Cat With Severe Misdirected Aggression/Hypersensitivity...at wit's end

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Chaplin

883301

Purred: Thu Apr 12, '12 8:25pm PST


	Hi all--thanks everyone for your supportive words. Another episode tonight. I think he's still really wound up/on-edge from yesterday's episode. My other male cat, Chaplin, seems to use Dylan's vulnerability to terrorize him by hiding in dark places (under the stairs, beneath chairs, etc) and swatting at Dylan as he walks by. This can tip Dylan over the edge when he's already on edge. Tonight, Dylan was walking through the dark hallway on the way to the kitty fountain, and Chaplin swatted at him. Dylan yowled in warning and things seemed alright...but then Chaplin did his "panic streak" where he tears out across the wood floor (usually just in fun), and Dylan went into a total tizzy. In fact, I'm beginning to wonder if Chaplin's antagonistic behavior is part of the problem. There are days when I have to escort Dylan to the litterbox in the basement, because otherwise, Chaplin will hide under the basement stairs and attack Dylan as he leaves, which, in turn, makes Dylan not want to use the box. I've actually recently witnessed Dylan HISSING and GROWLING as he runs up the stairs--even when Chaplin isn't around. I know he does this because he's afraid. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I could do to help maintain peace between Chaplin and Dylan?? They used to be BEST FRIENDS when Chaplin was a kitten...and then as soon as I had Chaplin neutered and he came home from the vet smelling strange (years and years ago), Dylan flipped out on him and things have never been the same. Could this strained relationship be a contributing factor to Dylan's insanity?? And is there anything that can be done, short of keeping them permanently separated?? Once again, I managed to coax Dylan into his carrier and remove him to a dark, quiet room. I put his kitty bed in there in case he wants to get in it later. Any suggestions for preventing Chaplin from being an unnecessary aggressor would be great...

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Chaplin

883301

Purred: Thu Apr 12, '12 10:58pm PST


	Adding this: I just checked on Dylan and he came cautiously out of "his" room...I offered him some kitty treats and pets and he started purring, so I led him into the kitchen where I normally keep his bed. I really do think it's Chaplin that's triggering these episodes, because was peering around every corner and looking really "hard" down hallways/down the basement stairs, as though he was terrified Chaplin would appear. I petted him and soothed him and he laid down in his bed, but he just kept swiveling his head here and there, making sure Chaplin wasn't coming. I feel SO SORRY for Dylan...he really seems totally traumatized. I know Dylan and Chaplin have gotten into a couple of major brawls in the past 8 years or so...but they always cooled down (though never seemed to reconcile). Dylan never jabs back or swats when Chaplin is aggravating him or frightening him by running pell-mell across the house. Instead, Dylan just shrinks back and starts hissing/growling, then amps up until he's targeting every moving thing in the vicinity. Dylan finally settled down enough to fall asleep. At this point, I'm wondering what I could do that would make him feel most secure. I have an enclosed back porch where the cats usually go to sleep when the weather is warm or mild. There is a table that has a view to the outside, and that is where Chaplin and Screamer (the little female) sleep almost all day, every day. Dylan's bed is usually on the floor below the table because he is too old/chubby to jump up onto the table. I moved his bed into the kitchen when the nights got colder because the back porch gets too cold for sleeping. In the kitchen, he can keep an eye on most of the comings/goings in the house, but I think that might be making him more nervous. On the back porch, however, Chaplin is always "above" him on the table, so I thought that might be intimidating him. Should I try to find Dylan a covered bed so that he can sleep and feel more secure, or do you think that would make him feel trapped?? Should I try retraining him to go into the most un-used room in the house? The cats don't ever venture into the living room unless it's winter time. Perhaps I could move his bed into there and teach him to sleep there so that there'd be a greater chance he wouldn't have to deal with Chaplin while he's trying to rest. When he's not sleeping on the porch table, Chaplin has a rubbermaid tub in the basement where he tends to sack out. When he's down there (out of sight, out of mind), Dylan lets his guard down and really seems to relax. There's just no viable way to keep them separated, short of locking Dylan in a room by himself for the rest of his life. Chaplin can't be locked in a room because he will literally tear the door down trying to escape. Right now, I'm wide open to suggestions.

