Bengals not getting along after trauma

bengaldad303

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Late the other night I switched laundry (which I always check before I run due to crazy Bengals). I closed the washer door out of habit, did  NOT start it, and started the dryer. My girlfriend is allergic to the cats so I don't let them in my room. Fire (the boy cat) was crying in a weird way, but I passed out just thinking he wanted in the room (which often happens). In the morning he was crying and being over loving, I came upstairs and noticed there was no Snow (girl cat). I ran around and then found her in the washer. She was on the edge of consciousness, lying pitifully (I was so freaked out that she was dead) in her own feces and urine. I pulled her out and she was very weak, and shaking, but ALIVE! I wiped her off and wrapped her up, I guessed she was in shock and seemed hypothermic. Fire was freaked out and hissing at her and now me. I rushed her to the Vet and they diagnosed her with just that, shock and hypothermia. Her temp should be 101, and she was 93.3. They gave her a cortisone shot for the shock and told me she would be fine, and to continue to keep her wrapped up and warm her up. I was able to get her to drink and eat a little. She was more herself when we went to the vet. Before that she was shaky and wobbled with walking. As the day (yesterday) progressed she recovered very well, and is back to herself today. The problem now is that Fire hisses at her and attacks her as she gets close. This is driving her crazy because she wants to go back to their previous loving playful, cuddly relationship, and she keeps approaching him. The vet said to keep them separate for a couple of days and to call Monday if there is no change. He also said something about a Pheromone something or other...not sure what he was referring to?

My question is; What should I do?!?!

Fire seems fine then smells her and hisses. Should I was her, and would that work without the right shampoo?

Should I keep them seperate or let them figure it out while I'm around?

This has been horifying , and I'm afraid I've ruined my perfect cats! Please help!
 

maewkaew

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 Poor girl!  that must have been so traumatic .!   and it doesn't help that her buddy is now against her.      I would keep them separate  for a couple days like the vet suggested.    Then at first supervise their interaction .   Don't risk  letting them maybe have a very bad encounter that will stick in their minds and make it harder to re-integrate them.  

Maybe it would be better to do a gradual re-introduction, using some of the tricks you would if you were introducing a new cat to the home.   Here's an article with some tips about that http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats

I don't thnk I would want to bathe her now,  considering what she has just been through,  that she was in shock & hypothermic.  You don't want her to get chilled.

Re pheromones ,  they might be thinking of trying  a Feliway diffusor or spray.     you can get that at most pet supply stores. 

But you can also just try to use the cats' natural pheromones.   Try rubbing his cheeks / temple with a clean cloth,  then rub that on her,   just along her sides etc.   and keep repeating.  You can do it vice versa too.  ( the idea is to try to reinforce their  family scent ...     another trick is put vanilla on both of them,  so at least they smell alike . 
 
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bengaldad303

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Thanks Maewkaew! It's so hard to separate them in my house because it's either putting them in a room or the bathroom and they meow, and meow, but you're  probably right letting them "try and figure it out" does seem to be making things potentially worse. I'll do that and call the vet again tomorrow. I hate this, my girls will be here today and their perfect cats are more like warring factions.
 

maewkaew

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 If it is any comfort,  you're by no means the first one who's had it happen that cats who are friends  act like this for a while   often after one has been at the vet , especially if they stayed overnight or had surgery.,   then the other cat thinks they smell suspicious and acts aggressive ...   and then the cats eventually end up being friends again.

 In this case,  it sounds like Fire was also very stressed out about Snow, who was probably at first crying and banging around.     and he may have been wanting to help his friend.   but then came to associate her with the stress of that night.   

Usually if they were so close, they can get back to that ,   but you need to go about it carefully and don't try to rush things. 

 If you've got your kids visiting,  that is  maybe a good opportunity for both cats to get more individual attention.   & maybe they can help with trading things with their scent on it.  feeding one cat on a towel that smells like the other cat, etc.  

 Hope things will go well. 
 
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bengaldad303

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My Vet is recommending pheromones to de-stress and reset the situation. Has anyone tried this. He also recommended bathing the sick cat to help remove the scent reminder of the trauma. So far I've been doing as Maewkaew and the link suggested, and I'm keeping them separated. This is a pain, and I now always have one on my lap and the other crying to be released. Please help me reset this situation!
 

maewkaew

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re the bathing,  just remember if you do that,  you should still try to get them back to smelling the same way afterward.   Bathing will remove whatever scent she picked up in the washer and at the vet  but it will then introduce a newer scent.   So  make sure to follow it up by rubbing them with each others scent and maybe putting vanilla on both.  

 You could also bathe both of them so they both smell like the shampoo . 

 Make sure to clip claws before bathing!  

After you have done something with trying to get a common scent,   you might try letting them both be out at once and give them both treats in the same room,  but  not right side by side,  since you don't want a situation where they both go for the same treat and end up in a squabble. 

   I've also seen it suggested to play with them  with a wand toy.    that can be a bit tricky  -- it could be very positive.  but could also lead to conflict with both going for the toy.   so you have to be very observant

 If you've got another family member or friend the cats like,   you can try  letting the cats be in the same room  with each of them getting attention from one of you.

 Meanwhile I would continue reinforcing the scent by trading blankets,  brushing cats with same brush, or petting / rubbing cats with a cloth that has the other cat's scent on it etc.

 I guess one important thing you learned is to check the washer & dryer every time you close the door even if you don't turn it on ( & thank heavens you didn't turn it on!)
 
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bengaldad303

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Great idea, I'll wash both and hopefully not bleed to death! Even better idea "clip their nails!!!" Luckily Bengals love water (at least mine), but I've never bathed them. Then I will continue re-intro techniques. I thought I learned the washer and dryer lesson, and usually I leave the door open due to humidity in the washer, but I close it so the light turns off, then usually reopen. This is what I get for rushing late at night to do some laundry (pretty much in the dark). Thanks!
 
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bengaldad303

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UPDATE: I used a pheromone diffusion and slowly tried reintegrating over and over. Each interaction seemed a little less tense until after about 3 days they were getting along! It's amazing how fragile my little ecosystem is. I'm overjoyed to have everything back in balance. Thanks for all the wisdom and help!
 
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