what to do?...my cat attacked me....he has never acted this way????

Question
I have a 10 month old male indoor cat who I have had since he was 4 weeks old...bottle feed him until he was able to eat normal food....anyways...today the attack occurred when I got a suitcase out of my closet under the stairs...I had it in the hallway opening up the zippers checking if anything was in it...all of a sudden he ludged at me...hissing growling and scratching he got me pretty good...I finally was able to get outside away from him, but when he heard my voice talking 2 my boys to put him in a room and put the suitcase back in the closet...he came charging for the door at me...if the glas wasn't there he would have got me again...they finally got him in a bedroom with water and food...I have no idea what triggered this behavior from my usually sweet cat...I have had this suitcase for a few years now...and a couple of years ago did have some other cats that use to B around it...and my cat now has been around in the past when I have left the closet door opened and he went exploring....I have no idea what to do...my sons have tired to let him out of the room...me in my own room just so he wouldn't attack me....but it is very hostle and if he hears my voice he starts to go crazy and meows and even tries to get in my room...so he is in the bedroom till I can figure out what to do...the suitcase is back in the closet and the door is shut....please help me...love my cat so much but I'm very scared of him right now and what he'll do...if he sees me agian

Answer
Tina,

Wow! What an experience! If the closet under the stairway was poorly lit, it is possible he didn't recognize you and was protecting the boys.

It is very rare but there is a disease known as Mad Cat Disease which is very similar to the Mad Cow Disease where cats suffer from embolisms in the brain which causes them to go crazy.

I would keep the cat locked up for a while to let him calm down. Then slowly go to him with a dish of tuna so he associates you with something pleasant and not something negative.

If he shows any further signs of aggression I would take him to the vet. That kind of aggression can also signify severe pain.

Tabbi