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Monster

It's all about- me.

Purred: Fri Apr 13, '12 2:35pm PST


	Hi there. Seems like have a good handle on what's causing Dylan's distress. Though he's reacting to frightening stimulus like any cat would, he is taking it to the extreme because his anxiety level is so high. Another poster recommended "My Cat From Hell" TV show. Jackson Galaxy is the most amazing behaviorist I've ever seen or spoken to. Go to his website jacksongalaxy.com and see if you can pick up any tips. In the first season of his show, he dealt with two cats who were clashing. He recommended that the owners create an "elevated highway" around the room so that the anxious cat wouldn't have to come down on the floor and cross paths with the other one. He divides cats into two categories: tree dwellers - the ones that like to be high up to watch their surroundings; bush dwellers - cats who prefer to be on the ground. If Dylan is a tree dweller, he might feel more secure with a cat tree or some other tall thing in one room. If he can't jump to the top, perhaps you could build stairs or put something against it that he could climb. If he's a bush dweller, then he would like hiding places on the floor - a bed with a hood, some cardboard boxes, etc. Also, see if you can arrange the house so the litter boxes are scattered throughout, so he won't have to meet up with Chaplin there. Cats feel very vulnerable using the litter box. You might also want to talk to the vet about a course of Prozac. Amitriptyline, as you have found, makes animals extremely dopey. Prozac takes their anxiety level down without zoning them out. Going back to Jackson Galaxy, he does phone/video consultations, and if you could get an appointment I'd highly, highly recommend it. I think he's brilliant. It's hard to get time with him these days, and it's expensive, but it's so worth it. Much luck to you. Please feel free to pawmail me if you like. My mom reads all my messages! Monster

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Chaplin

883301

Purred: Sat Apr 14, '12 1:29pm PST


	It's been three days, and Dylan is still in an extremely agitated state of mind. It's like he doesn't even recognize me anymore--he's terrified and lashes out when I so much as look at him. He is so scared that he can barely move...all he does is yowl, growl, hiss, scream, and cower. I feel SO SORRY for him...he has to be completely confused. I don't even think he knows where he is anymore. I made a frantic call to the vet this morning, and the vet gave me some tranquilizers (Acepromazine) and some pain medication (in case he's hurting for some reason). I put them in pill pockets in wet food. I had to leave the house and I shut Dylan in the basement, which has a lockable kitty door. I locked the kitty door, but when I got back, my other two kitties had somehow UNLATCHED the door and gotten into the basement. I'm not sure if Dylan ate the Ace pills or if the other two kitties got to them. Other two kitties don't seem sedated...but neither does Dylan. He's lying in his bed now (rather than cowering in the corner), but he still hisses and yowls when I approach him. He can take up to three Ace pills in a day, so I put another plate of canned food with a pill in it on the floor, and I'm hoping he'll eat it soon. If the Ace doesn't work to bring him down out of this rage he's in, I have no clue what I'm going to do. The GOOD NEWS is that I found out there's a mobile vet in town who not only comes on weekends, but also specializes in cat behavior. I'm going to try to get her to come out tomorrow to hopefully have a look at Dylan. I'm not sure how much she can do if he's still going mad, but perhaps she could sedate him somehow so that she can do an examination. I'm so, so worried right now. He's gone on "anger jags" before...but they've never, ever lasted this long or been this intense.

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littleboy

king of my home

Purred: Sun Apr 15, '12 1:40am PST


	So sorry I just now read all your post I have never dealt with anything like this, just wanted to say I am sorry and I hope things get better. It does souond like the little porch enclosure might be a nice comfortable place for him away from the other kitties.

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Maizy

I may meow to- you if you're- worthy

Purred: Sun Apr 15, '12 2:36pm PST


	I feel so bad for you. It must be so frustrating, and you are such a good kitty mom. Not everyone would have done all you are doing to help your kitty. It almost seems kind of like when a little kid gets so frustrated & does not know how to express their feelings, so they have a throw down tantrum. Dylan must be so frightened & prob doesn't even want to react he way he does, he just does not know what else to do. Have you tried feliway at all or a calming collar? I wish I had a magic answer for you, I really do. Please know we are sending thoughts & support. Hopefully the mobile vet can get you some answers. I definitely think a behaviorist is needed.

