Attack Kitty

[LisaT1]

Hi Everyone,
I acquired my new kitty from a re-homing site on FB. When I went to pick him up, he head butted me on my leg and seemed like a happy-go-lucky boy. The man who gave him to me was taking care of business for a woman who had recently moved into an assisted care facility in another state. He didn't know much information about the kitty - I've named him Spencer - other than he's old and they called him "the Old Man", and his prior owner before the old woman had passed away. I got him into the carrier with a bit of a fight. He scratched the man on his hand pretty badly. He was totally okay during the 40-minute car ride. As soon as I let him out of the carrier in my apartment, he attacked me, biting and scratching me and kept it up all through the night. Whenever I got up to go say, into the bathroom, he blocked the doorway and bit me on the legs. It continued on like this like I said, all night. I had to go to Urgent Care for the scratches and bites, and they gave me 2 antibiotics in case of infection. It was a good thing I had gotten my tetanus shot a month before. He must have been absolutely terrified! Since that night, he's calmed down A LOT, and has only bitten and scratched me a few times. My question is, how am I going to get him into the carrier for his vet appointment coming up on 11/25? He limps, winces when I touch his fur, has a growth on top of his head and on his shoulder, his coat is unkept, has bad dandruff in one spot on his back, his pupils are constantly huge, and he needs his nails trimmed. The man had no idea if he's had any shots, so the vet's office is going to treat this appointment as if he were a kitten and give him all his shots on the 25th. I'm afraid to put him in his carrier, and then let him out of the carrier when we're back home. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you in advance.

 

[amethyst]

I would try to desensitize him to the carrier as much as you can before the appointment. Have it out all the time with a soft blanket or pillow in it so it just looks like a covered bed. Toss treats into the carrier, sprinkle some catnip inside, and feed him near or ideally in the carrier (but I realize eating meals in the carrier is unlikely to work on such a short time frame). If he is playful and likes teaser/wand toys you can use those to encourage him to go into the carrier after the toy since you can keep it moving unlike just a toss toy. I would also advise getting some thick welding gloves, just in case you end up having to grab him to get him in the carrier and he lashes out at you. You can work on rebuilding trust after he has been checked out.

Also for the appointment make sure the vet office is aware he is a scared kitty that will lash out, that way they know ahead of time and can be ready. Things like having you wait in the car until an exam room is ready so you go directly in for example can make a difference vs sitting in the waiting room with other animals.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi and welcome to TCS! You are an incredible person to assume the care of this cat! This sounds like a very scared cat who has had a lot of upheaval in his life, especially recently. And, who knows what his past owner(s) were like. I am glad that he has calmed down some, and hope he continues to do so.

Other than the suggestions above, which you may not have enough time between now and the vet appt. to accomplish desensitization, if you have a good rapport with the vet, and if you explain the situation, they may give you some gabapentin in advance of the vet visit. Gabapentin is often used to help calm down a cat before a vet visit.

 

[LisaT1]

I would try to desensitize him to the carrier as much as you can before the appointment. Have it out all the time with a soft blanket or pillow in it so it just looks like a covered bed. Toss treats into the carrier, sprinkle some catnip inside, and feed him near or ideally in the carrier (but I realize eating meals in the carrier is unlikely to work on such a short time frame). If he is playful and likes teaser/wand toys you can use those to encourage him to go into the carrier after the toy since you can keep it moving unlike just a toss toy. I would also advise getting some thick welding gloves, just in case you end up having to grab him to get him in the carrier and he lashes out at you. You can work on rebuilding trust after he has been checked out.

Also for the appointment make sure the vet office is aware he is a scared kitty that will lash out, that way they know ahead of time and can be ready. Things like having you wait in the car until an exam room is ready so you go directly in for example can make a difference vs sitting in the waiting room with other animals.

Thank you for your response! I've had his carrier out for a week now, and have a nice soft towel inside it. I definitely will put treats inside so he can associate it as a nice place, but I think what might get him in it is if I put catnip inside. He loves catnip! Big thick gloves is a great idea. I'll get some for sure! I'll make it a point to let the vet know that he might lash out. Thank you so much for all of your ideas. I'll follow through with all of them!

