Aggression towards sibling and owner

shelly

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Please help! My 4 year old cat (Thelma) has been having episodes of aggression (attacks that have drawn blood) towards her sister (Louise) and me. I got them together as kittens, they used to get along very well, groom each other, etc. But that changed around 2 years ago. It started out not very often, maybe 6 months apart. It seems to happen when Thelma thinks Louise is being hurt, or when Thelma is startled (and Louise & I are close to her). It has become more frequent (once a month) & each time it takes her longer to "get over it". Thelma has been to the vet, and has started to take Buspar. She had an episode after being on the medicine for a month. The day after the episode, Louise had to go to the vet for ear cleaning & dental, Thelma hissed at me when Louise was not there, and since Louise has come home, Thelma won't get close to her, and if she does, she hisses and growls. This has been going on for a few days now. It has never lasted this long before. Tried one dose of Valium, didn't work. The Buspar dose has been increased. They both have their claws. Thelma's a couple pounds heavier than Louise. Louise does defend herself, but she doesn't trust Thelma. Would appreciate any input. Sorry for the lengthy post, but this doesn't even cover it all. Thanks!
 

sandie

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It sounds like it might help to re introduce the two of them. Seperate the two by putting one in a small room. Take one out and put the other in. This way they smell each other but dont see each other. Then let them react together for short periods of time. It may take ahwile, but it usually works.
 
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shelly

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Thanks Sandie, but we've tried that. Thelma just hisses & growls through the door. The separation problem was just this last time, before this the attacks were brought on by Thelma thinking Louise was being hurt or something. We're thinking she has some kind of mental problem like schitzophrenia or something. She just loses it, just snaps. Normally she is the nicest, most affectionate cat I've ever had, which is making it all the harder.
 

Anne

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Hi and welcome to the forums!

I think that if the vet thinks it's a mental illness, than maybe it has to be solved with medication. If one medication doesn't work, maybe your vet would like to try another?
 
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shelly

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Thanks Anne, do you know what medications are generally used for this type of thing?
 
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