Is Nala Ava Marie sick?

so glad she is better

Happy news

God, she looks so much like my Lucky there. So glad she is feeling better!

I definitely think cats can get little "colds" or "bugs" that aren't a full-on "sickness" - just like we do!

Our baby, Orange Juice, is about 8 months old.  Normally, he is in KITTEN MODE and rampages through the house, harassing anyone whose path he crosses!  He is always very high energy level, wanting me to chase him and doing acrobatic moves in the kitchen     A couple months ago, there was a strange week where he just seemed.....depressed or something.   No obvious signs of illness, used the litterbox fine, he just seemed tired & drained.  I told my husband it was like something sucked the joy of life out of our kitten!   A couple days out of that week, I resolved to take him to the vet - but then the morning of his appointment he seemed to be doing a little better.  Then I would come home from work and he just be planted on the couch all night.   I didn't know what to make of the suddenly low activity level (not lethargic - but definitely not his usual self) when there were no other symptoms.   Then at the end of the week, he just suddenly snapped out of it and has been his happy, chirpy little self again & ever since!    Maybe his body was in a "rest" phase - he's more than doubled his size from when we first took him in - I don't know, but I'm glad that your kitten snapped out of it as well!!

It is kinda scary when a high energy kitty suddenly just lounges around. Whatever it was yesterday she's been fine today. She hasn't batted at her left ear today but I notice her eyes kind of have a little discharge? Idk, I get paranoid about her eyes though bc they were so badly infected when she was a newborn. Also her nose is still a little wet again tonight, is that normal?

I think a visit to the vet would not be a bad thing. Especially when you start talking discharge from her eye (or nose, or anywhere for that matter). 

I was curious about the wet nose question!  I looked online and everything I'm reading says that : "Cats typically have cool, wet noses. Some pet owners believe a warm, dry nose denotes a sick cat, but, in actuality, a cat's nose temperature and moistness varies every day. Drastic changes, however, can alert you to other symptoms and potential health issues."

I can't say for sure if my cat's noses are usually moist, and I can't check since I'm at work - but I can say their noses are usually cool to the touch!   Is it just clear liquid coming from her eyes - like "tears"?   

Nala is back to her energetic self now. Her eyes just maybe seemed a little watery yesterday but totally fine today. Her nose is cool and moist but not drippy or anything. She's on my lap cuddling right now.[emoji]128571[/emoji][emoji]128062[/emoji][emoji]10084[/emoji]️
Not being bitey, not being aggressive. Just being a sweet, snuggly kitten girl! I won't pet her bc she's content at the moment just sitting on me. She's keeping Mama warm. It's cold here in Iowa. [emoji]10052[/emoji]️

Nala Ava Marie keeps attacking me! My hands are tore up. [emoji]128549[/emoji]I'm literally scared of her right now. She's so aggressive without being provoked. Her teeth are so sharp. I'm bleeding. [emoji]128062[/emoji][emoji]128148[/emoji]
As she was biting my hand and tearing my flesh, I was firmly telling her "no" and gently put her on the floor and she jumped right back up and started biting my arm and hands again.
I can't live in fear of her. I love her. Would someone more qualified be able to care for her and be able to get her to behave? I'm crying my eyes out right now. She's my newborn baby. I've never mistreated her. I've adored this kitten. My fiancé and his son and maybe even my kids may have played too roughly with her a few times but she's never been abused. She's still skittish. She's still mistrustful though I've not given any reason to ever wonder if her needs will be met. She had that one calm day where I thought she was sick but most days she's wild, almost feral. She just has those times at night when she's loving. I live for those times. I don't want to give up on her but I am not wanting permanent scars all over my hands, wrists and arms and even my face!

Aw, I'm so sorry to hear this. I know how much you adore Nala and it must be heartbreaking when she behaves like this.

I don't remember, but have you tried any of the calming aids, like Feliway and Composure? And although I hate to suggest this, you might also talk to the vet about medication if those don't work. I really hope you find a solution soon. I know you are suffering more than just physically. [emoji]128149[/emoji]

This is terrible. I have not yet tried Feliway or Composure? Is it something that will calm her down? It's so scary when she acts like that. No warning. It's not playing aggressively, it's attack mode. Just when I think she's improving, she does it again. I try to distract her with toys, she wants blood. She is still small, under 5 lbs. I can't imagine how much pain she'll inflict if she gets up to 10-12 lbs. or even more. She curls around my arm, with her fangs digging in, it's hard to free myself from her death grip.she doesn't even look sorry afterward. She only feels comfortable doing this to me. My fiancé is so firm with her. She'd never do this to him and I'm scared to death of what would happen to her if she did. All he has to say is "No!" Or "Hey!" And she closes her bitey little mouth. I say the same commands and she pays no attention to me. I will try anything to help her. I'd hate her to be on medication but if it will ease her aggression it may be an option. I don't want her to not be herself, she's naturally an active little girl. I don't want her to be a vegetable but I can't handle getting attacked. She doesn't do this daily. She's unpredictable.