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littleboy

king of my home

Purred: Tue Apr 17, '12 7:34pm PST


	Hi just wanted to see how things are going? I had a thought about the tension between the two kitties and I wonder if you could try to re-introduce them to each other you know like you would if they were two new kitties that just met and are going to have to learn to live together??? I read some years ago as I was working booboo and little boy (who became really close) that some times an event will cause so much tension that the kitties have to be introduced as new kitties just as if they had never met. It could take weeks or sometimes months depending on the kitty personalities. Please pawmail if this is something you want to try. I can give you lots of information on how to do this, we have been through it a few times now and little boy struggles with changes in the kitty household

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Natasha

Princess Forever

Purred: Tue Apr 17, '12 10:18pm PST


	When Natasha became scared of me, it was heart breaking. It wasn't her. I knew her to be a sweet cat. I blamed Alex for attacking her. I had three litter boxes but they were placed in the same place. Then, I scattered them around the house so she could go without him attacking her. I remember one day that she let out a howl that sounded like she was being killed. She was so frightened of Alex. I think that the pressure in her eye was dreadful. I kept bringing her to the vet and they found nothing. It took some time before her health issue was found. I even had both cats on Prozac for several months and it takes a couple of months to get them off that meds. You can't simply go off it; it has to be decreased over time. Natasha would face the wall and not look at me. Once the health issue was resolved; she was fine until the cancer returned. During her last year, she became the sweet girl whom I knew. She would sleep with me every night. ...So I do recommend, placing several litter boxes in different areas. Get a cat tree....Natasha was a cat tree girl and we had none for a long time. She loved to look down at Alex. Be always calm. I know this is tough on you but it is tough on the cats too. By the way, I found the meds helped a bit but time and health issue helped more. ...This place is also a good release for you to voice your problems. You are not alone. Cats aren't afraid because they want to be. Something triggers it.

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Buster

Princess-Bustah-- Cat

Purred: Wed Apr 18, '12 5:19pm PST


	I'm sorry that you and Dylan are having such a rough time. I wanted to add a warning about Acepromazine...at least in dogs, when it is used as a sedative, it does nothing to actually calm the dog down...it only immobilizes him...so that dog could be panicking on the inside, yet be unable to move because of the drug.

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Chaplin

883301

Purred: Mon Apr 30, '12 6:32pm PST


	Everyone: I'm so sorry for the lack of responses. Things have been pretty rough lately... A mobile vet came to look at Dylan. She did bloodwork, urine, fecal, etc, and it looked great. She is 99% certain Dylan has a VERY severe case of Hypersthesia. He has almost every symptom in the book, though his is less grooming-compulsive and more, unfortunately, aggressive-compulsive. He has been having episodes almost daily, now. I have worked hard to integrate lots of play therapy with a wand, and have Feliway diffusers all over the house. There is rescue remedy in all the water bowls. The slightest little thing sets him off, now, though. Yesterday, it was because I dropped a single potato chip on the floor. The day before that, it was because I simply walked into the house from outside. Now that I know it's most likely a very serious case of hypersthesia, though, there's just not much that can be done from a behavior perspective, because the problem seems to be mainly neurological. I can't stop walking around in my house (which also sets him off, sometimes). I've already stopped having friends over. My boyfriend and I are walking on eggshells. I would isolate him in the living room, but the stress of being behind a closed door has, lately, made things even worse for him. I know people on this forum aren't too keen on using drugs to manage a difficult cat...but the mobile vet has suggested a regimen of Prozac. The fact of the matter is, Dylan was managing great on Clomipramine for a long time...and then it just stopped working. Same with the Amytriptiline, which worked for a year and then just stopped. I know that almost all cats with severe hypersthesia DO require drug intervention...maybe Dylan just builds up a resistance to these. Maybe the Prozac will work. I feel so sad and lost right now. As soon as I can save up the money, I'm going to try the acupuncture the mobile vet recommended. I don't want to put Dylan to sleep. I love him dearly...I feel like I'm doing everything I can, and I feel like everything I can do is not enough. I've already severely altered my life and asked my boyfriend to live with a cat that has tried to attack him several times...I just wish there were an easy answer.

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