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Post by melly on Sept 22, 2015 20:07:28 GMT
Update- it has been 24 hours, and it's getting WORSE!! the cats have always slept in our room with the door closed. Last night we had to keep Ash in our room and Ember got the rest of the house. Both cats yowled ALL NIGHT. Ash because he misses cuddling with his brother all night, and Ember because he wanted in (he probably misses his brother too, darn it cat, he's right here!!). He just about scratched our door down, too. Ember is still freaking out at the sight/smell of Ash. We have tried rubbing a towel on them both, feliway, catnip, etc... I know it's only been one day now, but I am stressed! Combined with Ash peeing on the floor every time he goes (2-4 times per day), it's frustrating!
Original post-
I can see how this happened, Ash probably smells different from going to the vet. Before, both cats have always gone to the vet together, so we've never have this issue.
Ash started peeing outside of his litter box a couple days ago, and acting tired/sad. So I took him to the vet, and he is on antibiotics now because he had an elevated white blood cell count.
When I brought him home, our other cat, Ember, stared at him with crazy eyes, got all fluffy, and started hissing! They have always been inseparable (brothers from the same litter, they are just over 1 year old), they cuddle and love on each other constantly. Can this be fixed? Will they go back to normal? I have them separated right now, going to give it some time.
Has this happened to your cats? Please tell me they eventually became best buddies again!
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Post by nurseypants on Sept 22, 2015 20:14:20 GMT
Yes, every time one gets a blood draw. I suspect the alcohol smell covers the cat's scent, so his friends don't recognize him. A few hours later they are fine.
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Sue
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,234 
Location: SE of Portland, Oregon
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Post by Sue on Sept 22, 2015 20:24:28 GMT
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Post by peanuttle on Sept 22, 2015 20:26:21 GMT
Hmm, no advice, but I find that very strange. I never knew that could happen in such a short amount of time. I hope he recognizes him soon.  |
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Post by Sassy Sabrina SWZ on Sept 22, 2015 20:57:10 GMT
It is amazing how much cats depend on their sense of smell to recognize other animals and people, even though they can see just fine. When I enter a room where my cat is lounging, she eyes me suspiciously, although she's not really alarmed, as she might be by an intruder. But she's wary. I hold out my hand to her to let her sniff my fingers. Then, she relaxes and goes back to sleep. I've heard of doing the same as what Sue suggested: take a piece of bedding or a clean cloth and rub it over the fur of the cat that stayed home, and then rub it on the cat that went to the vet. I hope your sick kitty is better soon and that the brothers are buddies again soon. |
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Post by krazykatlady on Sept 22, 2015 21:01:25 GMT
Always happens. He'll get over it eventually. I hope Ash feels better soon!
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Post by Zee on Sept 22, 2015 21:01:49 GMT
Cats are incredibly stupid  He'll figure it out once the sick cat smells like his old self. |
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phyllis
Junior Member
Posts: 56
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Post by phyllis on Sept 22, 2015 21:07:37 GMT
Hi Melly!
I'm brand new to the board, and became a member just so I could give you my advice on this! My 'twin boys' had this same issue!! They sound exactly like your kitties-- very loving and snugly to each other, and then Frankie had a urinary issue so had to go to the vet for a few hours to give a urine sample. (He was fine, just a slight infection) When we got home late in the afternoon, his brother, Clarkie, was petrified of him! Poor Frankie was so confused, and Clarkie ran and hid in the closet and hissed whenever Frankie came close! I kept them separate for overnight, and then let them work it out the next day. I offered treats near to each other, and they finally ate their dinner in close proximity. By Day 2, they were back to normal and have been ever since!!
Good luck! I'm sure they'll be back to normal, like my boys very soon!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 10:23:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2015 21:08:47 GMT
Yeah, I figured it out the hard way. One of my cats was really dirty and covered with pine pitch. I had to use a ton of conditioner in a bath to get it out of her fur. I dried her off with a towel, let her loose, and she was attacked by her brother. He did not recognize her smell anymore. I had to rub her in the blanket from her bed. It took about a day before he'd let her anywhere near him. Seriously dumbass cat -- they are from the same litter and never been separated. A little conditioner, and he can't recognize her anymore.
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Post by miss_lizzie on Sept 22, 2015 21:13:00 GMT
My cat did this to me when I came home from being in the hospital. Took her about a day to want to be with me again.
