Cats Fighting Please Help

Hi all,

I've posted a couple of issues here on thecatsite, but none have been this disturbing. I have two cats - Abby and Mya, both about 11 months old. They are litter-mate sisters, and they love each other very much. They were born to a stray cat, and spent their first 4 months together outside in the freezing cold winter. They survived by sharing food, keeping each other warm, etc. They play with each other all day, sleep together, and cry for each other when separated.

Heres the issue - they have always play fought ever since adoption. It was cute until one of them has been getting injured. I know that young cats will play fought for fun, but it has gone too far. I started to notice little scabs on both of them, but on Mya, her scabs were small, few and were on the top of her head. Abby on the other hand, has a lot of them (and heres the scary part...) all on her neck under her chin. She has so many scabs that it makes a horizontal line across her throat area. They are not visible under her hair, but you can feel the bumps with the fingers. I was very upset by this so I started to clip their nails more regularly. It seemed to have been working until today. When I got back home from some shopping, I noticed that Abby had fresh blood across her neck. It appeared that she had a gash, but its hard to tell with all her hair. I can hardly get her to sit still as she hates when I inspect her wounds. I do not want to touch her neck now because I don't want it to get infected, but I don't know if it is a gash or if its just a picked open scab.

Now, I'm not sure if the scabs have been caused by biting or scratching - or both. I don't know if the blood right now has been caused by her picking at the scab, or if Mya hurt her again. All I know is I fear for Abby's health, and I fear that the best thing to do for her is to find an alternative home for her or Mya. They literally cry non-stop when even separated by a door. When I took one to the vet, the other cried all day until she came back. They are best buds.

Ever since I noticed the cuts on her neck, she has never seemed any different. She has never seemed to be in any pain whatsoever, and I never see her fuss with her neck. Are the wounds on her neck not really bothering her? Should I rush her to an emergency vet? Please help!!

If she's not actively bleeding it's probably not an emergency, but she should be checked to make sure it's not infected.

When they fight, is it vocal? That's usually how a cat will signal another cat it's getting too rough. It's possible they don't know the signals and that's how things are getting out of hand.

Are there any stresses in the house that would make them take it out on each other?

Flea allergies can cause injuries like you describe. Have they been checked? For ear mites, too? That can make a cat tear at their own skin.

Originally Posted by Werebear

If she's not actively bleeding it's probably not an emergency, but she should be checked to make sure it's not infected.

When they fight, is it vocal? That's usually how a cat will signal another cat it's getting too rough. It's possible they don't know the signals and that's how things are getting out of hand.

Are there any stresses in the house that would make them take it out on each other?

Flea allergies can cause injuries like you describe. Have they been checked? For ear mites, too? That can make a cat tear at their own skin.

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Abby has had an infection in the past, but this looks nothing like that. Her past infection included a runny puss (gross), this time her scabs look pretty clean. I will get her checked regardless though.

When they fight they do get vocal, but never hiss. It's usually just a light screech, they break it up for a few seconds and then go right at it again.

As for stresses, not much has changed lately. They have multiple cat boxes to choose, all with fresh litter. Fresh food hard and soft available to them - clean water. I don't think they are being territorial.

Both of the babies have been checked for fleas and ear mites a few weeks ago during a routine vet visit, and they were both clear .

Ya Id check for the ear mite thing. Look for little pieces of black stuff in their ears!

Hmmmm, Are they fixed?

Yup they're spayed..

I just got a better look at Abby, and it appears that she doesn't have a gash, but her previous scabs have been opened. I actually don't know if Mya or Abby is the culprit for picking them open, but it worries me regardless.

My cat got the same thing. Scratches on his neck. I took him to a vet, he was put on oral antibiotic. You might want to take your cat to a vet to see what they recommend to do. With my cat, I am pretty sure he scratches himself, although I also have two cats. The vet actually tried to convince me my other cat was biting him, but I've never seen any biting. I've seen the sick cat scratching himself with his back paws though. If my cat is allergic to something it's not fleas because he doesn't have any.

Originally Posted by jenniferd

My cat got the same thing. Scratches on his neck. I took him to a vet, he was put on oral antibiotic. You might want to take your cat to a vet to see what they recommend to do. With my cat, I am pretty sure he scratches himself, although I also have two cats. The vet actually tried to convince me my other cat was biting him, but I've never seen any biting. I've seen the sick cat scratching himself with his back paws though. If my cat is allergic to something it's not fleas because he doesn't have any.

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Did the oral antibiotic work out?