4/21 Kismet AMPS 151, +3 106. Trauma. UPDATE - Cat Fight

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Courtney and Kismet

Courtney and Kismet

Member Since 2012
Happy Sunday LL,

Yesterday was moving day, and a very traumatic day for Kizzy. I dropped him off at my Mom's after +2, and picked him up about +7 to bring him to the new house.
He was very nervous yesterday morning from all the commotion before the movers even got there. He ate about 1/3 of his breffi, and I sent him over to my Mom's with his auto feeder. My older sister lives with my Mom and has 4 cats. They kept Kismet locked up in the guest room with his LB, toys, and fuds. That room is impossibly cluttered and overcrowded with junk. (My Mom and sis are serious hoarders and pack rats, but clean! Just a lot of stuff.) They renovated the house about 4 years ago, and there are extra floor boards, boxes full of stuff, and just junk everywhere. When I went to go get Kismet, he was hiding under the bed. There was no way to move the bed since there are heavy floor boards blocking it, but I was able to inch it out enough that I could see under the bed and try to coax him out. He hissed, growled, and cried. He has never done anything of these things to me before. I laid on the floor for an hour trying to sweet talk him, but he refused to budge. I tried food, cat nip, everything, but he still refused to move. He had gone to the bathroom under the bed, number one and number two. He has never done anything like this before. :sad:

After an hour of sweet talking, I finally lost my patience and screamed at him. That did the trick, he went racing out from under the bed, and my sister opened the door because she heard me screaming and was coming to see what was going on. I yelled at her to shut the door, and he almost escaped, but she slammed the door on his paw and he let out the most blood curdling scream. He started panting and jumped up on the window sill, and relieved himself again (urinated.) I approached him slowly, picked him up and cradled him to my chest. I didn't say a word and just sat down on the bed and held him and pet him until he calmed down and started purring. I was able to get him in his carrier and get him home. I think he was scared of the other cats, even though they were separated. One of her cats had diarrhea earlier right outside the door of the room he was in, and they sat there by the door and growled and hissed for hours, apparently. I don't know why they didn't move her stupid cat away. I have learned a valuable, and very hard lesson.

When we got to the new house, I took him into our office (few places to hide) and set him up with his cat bed, LB, etc. He hid in the closet, so I put his bed in there and left him alone. I closed off the door and just let him relax quietly for a few hours. I opened the door after a little while to let him come out if he felt like it, but he stayed in the closet the whole time. I picked him up and took him to each room, put him down, and let him thoroughly investigate each room, then I brought him to our bedroom. I decided to put on the same sheets we had been using so it would smell familiar. It worked! He relaxed and cuddled, and purred. Finally he felt brave enough to jump down and start exploring independently.

I wasn't sure if he would eat or not, so I fed him a little bit after getting his PMBG reading. He inhaled his dinner, so I shot about 5 minutes late. After dinner, he owned the new place. He was walking around confidently with his tail held high and jumped up to the top tier of his tower as I mopped the floors (omg, this house is so dirty I can't even explain... :roll: )

He slept with us, and even decided to get under the covers and do zoomies at 5:30am ohmygod_smile ohmygod_smile :lol: :lol: I didn't mind that he woke me up when he attacked my foot, I was just so happy that he was feeling relaxed and playful.

I figured he would eat just fine this morning, so I went ahead and shot ohmygod_smile Nope. Refused Food. I opened up a different can of FF and offered that, and he took a couple of licks. He ate about a tsp at +2, and just ate a little bit more at +3. Hopefully his appy will come back soon.

Anyway, so that is our long, traumatic story. Other than that, moving went mostly well. There are some major issues, but that's a different story. Kiz is doing ok, is adjusting well, and that's all that matters. The most traumatic part of his day was going to my Mother's. I have never seen him so scared, and I can't believe that he relieved himself out of fear. Poor guy. I should never have brought him there. His paw is just fine, too, btw, in case you were wondering. He is walking fine and doesn't have any sensitivity when I touch it.

What a day.

I have a paper due tomorrow morning by noon, so I have to scramble here. I will check back in once the dust settles.

Condo from 4/19

Yesterday
AMPS 244
+2--- 142
PMPS 232
+2--- 147
+3--- 124

Today
AMPS 151
+3--- 106
 
Re: 4/21 Kismet AMPS 151, +3 106. Bad Appy. Trauma.

Paws crossed Kismet settles in and appy returns. Sounds like a traumatic time for all. :YMHUG:
 
Re: 4/21 Kismet AMPS 151, +3 106. Bad Appy. Trauma.

