The invasion of the body snatchers

[Gemini]

Our long haired cat, at almost 19, has for a few years now had trouble grooming herself and consequently gets massive knots. A gentle cat by nature, she is a witch when you attempt to help her with all but the smallest knot and has bitten and scratched us many times.
Therefore every few months we take her to the vets to be sorted out. They mostly shave the worst bits.
Last time was August, and last week it was the worst it had ever been. They didn't do so good a job last time. They are terrified of stressing her too much and her keeling over due to her age.
We called in on Monday and spoke to them and explained, and we booked with the best people for the job.
We gave them Carte Blanche to shave as much of her as necessary, in fact the more the better. So, when we had a day out yesterday the cat spent the day at the vets. Having her most of the day was good, as they could rest her in between bouts.
They said they woud leave her head and (very fluffy) tail.
When we collected her she has her tail, her head and face and a little 'shawl' over her shoulders. Apart from that totally bald!
It will grow, and we are glad they did it.

However the other female cat isn't happy and doesn't seem to recognise her! They came from separate litters in the same household. I brought them home together and they have been together ever since.
Now she hisses at her and is unhappy to be near her.
I think she is confused by it seeming as though her sisters head is on a totally alien body!
I really think she feels something has taken over her sisters body. The male cat looked a bit surprised, sniffed her a bit then got over it!
Older cats can get confused anyway , and this isn't helping.
I hope she gets used to her soon. OH and I will both be out this afternoon, and then again this evening so we won't be able to help or comfort them. Last night we made sure they both had plenty of fuss and cuddles.
I will update on this later.

[Daisy]

Gem - poor old lady (the long haired cat, not you because you're only 64!)

I wonder if her 'sister' is reacting badly because the one with the poodle cut smells differently because of being in the vets., and perhaps producing different chemicals because she was stressed. I wonder if the scent of the cat is more important than her appearance. But hopefully she will soon be accepted back into the fold.

[Oma]

Aww bless her , but I cant help but laugh sorry she must look so strange , shame you haven't got a little coat or jumper you can put on her till it starts to grow , she might feel the cold too ,
Hope her sister realises its her today , she may have smelt of the vets too

[Gemini]

We thought smell was more important than appearance too, but she has been to the vets many times and not had this reaction on her return, when she didn't look as radically different.
Oma, a coat is a good idea!
This photo was taken just after she arrived back home yesterday.

[Nanto2girls]

Aww bless her. I know what you mean about the fur getting knotted.
Our cat (deceased now) was the same when she got older.
Hope the other female realizes who it is.

[Gemini]

We think she now realises, is but is angry with her for being different!!
She looked afraid of her yesterday, but she doesn't now.

If she was human I would say 'It's not all about you!!'
The poor cat who underwent the ordeal (including having a skin tag nicked by mistake) and is bald, and maybe chilly is coping fine!

[Mimi]

Oh Gem I’m sorry but I did chuckle when I saw poor puss but it is the lesser of the two evils. It will grow back eventually. Perhaps the other cat finds that she smells a little different at the moment.
Our cat gets a little ‘lazy ‘ from time to time when it comes to grooming and I have to attempt to comb her which is akin to taking on a cat that specialises in all forms of martial arts with added spitting and growling.

[Plantaholic]

Oh dear she does look a little strange, hope the other cat accepts that she is her friend.

[Grauntie Mag]

Poor old Puss! It will grow quickly though. My old girl is the opposite, can’t get enough brushing. When we had the dog she used to push between us at grooming time, but then she is a short hair.

[Qwerty]

Oooohh he looks angry Gem !!!!!

[Gemini]

All is back to normal in the cat household
By day 3 the shaved cat was totally accepted and all histrionics over with.
The fur is starting to grow back. When she is asleep we cover her with a baby blanket, as her back must be cold!
Now to try to keep the knots at bay when it has grown back.

[Daisy]

Gem - I'm glad peace is restored. Poor little girl must have felt ostracised - the nasty vet-person stole all her fur and then her sister was cross with her! I'm sure she appreciates the extra warmth of a blanket at night.

[Gemini]

Here she is wrapped in her baby blanket

[Sunshine]

Snuggle babe xx

[Daisy]

Awww, bless her.