OMG!!! Murphy went crazy!!!

chichismom

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 21, 2005
Messages
2,576
Purraise
13
Location
STL
We were letting the dogs outside, and Willy came to the bottom of the steps and stuck his head in the door. I was holding Willy the whole time- Murphy and Chichi were both right there and Murphy puffed up and let out a wierd howl and WHOA!!!!! I have never seen a cat attack like that! He was like a matrix kitty or something. He flew at us through the air 2 times I mean absolutely NUTSO! We hurried and pushed Willy back up the steps, thank God he did'nt try to go after Murphy, we would've been at the vet
Willy was just trying to see what in the world was coming at him, but Murphy was really violent- he scared me
he managed to pop willy on the snout, and my mom on the knee a little, but he got my arm really bad. I was between the two of them so when I was pushing psycho back he jumped on my arm OWEEE! Its all purple and nasty looking
Why did Murphy go soo nutso? I mean Willy did'nt charge or bark at him, and Murphy just went insane
for pretty much nothing. Very awful first encounter
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #2

chichismom

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 21, 2005
Messages
2,576
Purraise
13
Location
STL
27 looks and no replies
 

valanhb

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Mar 2, 2002
Messages
32,530
Purraise
100
Location
Lakewood (Denver suburb), Colorado
This is pretty perplexing since Murphy obviously knows Willy.

However, with the move and all, I'm thinking it's redirected agression. He could just be bombarded with new smells, perhaps some smells that previous animals in the home left. There are new smells from outside too, which Willy may have brought in with him.

I would suggest shutting Murphy in one room, dim the lights and play some classical music softly for him. Make sure there are good hiding spots in there. It sounds like he need to decompress and that access to the whole new house may be too much for him.

If you have Feliway, use it. If not, you may want to consider getting a diffuser.
 

larke

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 9, 2005
Messages
2,278
Purraise
6
Location
SE Canada
He just got surprised seeing him in an unfamiliar place, or time, or something. Don't go all (more) nutso and start confining him, or anything else, it was just one of those weird cat aberrations (lived thru so many!) and he's probably long forgotten about it and won't know what's happening if you start changing things around even more.
 

squirtle

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Nov 29, 2003
Messages
5,544
Purraise
1
Location
Sunny Florida
I am sorry this was so traumatic, Marge
I had a very hard time getting Dori to adjust to the new house when we moved in. It was just her back then, we didn't have Brody. I think that the stress from the move and other changes have really gotten to Murphy. You mentioned in another thread that your schedule has been changed (12 hour shifts right?), relocating to a new place, and throwing a dog into the mix is a lot for a cat to handle all at once. Slow things down if you can. Give Murphy some time to adjust to the new place. I would keep him confined to one room for now, and gradually introduce him to the rest of the house. I highly recommend Feliway, as Heidi suggested. It took 2 diffusers to help Dori adjust. I would hold off on the introductions until Murphy becomes more adjusted to his new surroundings. I know it is hard to manage all of this, but hang in there! You're doing a great job.

Make sure and get that arm cleaned up as well
 

ceruleantyphoon

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jan 21, 2006
Messages
10
Purraise
2
Location
Thornton, Colorado
Hi there! I rarely post, but I been in this situation as well!

One of my cats went absolutely beserk when it caught a glimpse of a new cat I was bringing in to the household. They basically saw one another through the crack in the door, and the resident cat went totally out of control. I was shocked beyond belief. I tried to go in and calm her down, but she kept attacking me, growling and hissing. I had so many scratches and cuts from her, it looked as if I cut myself with a butcher knife. I left her in the room by herself, as I sat outside the door for a couple of minutes just to let her calm herself down.

Things are much better now. They aren't friends, but they will tolerate one another. I believe it was just an initial shock of the whole experience that sent her on her wild rampage. I am still puzzled about the events of that day! But, all I can say is, it can and will get better. It took a long time, and hard work to make it so they would at least tolerate one another, but I am grateful that it is working.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

chichismom

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 21, 2005
Messages
2,576
Purraise
13
Location
STL
Thanks Heidi


I was wondering if the new enviroment had anything to do with it- Murphy is my scaredy baby, Chichi is the mean one. Just to clarify, this was Murphy and Willy's first encounter. I was living in an apt for a few years, during which time I adopted Murphy, and my parents adopted Willy at their house. So I don't know if this was Murphy first time seeing a dog? I don't know too much about his background, but he usually runs and hides if he is scared. I think it was WAY too soon for a meet and greet, that was irresponsible of me
but Willy just stuck his head in the doorway, I did'nt let him loose or anything, thats how I got hurt- I was still holding Willy when Murphy went nutso. The whole thing was like 5 seconds long- as soon as Murf saw Willy he lost it.

I will def buy a feliway. I do think he is rather stressed in his new enviroment. Chichi has lived there before, so she is fine. My poor little Murphy is just nervous and scared probably. Thank you soo much for your input- I just wanted to hear an outside opinion. Everyone else I told just said Murphy was crazy
and I have never dealt with such aggresion from a cat before. I've seen them hiss and scratch, but never so violently.