Sorry to hear that the "safe place" at your mom's didn't work out.

Nice trick with putting the old sheets back on your bed. Still smells the same to Kismet and makes for a happy kitty. Glad to hear that exploring of the new abode is going on.

Settle in safely and enjoy the new digs. It all takes time.
 
Re: 4/21 Kismet AMPS 151, +3 106. Bad Appy. Trauma.

Aww, poor Kizzy, and poor you. I sure you're all glad that yesterday is behind you, and now you can settle in to settling in. Sending calming and appy vines your way!!
 
Re: 4/21 Kismet AMPS 151, +3 106. Bad Appy. Trauma. Cat figh

Hi Anne, he is doing much better today. I was just working on my paper (sitting on the bed) and he came up and wanted some face time. I couldn't refuse him, so I set the computer aside and let him crawl up on my chest for kisses, cuddles, and purrs. I tried his food again, and held the bowl while he ate. He has now eaten an entire can of FF, thank goodness! So spoiled, he would only eat it on the bed :lol: I guess he feels more safe and secure up off the floor. He has been lounging on his cat tree, the dressers, the table, and the bed. So much better than hiding under the bed like he did yesterday.

Hi Deb, yep, my Mom's house was a terrible idea. I could have brought him here and kept him locked up in the bathroom, but I figured the commotion of the movers coming in and out would be traumatic. I was also afraid he might escape if someone accidentally opened the door to the bathroom as the front door was wide open the entire time. He stayed with my Mom once before when he was a kitten and we went out of town, and there was no issue. He got along well with the other cats, etc., so I figured there would be no issue. He hasn't seem those cats in a few years, though, and not since diagnosis of asthma and diabetes.

Her cats are free fed dry food, so I asked that they keep them separated while he was over there yesterday. I didn't know they were going to lock him up in the guestroom, though, which was a terrible idea.

There are too many places to hide and way too difficult (impossible) to navigate the room or move any furniture. I didn't know just how cluttered that room is, and I would have requested that they keep him somewhere else had I known. I literally had to walk on top of things (boxes, piles of wood, old comforters, sheets, towels, etc) when I went in. It used to my old bedroom, and it's my old bed, and there are some of my childhood things in the room. My mom said she thought he'd be most comfortable in there because it might smell like me some, but I guess not. It was awful. I can't believe how upset he was.

UPDATE on Incident yesterday -- Bad Cat Fight
I just got off the phone with my sister to find out what happened yesterday while he was there. I didn't get a chance to talk to them much after I picked him up. I spent an hour in the room last night trying to get him out, and I was so upset when I finally got him, that I just left and didn't stay to chat.

She said her cats sat on the other side of the door and hissed and growled, and banged to get inside the whole time, and she could do nothing to stop them (yeah right.) She could have locked them up in her room, but that would be asking "too much" :roll: :roll: :roll: . She said Kismet was silent the whole time, and she went in once to check on him after the first hour he was there. He was lying on the bed and let her pet him, but then one of her cats came in, and Kismet stood up, arched his back, and startled growling and then jumped down and hid under the bed and growled and hissed. Her cat apparently made a mad dash under the bed and there was a fight. She said they hissed, and growled, and Kismet started panting and crying. She said there was a bad fight that lasted for about 2 minutes. She couldn't get under the bed either, so she screamed for her cat and he finally went running out. She said she tried to see if Kismet was okay, and when she leaned down to look under the bed, he lunged forward and attacked her hand. She said he bit her and scratched her pretty badly, so she just left the room. I had no idea! ]He has NEVER attacked anybody before! My poor, poor baby! He must have been so terrified. I don't know why they didn't say anything about this when I went to go pick him up yesterday. I wish I would have known! They should have called me right away and I would have come to get him. I gave my Mom his albuterol (rescue inhaler) just in case, and I asked her to please keep a close watch as he could have an attack from any stress. They apparently never checked on him again after the incident with her cat. I have no idea if he had an attack of what. She said she could hear him panting after that fight, but didn't think it was asthma.

I am assuming that he stayed under the bed for the rest of the time he was there. I wish they would have called me. I can't believe this! I will never, ever bring him there again. Usually when we would go out of town, I'd leave him at home and give my Mom a key to come in and check on him. Obviously it is not a safe environment for him.