 

[LisaT1]

Hi and welcome to TCS! You are an incredible person to assume the care of this cat! This sounds like a very scared cat who has had a lot of upheaval in his life, especially recently. And, who knows what his past owner(s) were like. I am glad that he has calmed down some, and hope he continues to do so.

Other than the suggestions above, which you may not have enough time between now and the vet appt. to accomplish desensitization, if you have a good rapport with the vet, and if you explain the situation, they may give you some gabapentin in advance of the vet visit. Gabapentin is often used to help calm down a cat before a vet visit.

I've asked the vet if they could prescribe something I could give to him before the appt, but since he hasn't been seen there yet, they can't. What I'm really hoping they'll give me is a pain med for him. I know he's achy, and with that limp and being so sensitive to a touch, he must be in pain. Thank you for your response!

 

[Kris107]

A larger crate could be helpful too. Sometimes the cat sized ones are hard if the cat "starfishes". That's great you already know he likes catnip. Finding a cat's motivation is really helpful. I'm sad he's in such a bad way, but glad you're prioritizing the vet. Sounds like he really needs some medical attention. When he feels better his temperament might change for the better. Also, you can try setting him up in a smaller space for a bit. Let him get really comfortable with a space. It's all new to him - sounds, smells, voices, family schedule, furniture, space... It's a lot. Glad you took him in though! He needs someone calm and patient who will get him the care he needs. I feel like he'll learn that you are there to help him and he'll warm up with time.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Also, you can try setting him up in a smaller space for a bit. Let him get really comfortable with a space.

Annnnnnd...I came here to say this! He's frightened, he's been through a LOT of changes. It will take time for him to trust that this is forever, and it is good.

 

[ArtNJ]

Two people help a lot. The big carrier and desensitization suggestions are great. I've used a towel. Its not easy though. We all understand that.

My brother and his partner once voluntarily let out their cat in a hotel room driving cross country. They ended up calling 911 for help. The firemen helped capture the cat and sent them on their way with a laugh and a smile. Apparently, it took the firemen quite a while and it was a tremendous circus. Not recommended lol.

The only thing I didn't see mentioned is that sometimes a vet will prescribe a tablet of gabapentin or something to take the edge off for the trip. Whether it actually does anything is a YMMV situation. And of course, you have to somehow get the cat to eat it. Put it in a pill pocket and hope for the best I suppose.

 

[inkysmom]

You mentioned his pupils are huge all the time. My cat's pupils are huge all the time and I just found out at a routine vet visit that he's mostly or totally blind and has been for a while. High blood pressure caused detached retinas which caused the blindness which may or may not be partially reversible with blood pressure meds.
If that's the case, between being in pain and blind and in a new unfamiliar environment with new people could be freaking him out along with all the other recent changes and losses.
Make sure you talk to him a lot so he knows where you are and don't touch him without talking to him first so he's not surprised and feels like he's he's being ambushed/attacked.
My cat is 14 and I've had him since I found him on a busy street at 3 months old so he's extremely bonded to me and always very clingy.
He constantly vocalizes nonstop all day and night trying to find me and be as close as he can be.
Have the vet check his sight they should anyway. And talk to him constantly to help bond with him.
You can check yourself by waving your finger in front of each eye to see if he blinks or reacts. Don't graze his eye whiskers because that'll get a reaction from touch. You can also put a bright light right over him to see if his pupils constrict at all.

Bumping into things and jumping don't mean much because cats use their other senses. My cat runs and plays and wrestles with the other cat, races around the place and jumps headfirst on and off my bed and other furniture with no issues at all. Never misses the kitty litters and always goes right to the food and water bowls.

 

[Hellenww]

My vet offers towels sprayed with feliway to put over the carrier. Now I spay the cushion in the carrier before going. This might make the carrier more attractive while you have it out. A lot of people have had success using the plug-in for stressed cats.

Top-opening carriers are also easier than the front open ones.