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Post by miss_lizzie on Sept 22, 2015 21:14:18 GMT
Hi Melly! I'm brand new to the board, and became a member just so I could give you my advice on this! My 'twin boys' had this same issue!! They sound exactly like your kitties-- very loving and snugly to each other, and then Frankie had a urinary issue so had to go to the vet for a few hours to give a urine sample. (He was fine, just a slight infection) When we got home late in the afternoon, his brother, Clarkie, was petrified of him! Poor Frankie was so confused, and Clarkie ran and hid in the closet and hissed whenever Frankie came close! I kept them separate for overnight, and then let them work it out the next day. I offered treats near to each other, and they finally ate their dinner in close proximity. By Day 2, they were back to normal and have been ever since!! Good luck! I'm sure they'll be back to normal, like my boys very soon! Welcome to the board! |
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
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Post by pridemom on Sept 22, 2015 21:17:30 GMT
My dog went to the groomer and got a summer shave. When we brought him home, he looked vastly different and smelled different (and better). My big male cat went after my dog twice in s few days time before he accepted him. We kept grumpy cat Lin the laundry room if we weren't home for the dog's safety.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Sept 22, 2015 21:44:57 GMT
Cats can very much be creatures of habit and any disturbance to what's normal for them, throws them off. It should resolve itself relatively quickly. Or, as @z*G says... cats are incredibly stupid. Lol. Welcome phyllis -- glad you joined us. |
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Post by ladytrisha on Sept 22, 2015 22:21:53 GMT
this mostly works with our 2 (Max will step in the backyard and when he comes back in, his sister thinks her space is invaded and goes nuts).
Grab a towel, rub it all over the one that dared to go out;
then take that towel and rub it all over the one that has no clue;
then rub it on the original one.
Then cross your fingers!
These are our last cats ... I thought 2 would be easier; instead we go thru jr high drama days with them. LOL
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Post by peasapie on Sept 22, 2015 22:29:56 GMT
Hi Melly! I'm brand new to the board, and became a member just so I could give you my advice on this! My 'twin boys' had this same issue!! They sound exactly like your kitties-- very loving and snugly to each other, and then Frankie had a urinary issue so had to go to the vet for a few hours to give a urine sample. (He was fine, just a slight infection) When we got home late in the afternoon, his brother, Clarkie, was petrified of him! Poor Frankie was so confused, and Clarkie ran and hid in the closet and hissed whenever Frankie came close! I kept them separate for overnight, and then let them work it out the next day. I offered treats near to each other, and they finally ate their dinner in close proximity. By Day 2, they were back to normal and have been ever since!! Good luck! I'm sure they'll be back to normal, like my boys very soon! Really nice of you to join up just to give some advice. :-) |
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Sept 22, 2015 22:42:13 GMT
A friend had this happen except she hadn't taken either cat to the vet. The vet told her that sometime if one cat is sick their smell changes and the other cat freaks out. She got the sick cat treated and all was right in their works again, so you just have to give it time.
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Post by 950nancy on Sept 22, 2015 22:46:07 GMT
I got a perm in sixth grade and my normally straight long hair was out of control. My dog barked at me when I got home and I cried. I hated it. Only because of that incident, I am giving your cat a pass. How do you not recognize your brother? From an hour ago? Cats.
