Help, what's wrong with my cat?

Question

Around 6 weeks ago, my boyfriend and I adopted Boo (1.5 year old kitty) from the local animal shelter. We did our routine vet checkup, she was fine (other than worms). Almost three weeks ago, we adopted another kitty, Cortana. Both Boo and Cortana are female. Cortana is 7 months old.

When Cortana came home (not from the shelter, from an old friend who is not a cat person), Boo immediately took a liking to her. Cortana hid for about a day to two days. Cortana hissed (never scratched or attacked) at Boo. Within three days, the two were playing with each other.

I looked up what people considered "playing"--They pounced on each other, no "posturing" (except one time). No hissing or biting or scratching when playing, no "hot-oven paw movement" on each other. It was legitimate "tag" almost. They would take turns chasing each other. They'd sit on the bed with each other, both purring. 

History on Boo: When we first got Boo, she was a lap kitty. She'd coo at the door when we came home, constantly wanting in our laps, fluffing up our laps, etc. She has dry skin according to the vet (she came home with dry skin, has continued to have it). Even before Cortana came into the picture, when Boo would shed she sheds in clumps (little black patches of fur here and there on the floor).

Ever since about a week ago, two weeks after getting Cortana, Boo's mood has all of a sudden changed. She has a teensie bit of eye discharge (no longer present in her eyes today). Her fur doesn't look...well, well-groomed, I suppose. Right below her neck it's like it got some kind of water on it, so it's matted? (not sure how to describe that). Cortana didn't attack her or bite her there--I groomed Boo last night, and woke up this morning and it's there again. It just seems like Boo's coat isn't quite as shiny as before, and in looking at her eyes...it's just she's got that faraway look to her. She no longer is enthusiastic to play with Cortana (who tries her best to nuzzle up to Boo, and Boo is no longer having it, she just walks away or ignores it). Boo doesn't hiss, bite, scratch, or flatten her ears at Cortana. I can't tell if Boo is eating (Cortana is a pig). We've tried putting Boo in our room at night (without Cortana) to see if she'll eat anything--the food has remained untouched. She didn't get off the bed to my knowledge, either--she hasn't gotten off the bed any of the nights she sleeps with us for the past two nights. She won't play with the red laser, won't play with hair ties, nothing.

I'm just so lost. Boo used to be a loving cat. She was loving even with the introduction to Cortana. And then last Tuesday, just a polar opposite change. Half the time she walks away when we try to pet her (this got a bit better yesterday, she walked up to me and rubbed against my leg)...but her playfulness is nonexistent.

I can't tell if she's sick, depressed...unhappy with the new kitty. It's snowing outside so I can't make it to the vet today but it's supposed to be warmer later today (hopefully it melts). I'd welcome any advice or help.

Thanks.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

It sounds like your Boo might need a vet visit.  
When you look in her eyes does she have a "third" eyelid near the inside corner showing?  This is usually a sign (beyond the other signs you mention, like not playing) that the cat is not well.  Eating, drinking, using the litter box and playing are like the top visible changes your vet will ask you about.  So it's good for you to keep her separated from Cortana to monitor her intake and output (litter box) until you can take her to the vet.  Did you offer her any wet food?
Have you checked her stools?  Are they normal?  When you had your routine vet visit did your cat receive any vaccines or was that done at the shelter?.   Because cats are quite stoic, you should really get her to the vet.  Considering the change was so sudden and dramatic.  Eye dish charge could also be related to an upper respiratory infection (but would also be accompanied by sneezing, runny nose).
Good luck!  
Hopefully, she'll be back to herself in no time!

moongloom · Answer

Update based on your edited information:

Separating them is a very good idea until you know what is going.

Also I really think you need a good vet. I lost at least one of my cats because the vet was incompetent. Do not settle for "reintroduction". Do not let them blame it on non physical things. Maybe it is just a matter of reintroduction but the risk is too high. At least you need testing for: Parasites; FIV aka Feline aids; Feline leukemia and more common diseases.  Any vet should be able to order these tests.

***************************** my original post *********************************
It is impossible to diagnose a cat without seeing her. Nevertheless I tell you where to begin.

First of all please get a good vet. Not a second rate one who knows how to give a vaccine. You need a good one who knows what to look for. I noted university animal hospitals have good vets.

1) The solution really depends on what is wrong. Therefore you need to find out if it is physical or not. I would not worry about going right at this second but go in the next 24 hours if possible. It may be urgent to start treatment for one or both.
2) Did you get Cortana examined by a vet before bringing her home? If not you must do it. Please make sure to get both of them tested for parasites; viral and other infections. If you did then just take Boo and have her checked. If it is physical the vet should advise you.
2) If there is nothing physically wrong the simplest thing is to separate them and see how it goes. Remember Boo feels she owns the house. You need to move Cortana not Boo and to a different house if possible. Assuming this works you should put them back together; it'll work out.

If all the above fails then you need to do more work. You may need to read up on kitty psychology; get a recommendation from your vet and so on. You should also get a second opinion on the physical stuff to make sure the vet is right.

Anonymous · Answer

by using the time you modify into attentive to a metamorphosis on your cat's habit the cat has been in misery for relatively a while. No thank you to tell what's incorrect of direction, vomiting is a symptom of many stuff, plausible poisoning. The prognosis desires to made by using the veterinarian. To do? flow exterior and get the cat into the homestead. Take the cat in to the veterinarian ASAP.

wolfman · Answer

Take her to the vet tomorrow.

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Help, what's wrong with my cat?

4 Answers