 

[LisaT1]

You mentioned his pupils are huge all the time. My cat's pupils are huge all the time and I just found out at a routine vet visit that he's mostly or totally blind and has been for a while. High blood pressure caused detached retinas which caused the blindness which may or may not be partially reversible with blood pressure meds.
If that's the case, between being in pain and blind and in a new unfamiliar environment with new people could be freaking him out along with all the other recent changes and losses.
Make sure you talk to him a lot so he knows where you are and don't touch him without talking to him first so he's not surprised and feels like he's he's being ambushed/attacked.
My cat is 14 and I've had him since I found him on a busy street at 3 months old so he's extremely bonded to me and always very clingy.
He constantly vocalizes nonstop all day and night trying to find me and be as close as he can be.
Have the vet check his sight they should anyway. And talk to him constantly to help bond with him.
You can check yourself by waving your finger in front of each eye to see if he blinks or reacts. Don't graze his eye whiskers because that'll get a reaction from touch. You can also put a bright light right over him to see if his pupils constrict at all.

Bumping into things and jumping don't mean much because cats use their other senses. My cat runs and plays and wrestles with the other cat, races around the place and jumps headfirst on and off my bed and other furniture with no issues at all. Never misses the kitty litters and always goes right to the food and water bowls.

Omg, I didn't realize he could be blind. I had read that the large pupils could be from high blood pressure, but I didn't know that leads to blindness. I will definitely make sure I don't scare him with touching him without saying something first! I do talk to him quite a bit, but his tail twitches like he would rather I be quiet. I'll try the waving my finger in front of his eye to see if he blinks as soon as I get home tonight. Poor baby! I don't think he's fully blind because he walks around things and doesn't bump into anything. Thank you so much for your information!

 

[LisaT1]

My vet offers towels sprayed with feliway to put over the carrier. Now I spay the cushion in the carrier before going. This might make the carrier more attractive while you have it out. A lot of people have had success using the plug-in for stressed cats.

Top-opening carriers are also easier than the front open ones.

Thank you very much for the tip!!

 

[inkysmom]

Omg, I didn't realize he could be blind. I had read that the large pupils could be from high blood pressure, but I didn't know that leads to blindness. I will definitely make sure I don't scare him with touching him without saying something first! I do talk to him quite a bit, but his tail twitches like he would rather I be quiet. I'll try the waving my finger in front of his eye to see if he blinks as soon as I get home tonight. Poor baby! I don't think he's fully blind because he walks around things and doesn't bump into anything. Thank you so much for your information!

My blind cat never bumps into anything either and he runs and jumps on and off furniture headfirst and I never had any clue that he couldn't see except for the vocalizing and constantly dilated pupils. I have no idea how long he's been blind except that he saw a vet a year ago and they didn't mention anything so I hope they would have checked his sight.
Yes high blood pressure causes their retinas to detach which causes the blindness. That's what happened to my cat.
Cats use their hearing, smell and whiskers to get around so don't bump into things and accommodate very well to blindness so it's very difficult to tell unless they suddenly go blind and get scared.
If his pupils don't constrict to light and are constantly dilated even in bright light that's a sign that he can't see since this is an automatic reaction.

 

[FeebysOwner]

There is a condition called iris atrophy which disables restriction of the pupils but doesn't cause blindness. Feeby had that and could see perfectly fine. There isn't anything to do about it, as far as I know. The vet will be able to identify this condition when you have your cat checked out. But, if he should be blind, I am quite sure the vet will want to check his blood pressure as it will still need to be treated to preclude it from causing heart issues.

 

[inkysmom]

There is a condition called iris atrophy which disables restriction of the pupils but doesn't cause blindness. Feeby had that and could see perfectly fine. There isn't anything to do about it, as far as I know. The vet will be able to identify this condition when you have your cat checked out. But, if he should be blind, I am quite sure the vet will want to check his blood pressure as it will still need to be treated to preclude it from causing heart issues.

I wish my cat had that and could still see. Plus giving him a pill daily for high blood pressure is not easy.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I wish my cat had that and could still see. Plus giving him a pill daily for high blood pressure is not easy.

Although no correlation to the iris atrophy, Feeby still ended up on BP meds. I crushed her med (Amlodipine) and mixed it with a bite of baby food meat (Gerber Stage 2 or Beechnut Stage 1), or one of many lickable treats that are available, and she took it pretty well. For the baby food meat, I split a jar (2.5oz) into multiple servings and put them in condiment cups with lids. I froze them, and then took one out of the freezer each day, set it in a small dish of hot water to thaw it. It usually thawed in about 2 minutes.

I'd ask the vet if the dilated pupils should restrict again once on the proper dose of BP meds. Not sure if they should/would stay dilated all the time from detached retinas.