Hi Everyone!
I am at a loss as to where to post this, Behavior or Health, so I am leaving it up to the moderators. I chose this thread because it is a general thread.
I am concerned about one cat in the shelter. The shelter is at PetSmart. In case no one knows what it looks like, it is a small room, with an ante-room, the small room houses cubbies for the cats. The walls facing the store are glass, while the rest of the room is just a small enclosed space with some cabinets, a couple folding chair, litter bin, dry food bin. The anteroom is just a small desk, a bench, and a hamper for soiled laundry.
We have a 2.5 yr old cat named, Angel. Well, Angel is far from her name--the complete opposite. We do not know much about her. All we know is that she showed up here from a foster's home. The guy placing her in PetSmart said that the foster loved her. She was quiet, lovable.
Angel has been with us for at least 3 weeks now..She just cannot adjust to the environment. She is totally, and completely aggressive!!! To the point that even a look at her, or just standing near her will elicit a round of really scary growls, hisses,--full anger with ears back, thrashing out with claws, bites, etc..
She had a quick Vet exam (please do not ask what that was like--I do not care for the inexpensive Vet)...She does have a notched ear--wonder if she was feral?? we have no clue.
She is small and beautiful--orange and white, spayed before we got her.
What is really bothering to all of us is her eyes! They are constantly fully dilated!! I have never seen that before.
Angel does better when it is quiet, and one on one. She hates dogs. and I think kids...
We all know she will do better in a foster home, one-on-one; but we do not have anyone for that. No fosters are available..we are full up..
It has been going back and forth whether this is a behavioral vs a medical issue. or emotional.....
She gave me a couple of brief seconds of normalcy yesterday, when I had her out and tried to play with her, but the minute I even slowly moved or talked to her, or she heard a noise, she was back to being a 'Devilish" cat...You cannot touch her. We have to wear gloves. We are afraid of even getting in there to clean her litter box, if she is in that area.. We are at a loss as to what is wrong with her. She gets overstimulated, frighteningly fast--in a split second.
One potential foster's came in to see her yesterday. While Angel did seem to take to her, there is a 3 yr old toddler in the house. No Way..that foster is out. However she did notice Angel's vision not focusing on the string toy..not following it around. If there is a vision issue, then that could be the answer to her behavior.
She was able to follow the trail of treat I put in front of her...However, she never went after any ball I threw to her.. She actually spit at it.
I went in today, just to see her. I took one of Artie's laser toys. Angel was able to follow it, while she was in the cubby. I saw her head moving and her trying to catch it.
Her eyes are really frightening. They are constantly dilated, no matter what type of lighting she is in.
She will be going to a different Vet for another full check-up with a different volunteer. One who is just as concerned as I am, and a few others are, about her....Angel will be seeing the head Vet at the office where I take my guy..
Does anyone have any ideas, thoughts on what this could be...
We are all thinking, feral, hypertension blindness, brain injury, severe anxiety, etc....
I did spray some Feliway on her pillow today.
She supposedly was sweet in her foster mom's home. She gives seconds of that behavior and then it is back to being a devil cat....
Personally, I think it is going to be a long time before we find out what is going on with her.... poor thing...
Thanks for reading this and thanks to any who respond.
I am at a loss as to where to post this, Behavior or Health, so I am leaving it up to the moderators. I chose this thread because it is a general thread.
I am concerned about one cat in the shelter. The shelter is at PetSmart. In case no one knows what it looks like, it is a small room, with an ante-room, the small room houses cubbies for the cats. The walls facing the store are glass, while the rest of the room is just a small enclosed space with some cabinets, a couple folding chair, litter bin, dry food bin. The anteroom is just a small desk, a bench, and a hamper for soiled laundry.
We have a 2.5 yr old cat named, Angel. Well, Angel is far from her name--the complete opposite. We do not know much about her. All we know is that she showed up here from a foster's home. The guy placing her in PetSmart said that the foster loved her. She was quiet, lovable.
Angel has been with us for at least 3 weeks now..She just cannot adjust to the environment. She is totally, and completely aggressive!!! To the point that even a look at her, or just standing near her will elicit a round of really scary growls, hisses,--full anger with ears back, thrashing out with claws, bites, etc..
She had a quick Vet exam (please do not ask what that was like--I do not care for the inexpensive Vet)...She does have a notched ear--wonder if she was feral?? we have no clue.
She is small and beautiful--orange and white, spayed before we got her.
What is really bothering to all of us is her eyes! They are constantly fully dilated!! I have never seen that before.
Angel does better when it is quiet, and one on one. She hates dogs. and I think kids...
We all know she will do better in a foster home, one-on-one; but we do not have anyone for that. No fosters are available..we are full up..
It has been going back and forth whether this is a behavioral vs a medical issue. or emotional.....
She gave me a couple of brief seconds of normalcy yesterday, when I had her out and tried to play with her, but the minute I even slowly moved or talked to her, or she heard a noise, she was back to being a 'Devilish" cat...You cannot touch her. We have to wear gloves. We are afraid of even getting in there to clean her litter box, if she is in that area.. We are at a loss as to what is wrong with her. She gets overstimulated, frighteningly fast--in a split second.
One potential foster's came in to see her yesterday. While Angel did seem to take to her, there is a 3 yr old toddler in the house. No Way..that foster is out. However she did notice Angel's vision not focusing on the string toy..not following it around. If there is a vision issue, then that could be the answer to her behavior.
She was able to follow the trail of treat I put in front of her...However, she never went after any ball I threw to her.. She actually spit at it.
I went in today, just to see her. I took one of Artie's laser toys. Angel was able to follow it, while she was in the cubby. I saw her head moving and her trying to catch it.
Her eyes are really frightening. They are constantly dilated, no matter what type of lighting she is in.
She will be going to a different Vet for another full check-up with a different volunteer. One who is just as concerned as I am, and a few others are, about her....Angel will be seeing the head Vet at the office where I take my guy..
Does anyone have any ideas, thoughts on what this could be...
We are all thinking, feral, hypertension blindness, brain injury, severe anxiety, etc....
I did spray some Feliway on her pillow today.
She supposedly was sweet in her foster mom's home. She gives seconds of that behavior and then it is back to being a devil cat....
Personally, I think it is going to be a long time before we find out what is going on with her.... poor thing...
Thanks for reading this and thanks to any who respond.