New *LONG* Story - Anyone have an ear, advice, whatever?

The only reason I'd suggest she pass judgment now is if they find that Cassie's medical problems are a result from her response to the stress and change in her lifestyle, which can impact anyone's immune system and ability to fight illness, etc. Otherwise it definitely would take some time to decide, especially since the new cat might grow out of some of his playfulness in the next months which might be just what Cassie needs. I wouldn't make any decisions for a few months, but after that I think they just get stuck in their patterns and things wouldn't change especially if all integration efforts have been problematic.

Originally Posted by notme1295

The only reason I'd suggest she pass judgment now is if they find that Cassie's medical problems are a result from her response to the stress and change in her lifestyle, which can impact anyone's immune system and ability to fight illness, etc. Otherwise it definitely would take some time to decide, especially since the new cat might grow out of some of his playfulness in the next months which might be just what Cassie needs. I wouldn't make any decisions for a few months, but after that I think they just get stuck in their patterns and things wouldn't change especially if all integration efforts have been problematic.

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Agreed! I just think that the cats have to be given a bit more time to adjust, and that Cassie's time spent in a shelter may have complicated matters.

The bottom line is that cassie should have never been in that shelter. But what is done is done. I hope she pulls through this and I am glad they are keeping her at the vet's to watch over her and give her what she needs.

I just hope she gets better asnd they can help her at the vet's. She could have become ill at the shelter - with so many cats who have been brought there with God knows what illnesses. I know our own SPCA shelter had a recent problem with kitty colds and so any new cat 0 even in islation - had a high rosk of infection. Add to that her incredible stress and you have a recipe for disaster!

That said, what's important now is that she is at the vet and hopefully on her way to recovery!! I hope now that she has been home and realizes someone loves her, she may be less stressed - tho being at the vet's is stressful in and of itself for some kitties (She prob could use Rescue Remedy right now - and Taryn, you might try osme too <g>). She needs to want to get better and so needs much love and attention!!

Originally Posted by CyberKitten

I just hope she gets better asnd they can help her at the vet's. She could have become ill at the shelter - with so many cats who have been brought there with God knows what illnesses. I know our own SPCA shelter had a recent problem with kitty colds and so any new cat 0 even in islation - had a high rosk of infection. Add to that her incredible stress and you have a recipe for disaster!

That said, what's important now is that she is at the vet and hopefully on her way to recovery!! I hope now that she has been home and realizes someone loves her, she may be less stressed - tho being at the vet's is stressful in and of itself for some kitties (She prob could use Rescue Remedy right now - and Taryn, you might try osme too <g>). She needs to want to get better and so needs much love and attention!!

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Thank you everyone for your support and guidance. I really appreciate it.

Cassie is back home now. She was tested for EVERYTHING -- including a hyperthyroid, which we believe may have been a source (or maybe not, who knows?) for her aggressiveness. The vet started to hydrate her, she's urinating but still has runny stools, no vomiting though (knock wood). She still hasn't eaten but we have her on meds, so if she did catch a virus, we will start nipping it in the bud.

I acknowledge that the problem is cause by my boyfriend's overzealousness and my reluctance to put up a fight. I am so worn out now...I think I might take that Rescue Remedy LOL. I will keep you all posted for more news.

Originally Posted by jcat

I agree that there are cats that won't accept other cats (I've got one that goes ballistic even when he sees another cat outside his territory, e.g., at the vets', and there're two like that at the local "cat home" right now). However, I think it's way too early to pass that judgment on Cassie.
The main thing that led me to cat sites was Jamie's unwillingness to accept other cats (we adopted him at 10 weeks, and he wouldn't accept the presence of the mature resident male we had at the time). A lot of people advised me that it could take 3 to 6 months to successfully bring the two together. That never happened, and we divided the house for a couple of years. We currently have a "part-time cat" that eats here, has access to our laundry room at all times, but is taken to our neighbor's every night to sleep, for the same reason. She wants to live here, and Jamie won't go along with that. Throwing in the towel after just a few weeks isn't necessary, IMO.

I was thinking the same thing about Cassie picking up something at the shelter. That's a definite possibility.

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Your cat is rather an extreme case, isn't he? He wants to be the one and only cat in a household. I think that's rare, and most cats do accept other cats or learn to tolerate the other cats.

Originally Posted by elizwithcat

Your cat is rather an extreme case, isn't he? He wants to be the one and only cat in a household. I think that's rare, and most cats do accept other cats or learn to tolerate the other cats.

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Hi Eliz,

I was following this thread you were posting to, and I could not help but respond.

Cassie is an extreme case, because she gets frightened easily. She is also a very traumatized cat...believe me, we raise her in a safe, happy, light-filled, clean household, with nothing but the best in food, health care and affection. However, I can't help but think -- what would she be saying if she was a "human?" "I was abandoned by my mother at two weeks old...never knew my dad...I was raised by "humans?" Woe is me!"

