So we picked up Lilly yesterday, but....

Lilly's surgery went great, she's doing much better than I thought she would. She's happy and eating well and playing. But...

As soon as I got her home yesterday, her mother Angel started acting very very agressive. I mean, attacking Lilly. Very loud scream from Angel and then Lilly running the other way. Angel has been kinda testy lately, but nothing like this. I figured she's in heat, but would she really just attack her own daughter like that for no reason? I put Lilly's collar back on her as soon as she got home, so she shouldn't smell too much different to Angel. This really bothers me. This morning I was sitting in the floor with the cats, and Angel was sitting becide me. I reached over to pet her tail, and she screamed like I had just stepped on it. I picked her up and pet her near her bottom, and she yelled again and tried to get away from me.

Is she in heat, or is there something wrong here? I've had cats in heat before, but they acted nothing like this. Any suggestions???

Could you clarify what type of surgery your cat had? Spayed/neutured, or other surgery?

I had a post about Lilly (Kitten Not Eating... HELP!). She had to have a section of her small intestine removed after it started digesting itself. She isn't fixed, not yet anyway.

except for this...

I reached over to pet her tail, and she screamed like I had just stepped on it. I picked her up and pet her near her bottom, and she yelled again and tried to get away from me.

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it sounds like angel just isnt used to the new smell of lilly from when she was gone. but im no expert

I am most certainly not an expert but here is what I have read from other threads and personal experience.

Angel is probably smelling the foreign scents from the vet's office (other animals, medications, etc.) that are eminating from Lilly. Her reaction is to these scents and not necessarily because she no longer likes her own daughter, Lilly. Give Angel a few days to adjust to the new smells and also keep a close eye on the two of them (ie. supervision and possibly keep them separated when you cannot watch them).

As for Lilly's screaming when you try to touch her, I would say she is very sensitive to that area, is in discomfort, and doesn't want anyone touching her. If you have any questions regarding the surgery, I think you should contact your vet's office.

It's not Lilly that's screaming when I touch her, it's Angel.

I am sure it is a smell thing and Angel is just upset at everything, including this 'new' cat htat has appeared smelling foreign. Rub them both with a wet towel so that the scents are mixed, or if you don't want to touch them with a towel in case it hurts, dab some vanilla in their necks under hte chin to make htem smell alike. It will in all probability sort itself out in a day or two.

I agree with the others....Lilly brought home some scary smells with her from the vet. Cats are very scent driven, so Angel might actually believe that Lilly is some new intruder because Lilly smells so different. Try doing Hissy's famous vanilla trick...put a dab of vanilla under the chin and on the base of the tail on both cats (just a dab, not a lot). This will make them both smell the same which will give Angel a chance to realize that its her old buddy Lilly rather than some new scary cat in the house.

I'm glad Lilly's surgery went well.

Thanks jenny, I think I'll try the vanilla and see how that goes. I don't now if I could hold them still for the wet towel, lol.

I suppose I should have clarified something...

Angel isn't just attacking Lilly, she's attacking all the cats, and me if I pet her. She was hissing at the other cats before I brought Lilly home. Could it possibly be that she's in heat, or just testy because of Lilly, or could there be another problem?

You received some great ideas about how to help this problem from other members.
I read some of your other posts & know that money is tight for you right now but please, have Angel spayed. She will become PG again if you do not have this done right away. That would be very sad for her & you.
There is financial help in your area to have this done. Find it & do it. It will save you a lot of money & stress in the future.
Sweet Lilly, Angel & your other furkids will be in my prayers.

It sounds as tho because of the smells from the vet's office, Angel may not recognize Lily. And ifshe is not spayed, there is a natural heirachy among cat colonies and intact Queens are ahead of spayed females. Have Angel spayed asap!! Can i ask why you would spay one kitty and not the other????

Originally Posted by iveynightwolf

I suppose I should have clarified something...

Angel isn't just attacking Lilly, she's attacking all the cats, and me if I pet her. She was hissing at the other cats before I brought Lilly home. Could it possibly be that she's in heat, or just testy because of Lilly, or could there be another problem?

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I think the unfamiliar smells Lily has from being at the vet is causing some of the problem.
But, if it were me, I would take Angel in to be checked out just to be on the safe side. I say that because you said she screamed when you touched her tail and near her bottom. It sounds like she could be in pain. I always get worried when Dori's behavior is off because that seems like the first sign of her not feeling well, and you mention Angel was hissing and not getting along with the other cats before Lily got back.

The only cat that is fixed in my house is Pume Pume. He's the oldest, and he was fixed soon after we found him 3 years ago. Lilly had surgery on her intestines, she's not spayed. If I had the money, I'd get the rest fixed, but haven't had the chance yet. I know there are programs, but right now the only place that has programs is the humane society, and they recently had to shut down to the public because they are short on employees, and they're not returning my phone calls. I've been trying, please don't think I haven't been.