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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Advice needed - female cat has been at the vet, male cat really upset.

34 replies

googoodolly · 30/05/2015 06:49

Background: We have two 2 year old cats that are brother and sister. They came from a litter of six and we've had them since they were 12 weeks old. They're indoor cats and have no outdoor access due to us living in a flat.

On Wednesday, we had to take the girl cat to the vets. Turns out she had a septic uterus, and they kept her in overnight for an emergency operation to remove it the next day. Operation went well and she came home Thursday night. However, she's had a cone on her to stop her licking her wound and as a result she's pretty miserable - she's eating/drinking fine but has spent most of the time sat with one of us on the sofa dozing.

Her brother, however, is NOT happy. He wants to play/see her and doesn't understand why he can't. She's feeling vulnerable and has started hissing at him and getting defensive when he comes close, but this just results in him looking lost and miserable and last night he was really upset that they had to be separated overnight to keep her calm.

Any advice what we can do?? I'm shattered from him being up most of the night crying for his sister, but we can't leave them together because she's so scared at the moment. They never fought or had issues before this.

TIA Smile

OP posts:
RubbishMantra · 30/05/2015 07:20

Was her uterus not removed when she was spayed? (that's the case in UK) Or if she hasn't been spayed, she could be defensive about him mounting her?

Original poster
googoodolly · 30/05/2015 07:24

She wasn't spayed before because she was our flatmates cat (although we lived with them). He was a pretty negligent owner but wouldn't let us take them to the vets until he moved out and dumped them on us.

He hasn't tried to mount her - just whenever he comes near her or in her line of sight, she hisses and her ears go back and she cowers backwards.

OP posts:
PeaceOfWildThings · 30/05/2015 07:27

You just have to keep them apart for hwr safety and he has to get used to it. If he's kicking up a fuss, I'd isolate him but if he will be consoled with your company, you could isolate her in a room on her own and let him stay with you. If he won't let you sleep, then he gets a room to himself as well.

RubbishMantra · 30/05/2015 07:37

Yes, I agree about keeping them apart. It's likely that her uterus became infected (pyometra) from a pregnancy from her brother. is he neutered now? Otherwise he'll keep trying to shag her.

Lonecatwithkitten · 30/05/2015 08:09

The way he sees it she
Disappeared for a period
On return smells different
Looks different
He is not certain she is the same cat.
Feliway plug in can really help them in this situation.

Original poster
googoodolly · 30/05/2015 08:55

He's been neutered since he was a kitten, so no chance of a pregnancy. It was only her that wasn't spayed.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 30/05/2015 09:05

Give it some time for her to get rid of the nasty smell and wait until she can lose the hated cone. It should be fine after that.

Original poster
googoodolly · 30/05/2015 09:07

thanks cozie Smile

OP posts:
lljkk · 30/05/2015 09:09

Well, you could have had her spayed in the last 9 months. I realise why you thought you didn't need to bother. Maybe the fighting problems will settle down now that she's not so hormonal smelling.

Original poster
googoodolly · 30/05/2015 09:12

Not really Confused they weren't our cats until literally a few days ago. Yes, we've had them in our flat for over two years but they were in the ex-flatmate's name and he refused to let us get her spayed.

OP posts:
Charis1 · 30/05/2015 09:15

get some feliway

cozietoesie · 30/05/2015 09:20

Feliway might well help indeed - it's not a permanent solution but then I don't think you have a permanent problem. Just a blip to get over and the Feliway might help Boycat in paticular to do that.

ilovemargaretatwood8931 · 30/05/2015 09:22

Cats do sometimes (often in my experience) 'turn against' and become hostile to their (cat) companions if they can tell that they're ill/ have been ill.

My first 2 cats were brothers and loved each other to bits, so it was terribly sad when one became very ill, his brother started ignoring him and wouldn't sit with him, and it was so sad to watch. Apparently it's natural and cat instinct to do with survival.

As your cat gets better, hopefully her brother will start to come around. I'd advise neutering the male asap too. Best wishes and hope she's well soon.

Original poster
googoodolly · 30/05/2015 09:30

thanks for all the kind words Smile she's okay in herself just hating the cone!

OP posts:
lljkk · 30/05/2015 09:31

ah, I misunderstood your threads from last year, thought your housemate was evicted long time ago, before September anyway.

Original poster
googoodolly · 30/05/2015 09:33

He was, but there were issues with him wanting the cats/not wanting them. Long story but they're officially mine now!

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 30/05/2015 11:16

When is she likely to get her cone off?

Original poster
googoodolly · 30/05/2015 11:41

Well, we just got back from the vet - they gave us a spray for the wound that tastes bitter to avoid her licking it. The cone is off for now as she wasn't eating anything with it on, but we have it with us incase.

OP posts:
6cats3gingerkittens · 30/05/2015 15:07

My little girl was at the vets last week for spaying. When she came home all the other cats promptly washed her all over as she stank of the vets and antiseptics.
When she smelt of home they left her alone. Just keep them apart. Your boy probably finds her a bit scary but she will soon be "acceptable" to him again. Good luck and purrs to your girl

Stinkersmum · 30/05/2015 15:14

It'll be fine in a couple of days. Don't worry.

SilverNightFairy · 30/05/2015 16:02

I have a boy cat who gets very upset and hostile whenever one our other kitties has returned from the vet. He hisses and stalks the vet goer for a day or so. I'm guessing he smells non familiar odours on the other cat and gets all worked up.

Original poster
googoodolly · 30/05/2015 20:19

Well, unfortunately her wound has split AGAIN, so it's back to the vets tomorrow for anaesthetic and proper stitches. I don't know why they insisted on glueing in the first place but there you go Hmm

cozie would you recommend keeping her isolated when she gets back tomorrow and for how long?

OP posts:
SilverNightFairy · 30/05/2015 23:16

I'm so sorry for your girl..hope she will get fixed up and feel better soon!

Original poster
googoodolly · 31/05/2015 09:40

thank you! we're off to the vets at 11 with her Smile

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 31/05/2015 10:40

Poor lass. Good luck to her.

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