When I went to pick him up, I could see that he had gone to the bathroom under the bed. And then he urinated again when I finally got him out from under the bed (see story in first post.) My Mom graciously offered to clean everything up for me, although I have no idea how she can get under the bed :shock: :? :sad:

Anyway, the worst of it is over and Kismet is just fine now. He ate the rest of his food (a whole can of FF) and is acting totally normal. I guess after the trauma at my Mom's, the new house anxiety pales in comparison.

I feel just so, so awful about the whole thing! When I got home with him last night, I had a really good cry. I didn't know all the details of what had happened, but I was so upset by the whole ordeal when I went to pick him up. He has never hissed at me before, ever. And then the fear in his eyes when he peed on the windowsill is something that will haunt me forever. I have never seen him so scared, and I hope I never have to. My heart breaks for him! The poor guy! Abandoned in an awful place with nasty kitties tormenting him! I wonder if OC pooed outside the door on purpose to upset Kismet? I know they will urinate to mark territory, but to have diarrhea? Has anyone heard of anything like that?
 
Hi Amy, sorry, I was typing when you posted! Thanks for the appy vines, appy is all good now :-D

I forgot to mention that I checked Kismet thoroughly after I got off the phone with my sister. I found a bite wound on the side of his neck, but it doesn't look infected. I cleaned it with some hydrogen peroxide and put some neosporin on it. He flinched a little bit when I used the peroxide. I will have to keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn't get infected. I will take him to the vet if need be.
 
((((Courtney)))) How awful! Poor Kismet, poor you. I am really sorry all of that happened. I'm glad K is feeling better now. The fight does explain why he was so upset when you went to pick him up.

Hydrogen peroxide is not a good choice on a cat scratch or bite as it tends to seal up the wound. (I found this out when I got scratched at Thanksgiving). Warm water and soap is better. I think iodine might be a good disinfectant.
Liz
 
Awe poor Kismet... I really hope he is feeling better and that all the stress from that situation is gone soon. I wouldnt take Kismet there again - as it sounds like they didnt care about helping him or making sure he was okay. I would be really upset if my cat was put in that situation so I understand how you feel. Glad to hear that Kismet is starting to adjust to the new house and getting his appetite back. I hope the wound on his neck heals soon and that he likes the new house.
 
Hi Courtney, I was just catching up on your moving and the cat fight. So sorry you and Kizzie had to experience so much trauma with the move. Sending healing and calming vines for Kizzie and hope the bite doesn't get infected. Hugs for you.
 
Oh Courtney,

I am soooooo sorry to hear about the trauma!!!!!
I will be thinking about you and sending healing vines your way!
I am soooo happy that you are in your new place and that Kizzy will start to feel at home!

Hugz,
Rich & Rex
 
Hi Liz, Yes, the cat fight explains his weird behavior when I went to pick him up. I have heard the expressions "scared shitless" and "scared the piss out of me" but never knew there was any truth to them. I have never seen an animal so terrified that it lost control of its bladder and bowels. Thanks for the tip re: hydrogen peroxide. I didn't know that... I will clean it later with antibacterial soap and some more neosporin. They don't look like very deep puncture wounds, but we're watching it very closely.

Hi Jamie, I totally agree. I am appalled at both my Mother and sister. Since they have 4 cats, you'd figure they would know better. I am very mad that they didn't tell me when I got there. All they said was that the 4 other cats were holding vigil outside the door and carrying on. I had no idea there was a fight! How could they not tell me? Why the @$%@$ didn't they call me? I had to curb my tongue when talking to my sister --- it's over and done with, and no need to start a fight. I just said I wish that they had called/told me when I got there. The whole situation is dumbfounding to me. I just don't get it... common sense, anyone?! They know he is a special needs kitty, too. I just don't even know... Maybe they didn't want to upset me or interrupt the move knowing I was busy? I feel like information was purposely withheld, for whatever reason. But he will never go there again. Of that I am certain.

Hi Ann, thanks for the vines. He is totally fine now, as though nothing ever happened. Like I said, I guess the trauma of yesterday was so great that the new house isn't scary, or as scary as it would have been.

Thank you all for your vines and well wishes. They are greatly appreciated!
 
ohmygod_smile ohmygod_smile ohmygod_smile poor Kizzy and you, too Courtney! I'm so sorry. How crazy is all that? You would think before she went int the room, she'd put her cats somewhere else.

I'd check him over two or three times.
 
