Late developing male cat? Cat owners/vets - have you seen this?

[antiguru]

My male cat is 12 and was neutered as a kitten. About a year ago he started to become aggressive and territorial towards his brother and other cats in the village. We assumed a new cat had moved in nearby and decided to keep him in for a while to protect them both. He continued to be extremely aggressive indoors. In the last few months he has, I can only describe it like this, "butched up". He is much more solid than he was and he has chipmunk cheeks which feel very firm, but not tender. He cries intermittently all day and night. Vet has seen him twice and done basic bloods and can't find anything obvious. Any ideas?

[Kleiber]

Blimey - sounds strange! Did the vet who did the castrating do a proper job? I've known this with horses, sometimes they don't get cut properly and then start to exhibit "entire" behaviour as they mature. Sorry I can't be of any more help. K xx

[Kleiber]

Oops, I read that wrong! I was under the impression he was 12 months old, not 12 years! Even stranger...!!

[wolf63]

Is he maybe buying illicit drugs at the ice cream van in the village?

It seems strange that this is all happening years down the line. It sounds as if he is making testosterone somewhere - that is the limit of my cat knowledge.

Take him back to the vet - if he was my cat I would want him to be back to his normal nature. He is bound to be confused by all the changes.

Keep us informed of how you get on. Best wishes to both of you.

[GrumpyOldMan]

We have a similar problem with our 15 year old. Despite being done he sprays whenever there has been another cat around - or just when he feels like it.
My theory is that as cats (and dogs) get mature, they expect to be at the top of the hierarchy especially if not challenged, and display the behaviour one would normally expect frm an Alpha male in this situation. Just a theory

[bensmum]

Seems a bit unusual! Has the vet tested his hormone levels? It does sound as if he has too much testosterone which shouldn't be the case. However he may just be exerting his authority!

[antiguru]

Thanks everyone. Anyone know about how to stabilise hormone levels in cats?

His behaviour is very like a teenage boy going through puberty. Sometimes he is really sweet. If I could just get him to tidy up his room and stop mumbling..........

Seriously though, our vet already thinks I'm a nutcase so I'd like to sound (and feel) more like I know what I'm talking about when I take him back.

AG