Mama cat is so aggressive nowadays that I am thinking to release her back to where I picked her

[traveil]

We picked her as a stray when she’s pregnant to let her give birth in the safety of our home and she’s really cute and cuddly then. When she gave birth, she begin to become aggressive so we brushed it off as a thought that her maternal instinct is kicking in. Her kitties are now 2 months old and she has been becoming increasingly more aggressive. The only time she doesn’t attack us is when we brush her. And the rest of the time she is either meowing for our attention, or sometimes when we walk past, she might claw us. I do not know what have triggered her. The other day we accidentally let our resident cat out and in order to save her, my sister flew in to grab her and mama cat immediately came in and scratched and bit her (my sister) hard which left deep cuts plus bites and bruises from the aftermath. I too have been scratched by her multiple times when I am trying to feed her and she just bite or scratch me for no apparent reason. It was very painful tbh. I am so scared for my resident cat and my family’s safety nowadays and I’m afraid if it goes on I’ll have to release her back to the community. I really didn’t want to do this to her but she’s now threatening our safety. It’s really my bottom line in this situation. What are your advices? Will spaying her helps in controlling her temperament?

 

[Alldara]

A spay should help. But she also might need checked for hyperthyroidism. My now late cat's mum had hyperthyroidism and it made her attack other cats and people. Once on medication she stopped.

 

[Meowmee]

You need to get her spayed asap. Has she been seen by a dvm? Whatever you do don’t release her unspayed outside. That means more kittens and misery for them all.

If you need help with that contact a tnr clinic or local shelter who can help.

It’s possible she will become less aggressive after spaying also. With an older cat who is either feral or is untouchable and living outside it can take a lot longer for them to become re socialized to people.

For now, give her her own space and a carrier where she can retreat to when she feels threatened. It sounds like this could be fear aggression, hormonal, and lack of socialization etc. It could also be a health issue. For now back off and let her be, put her food in far away from her and wear protective clothes so you can’t be scratched etc.

The kittens all need to be properly socialized and spayed/ neutered. Seen by a dvm and vaccinated etc. too. I recommend asking a local rescue and your dvm for advice.

 

[traveil]

You need to get her spayed asap. Has she been seen by a dvm? Whatever you do don’t release her unspayed outside. That means more kittens and misery for them all.

If you need help with that contact a tnr clinic or local shelter who can help.

It’s possible she will become less aggressive after spaying also. With an older cat who is either feral or is untouchable and living outside it can take a lot longer for them to become re socialized to people.

For now, give her her own space and a carrier where she can retreat to when she feels threatened. It sounds like this could be fear aggression, hormonal, and lack of socialization etc. It could also be a health issue. For now back off and let her be, put her food in far away from her and wear protective clothes so you can’t be scratched etc.

The kittens all need to be properly socialized and spayed/ neutered. Seen by a dvm and vaccinated etc. too. I recommend asking a local rescue and your dvm for advice.

Hi. I do believe she has health problems. The last vet visit last week I brought my sister along and we found out she was low on red blood count and is anaemic. Vet actually suggested we do an X-ray but my sister thinks that if she is found out of any health implications, the costs will increase higher and higher. She doesn’t want to pay hence we are given antibiotics and iron supplements for a week to observe hopefully to cure what’s hurting her internally. My sister strongly believes that by her being spayed she will get better but she’s anaemic now can she even do sterilisation? She even says that if this vet doesn’t want to do sterilisation due to her being anaemic she will find one that does. Oh god..I really regretted bringing my sister along as she rejected strongly and threatened me if I really did the xray. I do believe it’s because she’s sick that is why she is becoming so aggressive. I really want to get her check out but may I know if I really brought her back to the vet will I be seeing at least 10k vet bills which I can’t afford? I’m so tired and drained and nobody is helping me.

 

[Kris107]

If you don't have the means or support to care for the mama and kittens, can you find a rescue? They can make sure that everyone gets the veterinary care they need and all get neutered/spayed.

 

[Meowmee]

Hi. I do believe she has health problems. The last vet visit last week I brought my sister along and we found out she was low on red blood count and is anaemic. Vet actually suggested we do an X-ray but my sister thinks that if she is found out of any health implications, the costs will increase higher and higher. She doesn’t want to pay hence we are given antibiotics and iron supplements for a week to observe hopefully to cure what’s hurting her internally. My sister strongly believes that by her being spayed she will get better but she’s anaemic now can she even do sterilisation? She even says that if this vet doesn’t want to do sterilisation due to her being anaemic she will find one that does. Oh god..I really regretted bringing my sister along as she rejected strongly and threatened me if I really did the xray. I do believe it’s because she’s sick that is why she is becoming so aggressive. I really want to get her check out but may I know if I really brought her back to the vet will I be seeing at least 10k vet bills which I can’t afford? I’m so tired and drained and nobody is helping me.

