Freaked out cat - Help!

[Beth]

I'm afraid my cat has gone crazy. She hates the sight, smell, or sound of other cats. She recently got out in our backyard and was confronted by a neighbor cat. She flipped out and started screaming and hissing. We ran the other cat off, but she wouldn't calm down. We finally wrangled her back inside, but she is scared to death of us, her loyal caretakers. We cannot walk toward her without her cowering and screaming and hissing. When we come near her, sometimes she urinates. Last night, we finally were able to pet her, but if we walked out of the room and back in again, she would start screaming and hissing all over again as if she doesn't know us. I am really scared. I love my cat, but I cannot be a prisoner in my own home. I have a 1-yr. old son who I am afraid she might hurt. Right now, she is closed in a spare bedroom with her litter box and plenty of food and water to last a few days. I think I will leave her in there and see if she will calm down any. The vet said that tranquilizers are very contraindicated right now because she is so hyped up. Has anyone seen anything like this? I don't want to have to put her down. HELP!

[davet]

valium or ace promazine for a couple days to see if she can get zonked out for a couple days to let this experience pass..With very aggressive police dogs, ie ones that have been trained to be aggressive they will anesthetize them for a couple days (with ivs etc) and they often revert back to a normal non aggressive dog...this is extreme but it does work...

[Traci]

Tranquilizers are not the solution, your patience and time spent with her is.

When you let her outside, you introduced an entirely new world to her, one that ultimately was frightening, it's going to take some time for her to get that out of her memory. One solution is to never let her outside again, for her safety... I won't go into the details, but I'm sure you get the picture; agressive cats, dogs, hit by car, weather elements, all are preventable disasters.

Don't keep her shut in this room, she needs to feel calmed and comfortable, that means you must spend time with her and do whatever is necessary to calm her. If she hisses, don't back off and simply retreat to try hours later. Stay in the room with her and talk to her with a calm, soothing voice. Use toys or treats to tempt her into getting close to you again. Use whatever methods you used when you first adopted her to bond with her.

It's going to take alittle time, it won't happen overnight, but do NOT ignore her. Stay with her and coax her out of hiding, and devote your time to this matter. She will eventually come around.

[MA]

I would also be afraid she has been hurt- bit or maybe just scared. Don't confine her, because that is punishing her and she needs to be with people she can trust. If she comes out, just don't look her in the eyes right now, she is to traumatized for sure.

[Andyck]

Kitty’s are extremely sensitive to their environment and easily frightened of the unknown. Being outside in unfamiliar territory heightened her fear, and being confronted by another cat probably sent her into “overload”, and confining her to a room without contact or interaction from you will reinforce her fear and anxiety.

What she needs right now is comfort, familiarity, and to know she is safe. Spend time with her reassuring she did nothing wrong, she is safe and loved, and encourage play and positive interaction with you. It will take time, but the more time you spend with her the quicker she will respond and the stronger your bond will be.

[Tina B and crew]

I'm going to agree with everyone else here...there is no reason why you should have to put her down. I understand your concern about your son's safety....I'd simply keep your son away from the cat for a while. But do be sure to give the kitty plenty of attention and love...I agree that confining her all the time is not going to be the answer. I do agree however that sometimes confining a cat for short periods of time is needed (we had a cat do the freak out once and had to confine her away from our other cat to keep her from seriously injuring him)...but you must give them attention. Patience is the key...as is a vet check. I too would recommend that you keep the kitty inside from now on. Good luck...do keep us posted

[Beth]

I REALLY appreciate everyone's advice. As you could tell I was at my wit's end. However, Cassie seems to be doing much better today. I know it will be a slow process, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. She definitely will NOT be going outside anymore.

Thanks again,

Beth