unprovoked agression

I took a cat in when he was 1 yr old he hadn' been treated well.
He's the most loveable affectionate boy, but can turn on me in a flash and bite...deep and hard,causing infections.
I have him on amitriptyine .1 ml a day, that helps somewhat.
He loves the outdoors and I take him in the yard 2x a day on his leash, problem is when I have to take him inside he gets mean....yesterday it was still when we were out and enjoying a loving petting...he just swoons when being petted and scratched but than suddenly turned on me and bit HARD...
I don't give up on animals easy but I'm getting really distrubed by this behavior and the infections I receive following the attacks.

[Jade59]

He may be getting too stimulated from the petting.  Even though he wants you to pet him, the length of time may be too much.  We have a neighbor cat that's just like this.  She's very tempremental.  She will rub on me like she wants me to pet her and seems to enjoy the petting when suddenly, she turns on me scratching, biting, but most of all, hissing.  It's very strange.  About 6mos ago, this cat started to frighten me with her aggression, then she seemed to snap out of it.  Very strange.  

Maybe your cat is in some kind of pain?  That's what it seemed with this neighbor cat.  As long as I stay up by her head, she's good, but pet down her spine toward her tail and she freaks out sometimes.  Your cat may have some sensitive areas.  

[PrettyKitty1]

I think Jade said it all.

Good Job hon :)

[Jade59]

Thank you, thank you very much :)

[opus88]

thankyou for the reply...no its not as simple as that, I've had many many cats most of my life and have lived with all temperments and behavioral issues...this one has the vet and I baffled.
Part of it yes could be over stimulation and usually I can predict his moods enough to tell when its time to back off.
His is not in pain..no, he is a very healthy boy....checked regularly...some teeth problems that r under good control.
Its not only happening when stimulated...I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED PRACTICALLY THE ONLY TIME HE BITES IS SPRING/SUMMER/FALL.
almost NIL during the winter months, when he is more relaxed.
Both my vet and myself have done some research on this and the only reasons we can come up with is that the SCENTS OF OTHER CATS that come thru my yard at night...sets him off in anger mode, so he becomes hyper vigilant(?) this makes some sense because when a stray should come up to the garden doors my cat(sami) goes absolutely MANIC....he runs and hits those windows so hard with his whole body I sometimes think they'll break...he hisses and howls and hits these windows again and again until the cat leaves..than he turns on my other cat and gives him a wallop, if I should ever try to touch him at this time I know I would get bitten...so I stay clear until he's settled. So I do know his moods and when to stay clear, but there are times when the change from content to aggressive is so instant I don't see it coming.
So I though I would get some others opinions as to any other options rather than more medication...I don't want to give up on this boy.
I welcome all your suggestions!

[Jade59]

Okay, well, good luck then :)   I am probably not the best person to give advice on male cat behaviour anyway as I've always had females.  

[PrettyKitty1]

Jade, your advice was great. You had very, very excellent points.

Opus, so you do know what's going on. Yes, some cats will act aggressively with the scent of other cats. Nothing you can do about that unless you move to a place where he doesn't get so stressed.  With cases like yours, I would not pet the cat for over 2 minutes even if he is all lovey dovey. For safety reasons, I would not pet him the way I would pet other cats which can tolerate the presence of other animals better. And, taking him out seems like a good idea, but being outside doesn't help, in my opinion. Cats can sense the presence of other cats from a long distance. He probably doesn't feel very protected being outside (but you tell me, he is your cat, you should know better, I'm just throwing random thoughts here see if it helps) Not feeling protected (or feeling threatened by another animal) isn't a good feeling and some kitties become super aggressive.
I'm sorry, I don't think I read very well, but does he become aggressive in the house too?

Good luck

[opus88]

thx for your reply, I like your title!!
sami is now 5 yrs old I took him in when he was a year old.
Yes he is aggressive in the house also, during the warmer months. He also gets aggressive when I take him inside again NOT just when I pet him, so he ssure has a temper as well, if he isn't ready to come in(after 1-2hrs outside) he grumbles all the way and will take a run at me and bite me in bck of my legs when gets inside the house door, so he is tempermental. I have to be super vigilent of his moods, I do love him as I  said before he is for the most part a very loving and perfect pet!!!
thx again for all the suggestions