I knew she would be a little skittish about Napoleon, but I feel this is far from a lost cause. We need to be PATIENT with Cassie, have her get curious about him, because we know he is definitely curious about his big sister. We just cannot aggravate her stress right now, because she is in a delicate situation.

I think what will happen ultimately is that with time, TLC and positive reinforcement they will learn to coexist. However, I acknowledge it will take a looooooooooong time. I know that my boyfriend and I complicated matters jumping the gun and rendering her as needing to be rehabilitated. When the fact is, she knew nothing else, and saw Napoleon as a threat.

Thanks again guys. You guys are the nicest people.

Originally Posted by elizwithcat

Your cat is rather an extreme case, isn't he? He wants to be the one and only cat in a household. I think that's rare, and most cats do accept other cats or learn to tolerate the other cats.

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Yes, he is an extreme case - he had to be separated from his litter mates much earlier than planned because he was injuring them. I suspect that one of the older cats in the foster home injured or frightened him - he often managed to escape from the "nursery", and there were three older cats in the household. His jealous behavior also extended to our niece and nephew, though he accepted our nephew once his voice changed, and could no longer be considered a child. He's now accepting our niece (12), but isn't friendly towards her. On the other hand, he loves dogs, and allows them on his territory. He never even saw a dog until we adopted him, so we just figure he's weird, even for a cat.

Is she eating yet?

Hi Hissy, she is eating, just not a lot. Which to me, is a good sign. I don't want her to eat herself to death. Plus she seems to be responding to meds, so maybe her gaining her appetite back little by little might be a meds thing too, cause I think the stuff she is taking tastes icky . She also had a firmer stool today, which thrills me to no end...whoever thought I'd be exciting about my cat pooping LOL. No vomiting either, also a good sign. I will definitely post the prognosis tomorrow when we get all the test results.

have you got the results back from the vet yet?

Hi guys,

Huggles I just PM'd you, but I wanted to say while we didn't get the test results yesterday (I don't think our vet was in and they said it might be late on Monday, so def expect a call on Tues), Cassie is almost 100% better. I would say 85-90%, but still MUCH better than she was 3 days ago.

She is playing again, attacking everything (chirping at the birds in the window ), eating (almost back to her normal appetite), drinking her water, not fighting the meds (who are you and what have you done with my cat ), she took a BIG poop this morning (you have no idea how much this means to me LOL), and is even getting curious about Napoleon but it is WAY too early to have them face-to-face yet. I plan to feed them together over the weekend. After I get his blanket nice and scented for her to get used to .

I promise once we get our results I will post them. But now, there is nothing new to report except that Cassie is feeling much better. Thanks for your support!!!

Rgds,
Taryn

PS Hissy I've been taking your advice and singing softly and reading to Cassie, and she seems to respond to a lot of it. She is extremely bonded with Charlie (my boyfriend) but lately has been very bonded with me, she curls up on me and purrs and lets me stroke her while I sing softly. I gotta post some pics of my baby .

Hi guys

New update!!!

Cassie's test results came back and all were normal, even the thyroid work. Thank you so much for your support and good thoughts!!!

And even more news on the homefront. Cassie was relaxing in our bedroom, so we closed the door and let Napoleon run around. Charlie made a toy fashioned out of some shoelaces which he put under the door and they played together on each side of the door. They still haven't fully seen each other though so hopefully this will go smoother than the first time.

HUGS

I am so pleased to hear that the test results all came back perfect - what a nice relief that must be for you - and also that she is getting back to normal she must know that she is now safe again

have they met yet?

Originally Posted by huggles

I am so pleased to hear that the test results all came back perfect - what a nice relief that must be for you - and also that she is getting back to normal

she must know that she is now safe again

have they met yet?

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Yes they have...and they are...taking it slow. She gets all hissy & growly with him. He takes it in stride, he's such a trouper. They can tolerate each other's presence in the same room, but DON'T COME NEAR ME she tells him LOL.

Today they were a little close to brawling. It was funny though and we had our squirt bottles at bay. He is getting a little anxious cause he wants to play and to sniff her and to cuddle her and she's all, "I'm the star of the show, OK?" He is starting to get a little harassing so we had to put him back in his room. But I see it as...cautiously optimistic. We just need to take it slow.

hope all is going well!!!!

Hey,
Just to let you know that you are not alone!!! I just found this website and you will find my horror story shortly after yours (check it out). This website has been such a comfort to me because there have been all kinds of advice coming my way. Tonight Abbey (really seems depressed - I swear I saw tears in her eyes one afternoon) is running around playing with some of her toys. Still no happy times with the new kitty yet. Icy (new kitty) stays in her safe room, occasionally stepping out and looking into the hallway while Abbey and Boo (resident kitties) stare at her with some hissing. Hang in there. I am.
Cat
P.S. My husband is like your boyfriend - very impatient for this whole thing to work out.