Both Composure and Feliway are calming aids that people have used with great success. There are other products as well but these are the two I see mentioned most often.

Feliway diffusers plug in and emit a calming pheromone into the air. They are pricey and one diffuser doesn't cover much surface area so your place might need several. And not all cats respond to them. Still a lot of people have reported "miracles!"

Composure is a calming agent available in treat form or as a liquid to mix into food. Again, it works for some cats and not others.

There are also calming collars available.

I haven't used any of these products - just have read about them here. Recently Columbine wrote a detailed explanation of them but I don't remember the thread.

I totally understand not wanting to medicate Nala but again, some members have had very good results going that route as a last resort.

How is Nala behaving today?

A adoringangel72 . First of all, take a deep breath and calm down. I know how scary it is when cats attack, but you need to keep yourself as calm as possible. The one thing that's certain is that Nala will pick up on the energy you're putting out. If you can stay calm (and I've lost count of how often I've had to fake it :lol3: ) it will help her calm down.

What exactly is happening when she freaks out on you - both before and during? I'm trying to get a sense of triggers and motivation, so the more detail the better Also, can you remind me how old she is :anon:

With calming aids - Feliway is a pheromone based product. It's a synthetic version of the pheromone a momma cat would produce to help her kittens feel calm and secure. It comes as a spray and as a plug in diffuser. I would recommend the diffuser as it provides a constant level of the pheromone. Be sure to have enough to 'treat' the whole house, as that's how it's most effective.

Calming collars are also pheromone based, but some cats really don't like them.

Composure and Zylkene are food supplements derived from the calming amino acids that occur in milk. Composure comes in liquid or treats (chew) form, and Zylkene comes in tablet form. Both are very effective but non doping. Composure is generally the easiest to give, as the liquid is easily disguised in a little food. The liquid can be preferable to the treat form, as it takes quite a few treats to make up a single dose.

I absolutely agree that calming medication would be a little premature. I would always want to try non pharmaceutical options first - especially with a kitten.

Eclipse used to attack me on the stairs.  It was very scary.  I had to call my daughter Kim to get him off me and we would use a spray bottle of water.  yes, I have some scars.  Make sure you use peroxide or some other germ killer on your scratches and bites.

I think Eclipse was playing but out of control,  He has outgrown this behavior or the water bottle had an effect.  Now if he pounces it is without claws and teeth.

If it happens in the same place, maybe you could keep a towel or blanket nearby that you could wrap her in before she does too much damage.  Also try calling your SO's name.  I know sometimes just using Kim's name stops unwanted behavior.

Remember, she is still a kitten and still learning kitten manners.  This is not something she will do for life.

Some great advice from handsome kitty there, but I'd just like to point out that using spray bottles of water is not an ideal solution

Far better to hiss and freeze, or even push into the bite to encourage Nala to release you - pulling away is what prey would do, and is likely to make her increase her grip.

I really think you should take her to the vet.

Thank you all for replying! She seems fine today. She's only seriously attacked me viciously 2-3 times but each incident is terrifying. I'm trying to think of what may be triggering these incidents, the first time was in my bed and she just started biting my hands and arms, I wasn't overstimulating her bc I wasn't even petting her. Then the attack when I was in the recliner and she bit my face, twice! I wasn't petting her then either but I had recently played with her earlier that night. Last night, I was just laying down. She only attacks me. She opens her mouth at my fiancé but she will not bite him. When she has bit my hands before I try not to pull away bc it is almost as if she sees me as prey. She's so unpredictable. Earlier tonight, in the kitchen she just looked so cute and irresistible, I reached down to pick her up and she leaped into my arms and purred for a little bit. So sweet. No aggression. I'm calling the vet next week. I have to schedule her spay also. She is only 19 weeks old. She'll be 4 months old next week. Is she still young enough to learn manners?

Yes, it's never too late.

Just ordered some Composure soft chews for Nala from PetCo website. $11.99 for 30 chews, not too expensive I guess for an entire month supply. I hope it helps her.