Random aggression 5 year old feline, rare, but not understood

[moving2cats]

I have two female cats... one 7 years old Abby, and one 5 years old Gracie, ... for this I will call them 5 and 7. I got 7 first and 5 came into the house later... over the last 5 years they love each other, play, and clean each other... once in a while, 5 goes crazy... like cujo. 

Probably happened 4 times in the last 3 years since having them both but I think this is how it starts

They both play like fighting.. no one gets hurt.... my wife and I do not like to see this, but we do know it is playing... no hissing or biting. We usually break it up anyways.
They both are indoor cats, both total loves.  Friendly to visitors.
Yesterday was the first time we were able to see what starts the cujo effect for 5. They were doing their little play fighting, but we think it escalated, then something snapped. 5 started to growl and hiss at 7 and both me and my wife. 7 wanted to get close to 5 kind of like to see what is going on... 5 would hide under the bed and hiss and growl.  She is such good natured all other times except these few times in her life. The hissing and growling is terrible. 7 just wants to keep getting close, but then walks away and gives 5 room. This can last from 1-3 days and when it is real bad that 5 is on the attack to 7, we separate them and put 5 in a room with food, water and litterbox to cool down. It takes a couple of days.
We call it the cujo effect because she snaps like... she is so loving, then this very infrequent.
She also when in this condition smells around like she does not recognize some of the house.

When I approach her who she loves, she gives me the same his and growl and goes under the bed.

After about an hour after this starts, 5 would seek out 7 and just watch her from around a sofa

We are thinking of taking her to the vet tomorrow... is it possible she has memory loss issues? Any thought appreciated.

It is now 1 day after this has happened and all is back to normal.. both are washing each other, but both are very tired today... we do not think they slept last night staying on watch

 

[p3 and the king]

It reads like overexaggeration overstimulation to me.  It's common for cats to become overstimulated in rough play or while being affectionate.  Jackson Galaxy describes it as electricity building up until it blows.  She has a very exaggerated case of this.  I wouldn't say it's memory loss.  But she needs a big time out, not punishment, but time out... A room with all her stuff so she can just deflate and calm down.  Don't bother her.  Just let her be. 

It could also be a chemical imbalance but I don't know enough about her medical history to be sure.  Plus, words say a lot less than a video.  So it is really hard to say without seeing it. 

However, misdirected aggression is common with overstimulation or whenever they get upset.  They lash out at whoever they can, whoever is closest.  It's nothing personal, but she is so worked up that she doesn't realize it.  She doesn't mean to hurt you.  But, like I said, just letting her be and putting her in a room by herself (if you can) and letting her have a time out can help a lot. 

I doubt the vet will be able to help you with this.  All they can do is check for physical reasons she does this.  Vets are not behavior specialist.  But maybe you can ask them about a behavior specialist you might be able to consult with.  A warning:  They are usually very expensive and it's not instant.  But it can be very beneficial. 

 

[moving2cats]

Thank you for your input.... what you say makes sense.  My wife and I discussed your reply and tried to think of the few times this has happened. 

This feline has a special bond with me.... always in my face, and lap... total love.   My wife recalls when I went away on business once, she was home with the two girls and this happened.... however my wife does not know what started it... it could have been a brawl, or just she missed me?? 

My wife timed her out in a room for three days, testing each day if things were OK.

My wife and I went on a vacation in September and we had a house and cat sitter... we went for 5 nights.... on the third night the sitter called us and told us of the same situation... she was scared....the 5 year old was at the 7, hid under the bed, same routine.  We told her to separate the two and she did put the 5 year old in our bedroom with her own food, water and litter.  She went in there now and then, but Gracie, showed the sitter her teeth, and growled from under the bed... the sitter just keep the room service up and stayed clear.  The 7 year old laid on the floor outside the door of the bedroom.

Once we got home, I opened the door and showed my face under the bed to Gracie and she at first growled so I went out... left the door open...

She came out within 5 minutes and the two started to clean each other.  All was right with the world.

My wife and I want to go on vacation again, this month.... but were worried this would happen... now that it has, we really are afraid of going.

The sitter said she would still come and house and cat sit and just have the bedroom ready incase she had to separate the two.

Just before seeing your reply, I was in our spare bedroom where she sleeps on the spare bed... I laid down and she laid down on her side as was I and she put her nose on my nose.... her paws kneading my chest and feet on my stomach.... purring loudly... and all is good....

But.... when will this happen again... can we go on vacation.... that is the big problem....     One last note.... as ticked off as she gets... she still uses the litter box with no problems.