Heart broken and need help with my new addition. Thanks in advance.

I have had my cat Ginger for four years. I never knew that I could love the way I love her. And it has been pretty obvious that she feels the same. Until tonight. I found a sweet little malnourished stray kitty two nights ago. Actually, it was like she picked me. I just couldn't leave her. I brought her home, put her in the bathroom with all the necessities, and $250 in vet bills later, she is back in the bathroom. The poor thing only weighed three pounds. She is starving and she's a mess. Burrs and who knows what else all over her. I'm bringing her back to vet this week to be groomed and spayed. She is so sweet. It's like she keeps saying, thank you, thank you. My problem is that my old cat (love of my life) is totally panicked and full of anguish. I feel so terrible. She won't let me near her. She tried to bite me when she smelled me. Can anyone help me with dealing with this? My first baby is my main priority but how am I going to part with the new one. Is this normal in the beginning? Will my #1 go back to her sweet loving self? Please help.

I had a friend of mine that went through the same situation. Her older cat was feeling very anguish towards the fact there was another cat around. From what she told me they just ended up getting use to each other.  but at first they fought a lot and he (older cat) was very antisocial but in time they both became pals.  But that's just her situation i don't know if others have had the same happen. I have one cat and he is very territorial I'm afraid to bring another kitty along.

Hi and welcome to TCS. Thanks for rescuing the poor stray kitty. It sounds like she probably would not have survived much longer without your help. It is good to keep them separate for now. There are introduction steps you can take to get them used to each other, but it will take time. Link to the article below. Ginger may be reacting to the fact that the new kitty is not well. I would try scent mingling as much as possible if the new kitty has tested negative for most diseases. You can try using the same brush on them or the same towel to wipe them down. You can also try putting a dab of vanilla extract on them both. The more familiar and similar the new kitty smells, the better.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats

Thank you. The poor baby is a mess. Burrs, matted, scabs, and who knows what else. I'm bringing her to vet to get groomed on Wednesday. Then I will slowly work on the introduction. I really hope this works. I can't imagine there is a big market out there for a 4lb bald kitten.