No dvm will do a spay surgery on an anemic or sick cat. Unless it is an emergency delivery or something like that. An x-ray is usually only about $100-$200 depending on whether a radiologist reviews it or not. I agree that if you’re overwhelmed with everything and you can’t afford to give them the medical care they need you should contact the rescues/ shelters and try to get some help. They may take the cats in for you. I’m not sure.

It could be that there was some complication in her giving birth that is showing up now. What else did the DVM say to you? Other than that she is anemic, did they think it’s an infection?

There is no way for any of us to know what’s going on with her or predict how much this may cost. If you can get her back to the vet and at least do the x-ray that may give you a better idea, but I don’t really understand how an x-ray is going to show for sure why a cat is anemic unless it’s caused by cancer or something like that. It could be they think she has an injury also due to giving birth and that would show up, or even infection maybe. She might need an ultra sound too if it is something like that.

Again, if you think you can’t afford the care that she and the kittens are going to need it’s best to find a rescue/ shelter to help you. You could still foster them until they are old enough to be adopted and maybe have the option to keep her if she tames etc.

 

[Alldara]

She does need help. If you can find a rescue who can help you that's really the best.

 

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Hello all. I went to vet myself today secretly without letting my sister know. I requested for a blood test for her again and her blood count is back to normal. Seems like the antibiotics/iron supplements works and I also have been feeding all kinds of treats that supposedly helps in increasing blood count. I also did an X-ray which vet suggested last time and the vet assured me that normally if there is something wrong with the lungs it might be bronchiolitis/asthma and it wouldn’t cost as much unless it’s cancer. The xray result seemed normal too which I sighed with a huge relief. Vet says she might be just stressed out and she gave me some pain relief & calming meds for the time being and when i asked whether she can be vaccinated today, she said better to wait for her full recovery first then get her vaccinated. As her kittens have to get their second vaccination 2 weeks later, I will be bringing her kittens and her to get vaccinated together and it will be the last week the kittens will be together. I am so thankful I went there myself as I have not been sleeping properly the past few days worrying about her health. Even though vet says she can be vaccinated along with her sterilisation, I will be booking her spaying slot after she’s vaccinated as I found a cheaper low cost sterilisation place.

We actually do have the means of helping her but it’s just that we are afraid the costs might hit a staggering amount like a 5 figure amount which I may exaggerate. My dad told me once we decided to foster the cat we should hold responsibility for it till the end. I am so glad he supported me in today’s vet visit but I still hold on the thought if mama cat doesn’t calm down and be less aggressive, I’d still need to let her go eventually.

 

[Alldara]

That's wonderful that to were able to get that done for mamacat.

Let us know how the medications go. If she doesn't calm down after spay you can try another medication. Otherwise maybe you could find her a barn cat program rather than just releasing her.

 

[Meowmee]

Hello all. I went to vet myself today secretly without letting my sister know. I requested for a blood test for her again and her blood count is back to normal. Seems like the antibiotics/iron supplements works and I also have been feeding all kinds of treats that supposedly helps in increasing blood count. I also did an X-ray which vet suggested last time and the vet assured me that normally if there is something wrong with the lungs it might be bronchiolitis/asthma and it wouldn’t cost as much unless it’s cancer. The xray result seemed normal too which I sighed with a huge relief. Vet says she might be just stressed out and she gave me some pain relief & calming meds for the time being and when i asked whether she can be vaccinated today, she said better to wait for her full recovery first then get her vaccinated. As her kittens have to get their second vaccination 2 weeks later, I will be bringing her kittens and her to get vaccinated together and it will be the last week the kittens will be together. I am so thankful I went there myself as I have not been sleeping properly the past few days worrying about her health. Even though vet says she can be vaccinated along with her sterilisation, I will be booking her spaying slot after she’s vaccinated as I found a cheaper low cost sterilisation place.

We actually do have the means of helping her but it’s just that we are afraid the costs might hit a staggering amount like a 5 figure amount which I may exaggerate. My dad told me once we decided to foster the cat we should hold responsibility for it till the end. I am so glad he supported me in today’s vet visit but I still hold on the thought if mama cat doesn’t calm down and be less aggressive, I’d still need to let her go eventually.

That is good news. I hope you’re making sure that you have a contract to adopt the kittens out and that the people that are adopting them are going to spay and neuter them. Otherwise, you would still be better off to get a rescue to help you..

