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Cats/Kitty menopause
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Question
My rescue female kitty has been very sweet since we found her and brought her into our home about 3 months ago. Four weeks ago she was spayed. During the last week she has begun to attack the 5 year old neutered cat. Full on fight with claws, teeth and fur flying. Previous to this they got along fine. The young girl plays just fine with her male litter mate that we rescued with her. He was neutered the week before her spay. The older male and the young male play very well together as they have since the beginning. I thought everyone was getting along great until these attacks began last week. I was wondering if this was typical post spay, hormone change behavior that will subside over time. Or do I need to find the young ones a new home.
Marj,
I am wondering if she reacted to the anaesthetic or has gotten an infection? I am not a vet, but when you get a behavior change like that, the first thing to check for is a medical issue. So, I would take her back to the vet for a check up to make sure all is OK.
You will just have to play this "by ear". If the vet check does not find anything, you may just have to find a new home for the younger ones.
Please let me know what transpires.
Best regards... Norm.
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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