, and therefore painful, so
    I think you should take Oscar to the vet for treatment as a first
    step.  After that, I find that petting both cats at once and talking
    to them in a soothing voice, etc. helps to mellow them out about
    each other's company.
    
    Does Oscar have to go outdoors?  Usually adjustments take place
    faster if the cats can't "retreat" outdoors from the probelm.
    

    I second Karen's idea that the swollen area could be an abscess.
    Check it out.  His temperament may improve once he's feeling 
    better.
    
    Jan

    I do agree with the others that it probably is an abscess
    which is VERY painful to a kitty. (similar to an abscess in
    your tooth).   Poor kitty is probably taking his frustrations
    out on the other kitties.
    
    Sandy