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Post by melly on Sept 22, 2015 22:49:49 GMT
Thanks, great article! Love that suggestion to rub down Ash with Ember's bedding, will definitely do that! Cats are incredibly stupid  He'll figure it out once the sick cat smells like his old self. I like to think my cats are exceptionally intelligent creatures  but yep... This is pretty stupid. Lol! Hi Melly! I'm brand new to the board, and became a member just so I could give you my advice on this! My 'twin boys' had this same issue!! They sound exactly like your kitties-- very loving and snugly to each other, and then Frankie had a urinary issue so had to go to the vet for a few hours to give a urine sample. (He was fine, just a slight infection) When we got home late in the afternoon, his brother, Clarkie, was petrified of him! Poor Frankie was so confused, and Clarkie ran and hid in the closet and hissed whenever Frankie came close! I kept them separate for overnight, and then let them work it out the next day. I offered treats near to each other, and they finally ate their dinner in close proximity. By Day 2, they were back to normal and have been ever since!! Good luck! I'm sure they'll be back to normal, like my boys very soon! Hi Phyllis! Thanks so much for joining just to post on my thread, that is awesome! I appreciate your response! My cat situation sounds *exactly* like yours! I'm glad to hear your cats quickly got got back to their normal selves, that gives me hope! It's just SO strange to see Ember act that way to his beloved brother, I can't wait until he gets over his temporary confusion, lol. Yeah, I figured it out the hard way. One of my cats was really dirty and covered with pine pitch. I had to use a ton of conditioner in a bath to get it out of her fur. I dried her off with a towel, let her loose, and she was attacked by her brother. He did not recognize her smell anymore. I had to rub her in the blanket from her bed. It took about a day before he'd let her anywhere near him. Seriously dumbass cat -- they are from the same litter and never been separated. A little conditioner, and he can't recognize her anymore. This made me giggle a little- that doesn't sound like fun, sorry you had to go through that, but wow! Amazing. Sometimes cats really baffle me I'm glad it's not just my cat. His brother, who he has been with since birth, was only gone for 45 minutes, and he forgot him! Lol |
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Post by Outspoken on Sept 22, 2015 22:53:23 GMT
My cats do this! It drives me crazy because they go all hissy!!!
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Post by Lexica on Sept 22, 2015 23:00:36 GMT
I have 3 cats from the same litter and this has happened if they are apart for a vet visit or even if one cat stays downstairs near my "downstairs" cat for any length of time. I Added the downstairs kitty as a rescue last year and he will not go up my stairs at all. He an climb just fine, but he just sits at the bottom of the stairs and waits for us to come down.
If one of my original three spends any time downstairs, they get hissed at when they go back in my room, I'm assuming that they have picked up the other kitty's scent on their paws. I have had some success with Feliway, which will make them relax.
I've also gone the other direction and brought in some of the fresh catnip from the yard. It seems to make them forget about any spat between them. They all roll all over the fresh leaves before eating them, so I guess they all end up smelling the same. Or they are too drugged to care.
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Post by hop2 on Sept 22, 2015 23:11:59 GMT
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Sue
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,234
Location: SE of Portland, Oregon
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Post by Sue on Sept 22, 2015 23:20:12 GMT
Hello phyllis. Glad you jumped in on this subject and welcome to the board. Hope you stick around. |
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Post by kkooch on Sept 22, 2015 23:38:38 GMT
I know someone who eventually had to find a new home for one of her cats after a vet visit like this. She tried absolutely everything
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Nicole in TX
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,951
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Post by Nicole in TX on Sept 22, 2015 23:43:43 GMT
Yes. We always say, "Phew! You smell like the vet!"
It only lasts a few hours or so. I think they just pick up the scents of all of the other animals.
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,875
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Sept 23, 2015 0:17:11 GMT
Yep, happens to my brother and sister kitties every time they get separated. No matter how short the vet trip. Sister cat is always mean and hisses at brother when the other gets home.
We have separate cat carriers and if they both go, they're still jerks to each other for a little while after they get home.
ETA: Hope your kitty feels better soon!
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Post by Zee on Sept 23, 2015 0:19:13 GMT
I know someone who eventually had to find a new home for one of her cats after a vet visit like this. She tried absolutely everything Wow, that's weird. I've never had them not figure it out eventually. |
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Post by 950nancy on Sept 23, 2015 0:31:02 GMT
And if you do this to dogs, the stay at home dog greets the vet dog with a romp and hello, glad you are back greeting. I guess it is like the video of a parent dog teaching the pup to go down the stairs versus how the parent cat swats his/her kitten down the cellar.
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Post by penny on Sept 23, 2015 0:58:44 GMT
My cat did this to me when I came home from being in the hospital. Took her about a day to want to be with me again. Yup, has happened to me when I've been sick... Left the house for an hour (doctor and pharmacy), and the next morning she would just sit and stare at me like I had two heads... She got better but was uneasy around me the whole time I was on the meds (seven days), and then 'recognized' me the day after I stopped taking the meds... Dork... |
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katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,378
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Post by katybee on Sept 23, 2015 1:04:51 GMT
Are you sure you brought home the right cat? J/K |
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Post by femalebusiness on Sept 23, 2015 1:19:52 GMT
Hey there phyllis, welcome to the board. |
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but yep... This is pretty stupid. Lol! 
Time to get off the internet!
