Now Lily is acting totally strange!! (some improvement, as it seems)

[Kirsten]

Since Luna and I came back from the vet, Lily is behaving weird! She seems to be afraid of Luna, she's growling and hissing, she even hissed at me when I picked her up - and this comes from a girl that never hissed before in her entire life!!

I wouldn't be surprised if that was the first time that Luna came back from the vet, but she's been there many times, and Lily always greeted her friendly after that. Now it seems that she doesn't even recognize her!!!

I figure all the strange vet scents on her - in combination with the effects of the sedation - make Lily think it's a totally different cat. Lily's acting extremely confused and scared!

Kirsten

[jazzcat]

I bet it is the vet smell. Sometimes a few of mine will react this way when another returns from the vet. They don't always do it.

Maybe rubbing Luna with a blanket or towel that smells like your house with help make her smell normal to Lily and help her calm down.

[Kirsten]

Maybe rubbing Luna with a blanket or towel that smells like your house with help make her smell normal to Lily and help her calm down.

Good idea! I will do this later when Luna is feeling a bit better! She's still dizzy from the sedation!

Kirsten

[Randi]

I agree with Jazzcat, it's the vet smell. I don't think you need to worry - in fact you could take advantage of the situation and clip Luna's nails, clean her ears etc.

[Craftlady]

I agree, it's the dreaded "vet smell"

[jazzcat]

Kirsten, now that I am back from the vet with Ripley we are having the same issue. Both Rocky and Rumor hissed at Ripley when the first smelled him. Decker and Moxie won't leave him alone. The keep trying to sniff him, poor guy. He's angry enough as it is after having blood drawn and then sub-Q fluids injected. They better watch where they stick their noses, they may get a giant Ripley mitt swat.

They are even acting strange to me since I sat at the vet for an hour.

[catmandu]

I have to admit though that I have never had taht happen. When Juke Joint Joseph came home from the Vets All the Found Cats were lined up to escort thier friend up the stairs.
It was touching to see Joey so honored by his friends a payback to when he was niceto them whem they were new at the Found Paradise Cat Hotel.
We are praying that Lily and Luna are pals again soon as you certainly dont need all that stress.

[Sonia59]

Peppito is doing the same with Jasmine. He also does it sometimes when he is upset, for instance if we don't let him go out, he will hiss and raise his paw to tell Jasmine "stay out of my way, I am the boss", but that's it, there is never any further consequence (no fight or something).

[Kirsten]

Now, 24 hours after Luna came back from the vet, the situation hasn't changed. There's still a lot of hissing and growling when they meet, and meanwhile, Luna is getting defensive and scared of Lily, and also starts hissing back at her. I'm so upset!! Looks at this point that their friendship has broken, and if this doesn't get any better, I'm afraid I need to rehome Lily. This way, it's pure stress for both of them.

Never ever in her entire life I saw Lily acting like this!!

BTW, I tried to rub Lily's scent on Luna, but it didn't help.

Kirsten

[momtomany]

Try baby powder on both on everyone, that way they have the same scents. Works for me when my clan is upset with the "vet scent".

[lvpets2002]

Oh I think they will clam in time.. You might just keep them seperated for now.. I am very sure that Lily has got the scent of Luna'a Illness.. This could be making her unsettled.. Just wait a bit longer..

[Kirsten]

momtomany, I'll try that with the baby powder. Just don't have it here at hand right now...

lvpets2002, I hope they'll calm down!! I was wondering if Luna still has strange scent from the infusion she got to fill her bladder. Also, I fear Lily may feel a bit neglected. You know, like two siblings, when one is ill and is getting a lot of extra care and attention, and you just take it for granted that the other one is doing just fine... Need to spend some extra time with Lily now!

I hope this extra stress won't make Luna's UTIs getting worse!

Kirsten

[lvpets2002]

I am sure your on the right track.. Just watch them & if needed try to seperate for a bit of time.. I think they will settle..

[Catty1]

If you have no baby powder, try a drop of vanilla extract.

My mom's cats - Shiney used to hiss at Pyka for several days!

My cats have, so far, been too darn healthy for me to find out.....knock on wood.

[phesina]

Hi Kirsten,

I'm sure Lily is reacting to all the turmoil of the last few days (resulting in Luna getting lots of extra attention) and the "vet smells" on Luna. She likely is jealous and is afraid Luna is usurping her place in your affections.

My suggestion is to separate them for the time being and reintroduce them to each other's company slowly, and also to spend time with Lily giving her lots of extra attention and caring. And give Luna plenty of the same as she slowly gets used to life going back to its normal routine.

It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Be patient with the girls and with yourself, and take all this a step at a time. This has been a big upset for all three of you. You know all your PT friends are here with you every step of the way.

Sending loads of love and healing energy to Luna, Lily, and Kirsten!

Pat and the gang