Help please

[Totterdown]

My 18 month old tom cat has suddenly turned vicious for not apparent reason. Jumped up at me as I stood, wide eyed and teeth snarlling. Split second instinct made me put my arm across my face. All down my arm are nasty bite marks which would have been across my face (and maybe eyes) if I didn't instinctivelty put my arm up. He has never been a particularly friendly cat but I have never been attacked like this before. I am now scared of him. What should I do?

[andres]

Take him to the vet and see if there is any physical reason for this behaviour. He might be in pain .Or if he hasn't been neutered ,get that done right away.

[naomi24]

I also think he might be in pain. Get him checked over right away.

[bensmum]

Have to agree with andres here. It is the sort of behaviour which needs to be investigated by an expert

[Ice.Maiden]

I'd agree that the vet needs to take a look Totterdown. The first thing that came to mind when I read your post is that your cat's in pain somewhere. Let us know how things go on.

[BeatySwalls]

2.2mm rifle and a bin bag should do it. this cat is a theat to CHILDREN!!!!!!!!

[BeatySwalls]

sorry appologies thats a 22mm rifle. silly me :)

[Totterdown]

It was worrying to me to think a child could have been involved, but there wasn't. I think BeatySwall's reply was not funny if it was meant to be, and sickening is was supposed to be serious. To the other suggestions, thank you. I will get him to the vet tomorrow.

[Schutzengel]

Totterdown. I agree totally with most of the previous replies. Get him to the vet asap. I had a similar incident with one of my cats, and it turned out that he had an abscess on his body just behind one of his front legs, which wasn't obvious by looking at him. He must have been in a lot of pain, and as I reached out to stroke him he sprang at me in the way your cat did. Trip to the vet, abscess cleaned up and antibiotics, he was soon back to his usual self. If your cat is in a lot of pain, the vet who is used to this kind of problem can sedate him for the examination. Hope all goes well. Just be careful until you have an answer from the vet.

[BradleyGas]

As with Schutzengel, I agree with most of the posts here. Totterdown, you must take the cat to the vet tomorrow to see if there's an underlying problem. Let us know what they say

As for Beatyswalls comment, it was really insensitive.

[BeatySwalls]

insensitive maybe about the rifle but could you live with a child losing an eye or bieng scared for life. at the very least get it locked up in a caged up immediatelly until a pro can see it

[Schutzengel]

Beatyswalls. what makes you think there are children in the house, this wasn't mentioned by Totterdown. Your reply is over the top, and what you suggested in the first place is illegal.

[Ice.Maiden]

A cat that suddenly turns vicious is usually hurt or suffering in some way. You don't go around shooting them!

[Totterdown]

There are not children in the house. If there were of course I would be extra careful seeing what happened to me. Beatyswalls suggestion was beneath contempt. He/she is now trying to wriggle out of it by agreeing with another person that maybe he was insensitive. I was not asking for his kind of solution but was genuinely concerned and asking for sensible advice. The cat seems more settled now but I will still take him to the vet tomorrow and will not borrow a rifle and do the dastardly deed suggested by that sick minded individual.

[Schutzengel]

Totterdown. Please let us know how you get on at the vets. Schutz.

[Totterdown]

I am so grateful for all your kind answers (well most!). I will let you know how I get on this evening.

[wolf63]

Watch your bites. Even 'accidental' moggie bites can be dangerous.

I really hope that your little boy will be okay. It must have given you one hell of a scare. When you get him home give him the "don't bite your human slave" lecture - which he will ignore totally.

Best wishes Susan and her two feline bosses.

[Totterdown]

Back from the vets. There is nothing apparently wrong, thank goodness. Vet said perhaps he was spooked by another cat that caused his spiteful behaviour. Must admit to still being a bit scared to get too close to him. Little devil.
wolf63, thanks for your reply. I did give him a lecture telling him after all the attention I give him, he had to treat me like that. I also told him he was costing me a fortune and any more of his nonsense then he would be looking for a new home. I got a look as though to say "what in the hell are you talking about" and he ran straight to his food dish. Seriously, I will be very wary and the vet said take him back there if it happens again. Thanks for all your support.

[BradleyGas]

Well, its good there's nothing wrong with your little boy. Being spooked by another cat sounds quite plausible. Hopefully this won't happen again and he'll start behaving from now on.

[Totterdown]

I love the way he is referred to as my "little boy". Quite honestly, I don't know which is more trouble my little boy cat or my little boy child when he was small. At least I could dock pocket money with a child. I am sure my son would say "I was a good little boy, I was".

[Schutzengel]

Hi Totterdown. so glad to hear there was nothing seriously wrong with your cat. As the vet said perhaps something outside, such as another cat having a go at him, upset him, and it could just be a one off. He is still a young cat, and if something frightened him, he would be feeling very defensive, hence the attack. Hope all goes well. Schutz.