Thanks again

Marge
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

chichismom

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 21, 2005
Messages
2,576
Purraise
13
Location
STL
Originally Posted by Larke

He just got surprised seeing him in an unfamiliar place, or time, or something. Don't go all (more) nutso and start confining him, or anything else, it was just one of those weird cat aberrations (lived thru so many!) and he's probably long forgotten about it and won't know what's happening if you start changing things around even more.
yeah, that is what I'm thinking-he's just scared. Don't worry I'd never lock my baby up- he'd have to hurt me pretty bad. I've petted him since, so he has calmed down a little. Thanks



Originally Posted by squirtle

I am sorry this was so traumatic, Marge
I had a very hard time getting Dori to adjust to the new house when we moved in. It was just her back then, we didn't have Brody. I think that the stress from the move and other changes have really gotten to Murphy. You mentioned in another thread that your schedule has been changed (12 hour shifts right?), relocating to a new place, and throwing a dog into the mix is a lot for a cat to handle all at once. Slow things down if you can. Give Murphy some time to adjust to the new place. I would keep him confined to one room for now, and gradually introduce him to the rest of the house. I highly recommend Feliway, as Heidi suggested. It took 2 diffusers to help Dori adjust. I would hold off on the introductions until Murphy becomes more adjusted to his new surroundings. I know it is hard to manage all of this, but hang in there! You're doing a great job.

Make sure and get that arm cleaned up as well
You are soo right!!! I did'nt even think of my work schedule affecting him! Thats why I love you guys soo much!
that probably upsets him alot
I had no intention of them meeting so soon, it just kinda happened. Willy is used to being able to go downstairs so he proceded to go, I stopped him at the doorway and thats when it happened.

What should I put on the puncture wounds? With scratches I just clean them with peroxide, but this is nasty looking



Originally Posted by CeruleanTyphoon

Hi there! I rarely post, but I been in this situation as well!

One of my cats went absolutely beserk when it caught a glimpse of a new cat I was bringing in to the household. They basically saw one another through the crack in the door, and the resident cat went totally out of control. I was shocked beyond belief. I tried to go in and calm her down, but she kept attacking me, growling and hissing. I had so many scratches and cuts from her, it looked as if I cut myself with a butcher knife. I left her in the room by herself, as I sat outside the door for a couple of minutes just to let her calm herself down.

Things are much better now. They aren't friends, but they will tolerate one another. I believe it was just an initial shock of the whole experience that sent her on her wild rampage. I am still puzzled about the events of that day! But, all I can say is, it can and will get better. It took a long time, and hard work to make it so they would at least tolerate one another, but I am grateful that it is working.
Well I'm sooooooo glad you posted this time!!!!! Your situation sound sooo much like mine. Beserk is the word! I'm glad to hear your furkids tolerate each other now, maybe theres hope for us
Thank you soo much for sharing your story
it helps me alot
 

valanhb

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Mar 2, 2002
Messages
32,530
Purraise
100
Location
Lakewood (Denver suburb), Colorado
I didn't know that Murphy hadn't met Willy before.

I still think it's just too much change, too soon for a skittery little guy like Murphy. Change in schedule, whole new world (home) and now this thing called a DOG coming into his new world!
That's just too much for a little kitty!

Contrary to our way of thinking, confining a cat to a smaller area can be quite soothing and calming to them. When they get scared, they usually seek out a dark, small place to hide - it's their nature as a prey animal. Especially with the move happening just this weekend, the entire house may be too much stimulation for him with everything else.

And keep a close eye on those puncture wounds! Cat scratches can get bad infected really quickly. If you see any signs of discoloration or the wounds aren't healing properly, get to a doctor.
 

katkisses

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 31, 2006
Messages
2,334
Purraise
14
Location
North Carolina, U.S.
Originally Posted by chichismom

Thanks Heidi

Just to clarify, this was Murphy and Willy's first encounter. I was living in an apt for a few years, during which time I adopted Murphy, and my parents adopted Willy at their house. So I don't know if this was Murphy first time seeing a dog?
AHA! I bet that either he has never seen a dog before and thinks that it some type of cat eating monster OR he has had some bad expirence with a dog, mabye being chased or bitten.

Intruduce them slowly, first left them sinff each other under a closed door, after they are ok and calm about that put Willy's leash on and hold him close to you and go into the same room as Murphy, not close at first, then eventually get them closer. You could also try letting Murphy observe Willy from a spot that Murphy would feel safe at, probably something high off of the ground or through a window.

This should help some.

Good luck with them!
 

sandtigress

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 26, 2005
Messages
2,597
Purraise
4
Location
Texas
I believe others have recommended epsom salt soaks for nasty cat scratches, but definately don't be afraid to get medical attention if it even starts to look infected! Murphey will calm down soon if you help him take it really slow, I'm sure, and then you can start the introductions properly, hopefully with no more scares!
 

shengmei

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 21, 2005
Messages
1,425
Purraise
5
Location
College Station, TX
I think he was more scared after seeing how much you guys obviously cared about his reactions.


I second on the Epsom salt soak. Magnesium is good for wounds in general. He is going to be fine. In the mean time, however, make sure you get his nails clipped so if he freaks out again it won't do as much damage.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #13

chichismom

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 21, 2005
Messages
2,576
Purraise
13
Location
STL
Thank you all soo much!
Murphy was being a real sweetheart last night
he was my little cuddlebum all night. He has been hiding up in the rafters
but he always wants to be up out of reach during the day- he does'nt like to be disturbed during his beauty sleep
at the apt he would beg to be put on the top shelf of the closet, and thats where he slept all day. I plan on building him a little mini closet to get into
because the rafters are a little dusty.

Thank you for the epsom salt suggestion, I did'nt even know about that. The wounds don't look too awful bad today, the worse one actually looks better than the less severe one. It is a little pink around the edges. I need to rinse it again. I will def either be getting Murf's nails trimmed or soft claws put on. It is time for Chichi's nail trim anyway so I will take them both sometime this weekend when I finally get some time off work


Again thank you all soo much, I was in panick mode yesterday and just did'nt know why my baby reacted like that. You all have helped me understand everything a lot better
 
Top