Keep in mind that an adult cat is going to take a lot longer to calm down, depending on what the causes are. It could be that her health was affecting it etc. Rather than just put her outside again, I would try to find something like a barn cat situation or someone who can spend the time with her to help her to be an indoor cat. She was affectionate and OK with being indoors when you brought her in so that strongly suggests that she can be again eventually.

If you do put her back outside again, please make sure she is vaccinated for FELV first. Because she will be at risk for that outside.

 

[traveil]

That is good news. I hope you’re making sure that you have a contract to adopt the kittens out and that the people that are adopting them are going to spay and neuter them. Otherwise, you would still be better off to get a rescue to help you..

Keep in mind that an adult cat is going to take a lot longer to calm down, depending on what the causes are. It could be that her health was affecting it etc. Rather than just put her outside again, I would try to find something like a barn cat situation or someone who can spend the time with her to help her to be an indoor cat. She was affectionate and OK with being indoors when you brought her in so that strongly suggests that she can be again eventually.

If you do put her back outside again, please make sure she is vaccinated for FELV first. Because she will be at risk for that outside.

Hi all. Today we went for a house visit of our only potential adopter house and he seems like a very nice guy and have a very nice house. We will be letting him choose to adopt 2 of our kittens. Adoption contract has already been finalised as we were following our local rescue guidelines which has a sample contract. In the contract it is mandatory for them to get sterilised and microchip when they comes of age (5-6months old for our country’s regulation). These few days mama cat is being less aggressive with us and went back to her pre-pregnancy days like rolling around on the floor and asking for brushes. I think she’s in heat which I’ll get her spayed once her kitties got adopted.

Btw, Mama cat has already been tested felv/fiv negative during her pregnancy, may I know if there is any chance of her kittens will be tested positive? They are about 11 weeks old now and will be adopted at 3 months old after their second vaccination. Adopter will follow up on their third vaccination. Should I get them retested before I send them away? They’re very healthy bunch that eats and poops well.

 

[Meowmee]

Hi all. Today we went for a house visit of our only potential adopter house and he seems like a very nice guy and have a very nice house. We will be letting him choose to adopt 2 of our kittens. Adoption contract has already been finalised as we were following our local rescue guidelines which has a sample contract. In the contract it is mandatory for them to get sterilised and microchip when they comes of age (5-6months old for our country’s regulation). These few days mama cat is being less aggressive with us and went back to her pre-pregnancy days like rolling around on the floor and asking for brushes. I think she’s in heat which I’ll get her spayed once her kitties got adopted.

Btw, Mama cat has already been tested felv/fiv negative during her pregnancy, may I know if there is any chance of her kittens will be tested positive? They are about 11 weeks old now and will be adopted at 3 months old after their second vaccination. Adopter will follow up on their third vaccination. Should I get them retested before I send them away? They’re very healthy bunch that eats and poops well.

That is good news I assume she was negative for FELVFIV?

There is a chance the tests could be wrong, but I think it would be a minimal possibility most likely- if you want to be extra careful you can test her and the kittens again. Here is a link from alley cat allies on felv- keep in mind. they are referring to outdoor community cats which hopefully all of your cats including the mom will find a home and be indoor cats.

Since she tested negative, after she gets her spay and if you were ever gonna put her back outside, I definitely would vaccinate her for it because it’s a much lower chance that she could get that when vaccinated.

That was what I did if I tnr cats and they were negative. I found a way to get them the felv vaccination, even purchased some from my Dvm at the time and the people doing the TNR clinic gave them the vaccination along with rabies and panleukopenia etc.

I don’t really understand why the outdoor TNR folks don’t try to do vaccinations for Felv.

Ally Cat Allies recommends not doing testing for them because they can be euthanized. But 3 of my cats tested positive for fiv at tnr and I did not euthanize them, they lived outdoors for three or four more years and I eventually brought them inside. Giorgio came insde when he got sick but sadly passed away. They never figured out what was wrong with him. Fred sadly passed away from anal cancer last year. And cinnamon is still doing well.

So, I did not follow the alley cat policy – I paid for the testing myself and I would prefer to know if they are infected. I have never had any of my Outdoor cats test positive for Felv so I’m assuming it’s not common in my close area.

My cats who were kittens when I adopted them or adults, whether from shelters or Quinn from his breeder were all tested negative for Fiv / felv.

Except for Wizard, who was another who came inside he had Fiv. However, he was mostly very healthy until the end of his life and he lived to be about 21 probably.

Protocols: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Testing

Not all cats with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) & Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) develop symptoms that impact their quality of life. See our FIV and FeLV test protocols.

www.alleycat.org

If there is a health issue going on, I think to be sure that a cat is really infected you need to do two snap type tests and then probably a PCR to see if they have active disease.