Yesterday my cat was set upon by another cat, in my garden. I didn't see what happened (just heard a terrible yowling and screaming) and it didn’t last long, but she was very upset last night, hiding in a corner and hissing at me if I went anywhere near her. That’s not too unusual if she has had a fright, she likes her space.
I expected her to be over the shock by today, and in many ways she seems to be fine: she’s eating OK, walking ok, climbing the cat tree, lets me approach her and stroke her when curled up. I have had a gentle stroke and feel all over the ‘accessible’ bits of her, and done a good visual inspection of her tummy when she was washing herself. From what I can tell, she seems fine. But if I pick her up, she will cry and hiss and growl until I put her down, and the muscles in her back seem to ripple.
She isn’t the biggest fan of being picked up, but she usually tolerates it. Could she still be shock? I’m worried she might be in pain, but I’m guessing there isn’t anything majorly serious going on considering there is nothing to be seen, she’s climbing the cat tree and eating OK? The only thing unusual is that she hasn’t been to the toilet yet today, and she normally goes in the morning.
I can’t decide how long to leave it before I take her to the vet. She absolutely hates the vet, she was visibly shaking last time I took her. I don’t want to traumatise her further, if fright is the root problem here.
How long would you leave it before taking her in?