Strange cat getting stranger

Question
I have a cat that is a genetic freak of nature.  It was born in a litter of two.  This one was huge, and gained weight like crazy, while the other was skin and bones.  Both had personality quirks and the skinny one died before a year.

I believe they were inbred, and had rescued them from a farm as practically newborns.

Vet could not identify medical problems in either of them.  

SO...that is a little backround info.  Fatcat is the cat I have questions about.  She is fixed, two years old, and up to date on vaccines.  She is one of 4 cats that I have.  She has never been a friendly cat, in fact, she ducks when you reach to pet her.  She's not scared - it's attitude.  Every other cat we own practically tries to make out with you.  We have super-lovey kitties.  Fatcat only cares about food.  She is 2yr old, white, 25lbs, six-toed, and is practically blind.  The vet had no good answer about her eyes, either.  She can see, but it's like her pupils are perminently wide, and she can't seem to focus.  Her eyes kind of "jitter" when she is looking at something.  This has always been the case for her.  

She doesn't seem to like anybody human OR feline.  She is just mean all round.  We tried to put her on a diet, but she ate carpet, wood, plastic, etc, and when crazier than usual.  So, since all of the other cats are thin and normal and they all get the same amount of food, I know that this is just she is, and food is what makes her happy - the ONLY joy she has.

BUT....lately she has been getting meaner.  She growls more than she doesn't.  She picks on the other cats more - even though one is 11yrs old and was here waaay berfore her.  She has gotten more aggressive with them.  And has even started growling at me.  She never used to do that.  And, she has started peeing in my laundry room.  I just noticed that her nose is quite moist, and there is black on it, around it.  (not the boogery kind kittens have sometimes)  

I know this sounds horrible....but we really don't like her.  She isn't likable.  She has no nice qualities.  I mean, we are as nice to her as the others, and she is treated the same, but she is just a pain.  So.....I am not eager to rack up vet bills trying to "fix" her.  As I have done this in the beginning, and nothing was figured out, and it was a waste of money.

What is your opinion?  Could she have a genetic disease/disorder that is causing her bad behavior and symptoms to progress?  Or is it a symptom of something else?

Thank you,
Jessie  (long time cat owner that has never encountered a cat like this)

Answer
Hi Jessie.  It's no doubt that bad genes can lead to a bad personality.  Vets generally agree that genetics make up about half of the cat's personality, while environmental influences have to do with about half of it as well.  You can raise a cat with good genes exactly the same as you do one with bad genes and get two completely different cats.  Inbreeding and malnutrition during fetal development or during young kittenhood are possible reasons why there may be negative personality traits.

However, it is possible that she's just highly anxious, and this is manifesting as aggressive and aloof behavior.  Unfortunately, anxiety tends to take some money and effort to correct.  You can try a product called Feliway.  I use the plug-in diffusers in my own home.  Learn more about how it works at www.feliway.com  It's available at pet stores and online.  You can also try some flower essences to help calm her, and I would recommend purchasing them through www.spiritessences.com.  I'm not sure which formula would be best for your kitty, but if you email them with your situation, I'm sure they'd get right back to you.  They have always been very helpful with me.  If neither product helps, I would strongly consider a prescription antidepressant.  Options include Prozac, Buspar, Elavil and Clomicalm.  Clomicalm seems to be gaining favor for the treatment of aggressive kitties, although it is used in an off-label manner since it is only labeled for dogs right now.  Many cats only need treatment for a matter of months.  A few of my cats have needed antidepressant treatment, and none of them have needed it for longer than 6 months.  Since these medications come in generic form, they are all relatively inexpensive.

Aggression problems are more common in households with severeal cats due to territory issues.  So it's possible that adding some extra vertical space in the form of cat trees could help out a little.  Sometimes cats will claim a tree, or just a hidey hole in the tree, as their own territory, and leave everyone alone otherwise.

Good luck with her!

Jessica