Fighting Burmese cats

Question
Dear Barb, I hope you can help me. I have two Burmese cats brother and sister, they are desexed house cats purchased from a loving, reputable breeder and will be two years old in Jan. We have never had any problems with them, they have been loving affectionate pets to us and each other. They have never displayed even the least bit of agression to each other sleeping happily together , eating together,grooming each other and playing together. One night two days ago they had a very vicious and terrible fight downstairs while we were upstairs, both cats sustaining lots of scratches. Ever since this they will not tolerate each other and spit, yowl and try to attack  each other. We have had to separate them at night as we used to put them together in our laundry and let them out in the morning, there is no way we can do this now as I feel they might rip each others throats out. I have no idea as to what set them off and am very upset at this sudden change in their attitude towards each other. We have a large house and can keep an eye on them when we are at home but I dont know what to do when we have to go to work and dont want to have to keep locking them up in separate parts of the house. I thought after a day or so they might settle down but they have not. Both cats seem very nervous and constantly prowl around trying to avoid each other, when they do see each other they are completely vicious and want to kill each other. The female seems to be the more agressive. Will things ever get back to normal with them? Do I need to give them more time apart? What do you think could have started this sudden shift in their behaviour? I rang a  breeder who said perhaps there is a male cat hanging around outside somewhere and perhaps our cats can sense this. I desperately need some advice on what to do next, my husband is saying we will have to get rid of one or both of them if they dont work it out soon but I couldnt bear to loose them now, help! Thankyou for your time.

Answer
Hi Mandy,

This too shall pass, but it may take ahile.  The first thing I would do is bathe them in the same shampoo so they smell the very same.  When they fight, they release odors from their glands that make them smell differently.  Fear does that.  So they remember the fear when they smell each other.  Give them a couple of weeks and let them work it out.  Keep a close eye on them and make sure they are not really hurt.  Go over their bodies carefully when you pet them and feel for bumps or absesses.  If you feel any, take them to the vet.  Do that before you bathe them.  Taking them to the vet brings home a whole new set of smells.  After, when you pet them don't wash your hands when you pet one then another, let their smells get on each other.  Just give them time, patience and a whole lot of love.  They will make their way back to each other.  

Just out of curiousity, why do you lock them up in the laundry room at night?  My two are free roaming and they do just fine.  I don't understanding locking cats up.

Hugs,
Barb
redheadf99@yahoo.com