Loco Went To Vet Today, Now Stealth Doesn't Recognize... Hissing, Growling

You guys helped me out many times, and now I need you again. Loco was dehydrated, feverish, etc. Probably a resp inf. Vet put this bag thing filled with saline under his skin that dissolves in time. Made him look real fat, and of course b'cause he's sick, he's not moving around too quick. And prolly smells weird b'cause of rubbing alcohol he got all over him by accident at vets. So now back home and Stealth is hissing, growling. Wants to beat him up. Doesn't recognize him. They've been together for 5 years... Locos whole life. Will this pass? How soon? What should I do ???? Thank you.

Hi there, use a small soft moist towel and wipe Loco’s body so that the smell from the vet’s won’t be that strong and use another new towel and rub it gently on Stealth’s head, cheeks and body. Then use the same towel that you just used on Stealth and rub it gently onto Loco.

This is to transfer Stealth’s scent onto Loco so that Loco will smell familiar to him.

Thanks so much for the idea. I tried it... we’ll see what happens. So far just a stare down from across the room. So weird. Been together for all these years and she forgets him after a few hours away and cuz he looks a bit dif and smells a bit dif. Crazy life of cats lol !

My sister has two cats that were born in the same litter. The female kitty is blind. One day after her brother got back from the vet, she smelled the vet on him and thought he was a stranger. She couldn't recognize him from his appearance, which probably made it even more confusing for her than it would be for another cat. It took some Feliway and lots of patience/time to get her to realize that he is, in fact, her brother.

I'm sure for a not-blind kitty, it'll be a much quicker process. That towel idea is a good idea. ^

It’s been overnight now and no change. Stealth started out in bed with me but Loco came up and she split after hissing a bunch. I have to go to work. Hope they’ll be ok while I’m gone. I’ll come home at lunch to check on them. I only have one litter box so can’t separate the cats for too long. I might set up a 2nd one temporary. Stealth going to vet on Sat. Maybe she’ll figure it out after she’s been scented with EuDeVet.

I'm so sorry your guys are going through this (and even more sorry that Loco is sick ). This article has some great tips for combating non recognition aggression. Good luck. I hope Loco recovers soon, and that Stealth calms down

Thank you Columbine. I’m anxious to read article you linked. Really appreciate everyone’s help :-)

My female did the same to her brother after we were in the emergency room. Initially I thought it was because he was wearing a cone (which I quickly removed anyway), but then she kept forbidding him to come near her. I don't think it has anything to do about forgetting, I think there's something about the smell of a sick cat (plus the smell of the vet) that freaks them out. Mine was very sick, his URI was relatively severe and made him cough, sneeze glob, and generally sound like a hybrid animal in agony She got over it after a few days, it seemed interminable but I don't think you can help. She just thinks he's gross and dangerous-smelling and needs the space.

Edit: Uh! Interesting. I'm reading the article about non-recognition aggression. You learn every day!

THanks for sharing Yanaka. Hope it passes soon. Wish I could be home today to supervise. Maybe just as well that I’m not there. Sometimes cats work thru their issues better without their guardians present. I’ll see them at lunch tho.

My cats did this all the time before Peanut passed away. He had kidney problems so he'd always smell weird from the testing they did.

I would wipe Peanut down with a damp cloth. He wasnt the best at cleaning at the end so it sped things up.(also worked when he just gave up cleaning half his body) If your cat won't tolerate that you can probably skip it. But then wipe both cats with a dryer sheet. They'll both smell the same for awhile and it usually lasts long enough that the vet cat will get the smell cleaned off by the time the dryer sheet smell wears off the agressive cat.

Good one ! I’ll try it.