Advice Please: Willow growling, Molly peeing

Willow arrived to us in October last year and initially after the introduction stages, everything was progressing well. Molly and Willow did have a fight which ended with Molly having a scratch on her face (checked out by the vet), but other than that, things were going very well - even to the point of them all wanting to eat together.

Over the past month or so, things have become quite difficult. Willow will growl at Molly when she's in the vicinity, which causes Molly to become defensive. This has ended in the odd fight, all without bloodshed, except for the first and another occasion. (both occasions the vet was seen)

I maintain that all my kitties claws are trimmed, so this is why the scratches weren't too bad (the vet explained that they were not deep)

Yesterday, Molly pee'd in a bag, so I contacted my vet and received an appointment. She subsequently used her litter tray (with no straining or signs of pain or blockage) producing a decent amount of urine. Then, before bed, she went in another bag in my lounge. She has since continued to use her tray.

The vet gave her the all clear for Cystisis and we discussed the fact that it was a behaviour issue, but I am to keep an eye on her during urination just to be on the safe side!

I am concerned that Molly is stressed due to the number of vet visits she has had lately. She has had to have eye drops, antibiotics and checkups over the past few weeks and worry how much this is stressing her and if Willow has noticed that - as she's been off colour - her scent change, hence the growling?

Yet, Tibby is still treating her the same as always!

I use Feliway plug-ins around my home and was using FeliFriend (but need more) It was making an improvement, but I was wondering if anyone knows of any other ways that I can help?

Molly's final appointment is on Thursday, so she should be all well and settled after this point - do you think that things might improve once she's back into normal routine?

Any help and advice is very welcome!

It is not unusual to see aggression in cats who are sick OR in the kitty friends of the sick cat. What happens when the sick cat is attacked is that the illness causes a slight change in scent which makes the other cat think that the sick cat is an intruder. Once the sick cat gets better, the aggression will probably stop. In the meantime, try putting a tiny dab of vanilla extract under the chin of both cats. This will make them both smell the same, which may reduce the aggression.

Regarding the urination problem, it is not at all unusual to see inappropriate urination when a cat is stressed. Because the vet has ruled out infection, I would just make sure all bags are placed where the cat can't get to them and then wait to see whether the problem goes away once the stressors go away.

You might want to read the thread at the top of this forum which discusses how to stop inappropriate urination for more ideas.

Good luck!

Thank you!

I figured that the agression may go away once Molly is all better! So hopefully things will improve at least after Thursday (well, after her week of antibiotics, anyway)

I was just wondering, though, why Tibby hasn't noticed a scent change with Molly?!

I read through the inappropriate peeing sticky and all the other peeing threads, yesterday, while waiting for our vet visit. I always ensure that each of the three trays are clean - scooping after each use - and they are placed in quiet safe locations, both upstairs and downstairs.

I think I was more concerned about Molly's stress levels! She has always been a pretty nervous cat and since the arrival of Willow, she has been more nervous (more than likely because of her being poorly and the fights, growls and hisses)

I removed the bags instantly and it hasn't occured since our vet visit!

I have also been spending even more time with Molly to make sure that she knows she didn't do anything wrong and that I still love her as much as ever!

I have also noticed *touch wood* that things have eleviated between Molly and Willow even since yesterday! Willow will growl at Molly, but she'll give him a swift hiss and stay put! Willow will now retreat, but if he doesn't, I distract him and he totally forgets what he was doing in regards to Molly.

I am hoping that Molly's stress levels are reducing somewhat, as she has been spending more time in the same room as both Tibby and Willow.

I have been used the vanilla extract throughout the introduction process, so I will give that a try again!

Thank you again for the advice, I really appreciate it!

Awww Sarah Bless her little heart I hope everything settles down once the vet visits are out the way.

Have you tried fussing over Molly more as well?!

Originally Posted by rosiemac

Awww Sarah

Bless her little heart

I hope everything settles down once the vet visits are out the way.