Courtney,

Whew, just read what happened to Kismet. Poor kitty. When I used to move, I would put all 4 cats in a carrier before the movers would come put them in my car with towels over them, take them to the new house and put the carriers in a room away from the noise until the moving was done. They were fine in their carriers for a short time. Once the movers were gone I would let them out to check things out.
Also watch the wound on his neck. An abcess can develop from a bite wound and it is not a pretty thing. One of my ferals had an abcess the size of about a half of a baseball on the side of his face from a puncture wound of some type( a cat fight).
I had to trap him and take him to the vet. I am glad Kismet is alright.

Terri
 
Courtney, I'm so sorry about the trauma Kismet went through. I'm glad he is doing better today and hope the cat bite heals without any problems. That's great he is getting used to the new place so quickly.
 
Yikes on the move and the fight! I'm sorry you and Kizmet had to go through all that. Hopefully you can all relax in the new place now.

Echoing others on watching the wound site. You might want to put a warm compress on it for a minute once or twice a day to help keep it open and clean. When I worked/volunteered at the shelter fights and abscesses were an ongoing concern.
 
Fear can cause loss of bladder and/or bowel control. With cats, like your sisters, it may have also been a way of marking the territory.

I hope both you and Kismet are relaxing and getting acclimated to the new surroundings.
 
Courtney, what a terrible ordeal for Kizmet! I am so glad that he has settled down in his new house and is OK. Do keep an eye on that bite wound. Just plain soap and hot water to wash out the wound; all the first-aid books say this. Then Neosporin or something similar would be fine.
Lots of healing vines and vines for good adjustment to the new house.

Hugs and scritches,

Ella & Rusty
 
Oh. My.
I'm so sorry about this ~ it must've been so hard on both Kismet and you.
I'm glad you guys are getting settled and it sounds like Kizzy's more relaxed.
Good luck with the unpacking (I think that's the fun part of moving!) and I hope K's wound heals well.
Sending many vines of all kinds your way!
Give K a scritch from us!
cat_pet_icon
 
HI Courtney :-D

I am so sorry that things did not go well for Kismet while you moved. What a traumatic day for him. I am glad that he is alright, and adjusting well to his new home. Sorry for the neck bite, and hope that there are no issues. oh my goodness on it all.

Good luck with your move, and all that you have going on right now. I know that there is alot on your plate. I will be thinking of you guys.
 
Courtney! That's awful! I was horrified at your story from moving day. I would have been very upset too! I sure hope Kiz is ok. Before you know it, he'll rule the roost and all will be well. I'm just glad this is all over for you both. Sending anti-anxiety vines for the rest of the week and wonderful cuddle times to make new memories in your new home. Sending lots of love to you both. :smile:
 
(((((Courtney)))))

What an awful situation to have to go thru .....
at least it's over and you know to avoid it ever again....

I hope tonite you are both feeling calmer and can focus on getting settled.
 
Ah Courtney I am sorry to hear of the trauma days for you and Kismet. I am not surprised at the stress, the urination or the fight. Kittehs can get sooooo scared and then lash out any anyone/thing nearby. When I changed apartments in the fall, I was in a dilemma what to do with Leo, but he got the bathroom treatment at the first apartment and then I kept him in the car for part of the move-in at the second place (and watched him every moment - it wasn't hot out. At least he didn't have any other cats to deal with so he was just really really scared. But he's had some hiss-outs with a couple of cats who have taken over his outside turn at home and wails something awful. I run the other cat(s) off but sometimes Leo is so upset he swats me. Those things I forgive. It was just the very stressful situation Kismet was dealing with, nothing wrong with Kismet.

I hope all goes well with your mom and this goes behind you.
Lisa & Leo
 
I'm so sorry all this trauma happened to Kismet and to you! What an awful day for both of you. I actually was thinking that something must have happened at your mom's to get him so very upset, then saw your post about the fight.

It's not uncommon to see peeing and pooping under conditions of stress and fear, and also aggressive behavior. A cat that's terrified seems not to even be aware of what he's attacking, just goes after anything that moves towards him. In fairness to your mom and sister, they must have been very upset by all this too and afraid to approach Kismet again after he scratched your sister, both for self-protection and to avoid upsetting him even more. They should have been more careful not to let the other cat into the room, but cats can be VERY fast and determined in those situations when territory is being invaded. They should have called you, though. The diarrhea in the other cat was undoubtedly also caused by stress since they can feel very threatened by strange cats in their territory. You're right not to take Kismet back there ever again since now he'll associate that house with all that trauma.

Fingers crossed that Kismet continues to settle in peacefully to his new home!
 
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