Whoa! ...."Attacked by my own cat....Please help.... What would you do?" [View All]

[tencats]

Not tencats, not this time thankfully.
I've only ever suffered a few deep bite wounds that got infected but didn't quite do me in. Then theres always the many of superficial scratch wounds to my arms legs hands from my ever loving cats. I talked with this girl briefly yesterday and sent her on to an expert in cat behavior. I think this could happen to to anyone that has a really big stressed-out fully clawed pet cat. It does remind me again to be careful though.

Her story:
"I have had two wonderful cats for the last six years. They are my babies.. they sleep with me, eat with me... I love them. Then came my boyfriend's dog. My cat Max took really well to the dog after a few introductions.. My other cat, Lenny, however, was NOT happy. One day I decided to pick him up and put him in my room so that he would stop freaking out while the dog was over. The dog was asleep in another room... I picked Lenny up to take him into my room to close the door. He turned towards me in my arms (he's a big Main Coon Cat.. 25lbs), put his ears back and jumped towards my head claws out and mauled me. I had to get 14 stitches and passed out from blood loss.... He lost one claw in the attack because he ripped my skull down to the bone.

This has been devastating for me on so many levels. At first I didn't realize how much I would be impacted by this... I mean, he is my baby...so gentle and such a lover... but he was so scared and out of his mind that he attacked me even though he was unprovoked.

Many people have told me I should put him down, which I disagree with. Other's say that I should have him de-clawed... which I am considering, but feel bad about. He is already 6 years old, it would be a HUGE change for him. But what most concerns me is that I no longer feel for him the way I used to. it has been two months since the attack, and my scars are still fresh. I don't let him sleep with me anymore and hardly ever touch him. I can't look at him the same way.. I don't even know if I love him anymore.

Call me crazy, but this REALLY has me down. What should I do.. what would YOU do if it were your baby that attacked you and scared you for life??? Do I give him to someone else? Do I keep him and get over it? Do I put him down? Do I de-claw him?

Please help.. I'd love to know your thoughts.. I'm tearing up inside."

Her pic in the EMR.
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