Have you tried fussing over Molly more as well?!

Click to expand...

I hope so too, Susan!

Yesterday and today, Molly has been receiving uber fussing during our girly times! Things do seem to be getting a little better, but time will tell!

Oh thats good to hear

Something you can try to help ease the stress and tension between the cats is a Feliway plug-in: http://www.catsplay.com/feliway.php3 This may also help with the urinating problem. Something else you can also try is Bach Flower Remedies: http://www.catfaeries.com/essences.html Many members have found the remedies helpful.

Here are some links to UK online stores that sells the plug-in:

http://www.bestpetpharmacy.co.uk/det...uct.asp?id=114
http://www.penstone-petstore.co.uk/acatalog/
http://www.petvetcare.co.uk/acatalog/Feliway.html

Thank you, Tania!
Got it right this time!

I have two feliway plug ins, but definitely will get some more as my house is pretty open plan! Thank you for the links, I have been limited to buying them from an expensive place, and have found cheaper ones through your links!! Brilliant, thank you!

I will also try the Bach Flower Remedies too!

Sarah,

Sorry to hear about poor Molly being stressed. Cinders and Bella are sending her baby headbutts to make her feel better soon

Originally Posted by Pui Hang

Sarah,

Sorry to hear about poor Molly being stressed.

Cinders and Bella are sending her baby headbutts to make her feel better soon

Click to expand...

Thank you!

Molly says an extra special thank you to Cinders and Bella!

Sarah,
Sorry you have to go through all this. I know that it breaks your heart to see your kitties upset. I don't have any advice, but I sent prayers for ALL of your babies.
Renee

Thank you, Renee!

It really does break your heart! I just wish I could sit them all down and explain everything to them!

Thank you for the prayers too, I really appreciate it!

So how is Molly doing? I hope she's feeling better. Are things calming down between her and Willow?

Thank you so much for asking, Renee!

Molly had her stay at the vets and is now on antibiotics for the rest of the week - one final vet visit to the vets on Monday!

Molly has not had any 'out of litter tray' accidents since and is back to using the tray full time!

Since she has been home things have been slightly more settled - Molly hasn't been acting so agressively towards Willow, however, Willow is continuing to growl at Molly

The major improvement is that there haven't been any fights! Even if Willow has growled/hissed at Molly, she will chase him upstairs but not start a fight! Many times the growls have ceased when Molly gives a hiss!

Hopefully when Molly has completed her course of antibiotics, things will improve further!

Thank you again for thinking of us!

Sarah I just saw this... sorry I didnt see it sooner

I am glad to read that there is an improvement though and I too home that this course of antibotics will improve things further

sending lots of love & headbutts from my home to yours

Sarah,

Glad to hear that things are settling down between Molly and Willow Hope everything goes well at the vets tomorrow! Sending you }}}good VIBES{{{ that things continue to improve

Thank you both!

We have the vets today at four, so I hope everything will be good with Molly and things are able to improve further!

I'll come back and let you all know how it went!

Sarah, let us know. Poor Molly has been through a lot. More prayers for her and all your babies. It sounds like Molly and Willow may be coming to an understanding. Head butts to all of them. You must be so frazzled!

Thank you, Renee!

I'm truely hoping that Molly and Willow are coming to an understanding - it will make things a lot easier around here!

I am certainly frazzled! I can't wait until everyone is well and things calm down! I think i'll need to sleep for a week! Nothing ever comes in ones, do they?!!

The visit wasn't too bad, we have to visit again on Wednesday to judge if Molly needs a further course of antibiotics. I could have taken them today, but I'd rather see if she improves by Wednesday as opposed to giving her the antibiotics without the need!

I am also having to take Tibby on Wednesday too, as he's been a little off colour! It will be 'fun' trying to carry two cats into the surgery!

Thank you all so much for your support! I really appreciate knowing that you're all with me with all this!