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multi cat household sudden aggression

16:33:32

Question
Thanks for the info Norm, shadie is a female and she has been spayed, we waited until lady was about 8 months old to have her spayed, shadie on the other hand was brought in as soon as she was a good weight.
I hope they get along again because they always used to play with each other. now shadie cant stand the sight of lady.
Just in case I confused you {Shadie is female and she is the older of the 2 around 1 1/2 years old, already spayed}

{ lady is female was the one recently taken to be spayed she is 8 months old}
Shadie wants nothing to do with Lady.

one other question is how do I stop Lady from bittinh stitches, she already took out 2?

thanks a million , Alfonso
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Followup To

Question -
I have 2 cats shadie and lady, on july 7th my girlfriend and i had lady spayed, now out of the blue shadie is being very aggressive twards lady, my girlfriend and myself.it began the minute we brought lady back from the vet what i cant understand is that shadie is attached to my hip , i walk upstairs she follows, i go to any room she follows now she wants nothing to do with me. do you have any suggestions what it could be or what we are doing wrong?

Answer -
Alfonso,

This type of thing is not uncommon.  When Lady came back from the vet she smelled different to Shadie. In time (usually a couple of weeks to a couple of months), they re-establish their relationship which may or may not be exactly the same as when Lady was spayed.

How old was Lady when you had her spayed?  How long ago was she spayed? Is Shadie neutered?  If Shadie is not neutered, I would have him neutered immediately.  A just spayed cat will feel pretty punk for a couple ofweeks (certainly until the stitches are out -- 10 to 14 days).

Some of Lady's affection may have been a result of the seasons.  The best thing, I find, is not to approach her, but let her come to you on her own terms.  Often, ignoring a cat until they are ready to approach is the best way to overcome any reticence.

You are doing nothing wrong.  It is probable, some of her behaviors towards you were hormone driven.  If the hormones are dissipated, things could be different.  You will just have to wait and see how she wants to relate to you.  If she was just spayed, she is probably not feeling very good and wants to be left alone (it is, after all, like a hysterectomy).  I would wait until the stitches are out ands see what happens when she is feeling better.

Best regards... Norm.  

Answer
Alfonso,

O.K.  I think Lady's problem is that she is uncomfortable and in a bit of pain following the surgery.  Usually after 10 -- 14 days when the stitches come out, they feel much better.

As far as keeping her from biting the stiches.  The only way I have seen work is the "elizabethan collor", a plastic cone shaped device fastened around the neck coming out past the face to prevent the cat from being able to get to any part of her body.  Cats hate it, but, if it is only going to be on a week or so, it may be the way to go.

There is a surgical technique whereby the vet actually stitches the skin so that the stitches do not show and self absorbing stitches can be used.  I have only seen one vet do this, but there was no need to take the cat back to get stiches removed.

The vet may have a product you can paint on the stitches to keep her from licking at them (something like bitter apple, but much nastier tasting), your vet may have.  Bitter apple does not seem to work very well on cats.

By my calculation, if you can tough it out until middle of next week (17JUL2006), you might be able to get her stiches out then.

Generally, once Lady feels better and smells more like Lady (to Shadie), things should calm down and return more to normal.

Best regards.... Norm.