Hi. I have a 7 month old female cat, and something seems very wrong with her. She's usually really playful and loving, never spooked by anything or anyone, unless it's a dog she hasn't met. Today, before I left the house, she was her usual self. Meowing at me when I'd say her name, letting me hold her and pet her. I left her home for 2 hours (she's used to being left home alone for 2-8 hours at a time), and when I came home, she seemed normal. She didn't meow at me when I called her name, but she sat next to the bed, which is what she does when she wants picked up. I picked her up, and she just attacked me out of nowhere, leaving a gash down my hand, cutting my eyelid and my ear. To punish her for anything, I just put her in the bathroom (where her food and litter box is) for a couple of hours, so that's what I did. After about an hour, I went into the bathroom to see if she was any better, but when I picked her up, she clawed and jumped out of my arms. I finally gave up and put her in the bathroom for 2 hours, giving her time to herself. She did her usual cutesy meow to get out, so I figured she just HAD to feel better now, but I was wrong again. I reached down to pet her, and she hissed and jumped away from me.
I went to the people I got her from three months ago and asked them what to do, and they were claiming rabies, but we don't have mice in our home and she's never been outside. She also isn't walking funny or anything, just having a bad temper. They told me she could be going into heat, but I've had cats before, and I know that they're more affectionate when in heat. According to her old owners, every kitten born from this one's mother all have stomach issues, and she has gotten sick 2 times since I've gotten her. I finally found her a food that she hasn't gotten sick with, but could something else be wrong? She eats quite a bit everyday, but I feel bad not letting her eat when she wants to. My friend, whose good with animals, came over and checked her. She has a baby tooth that wont fall out. All of the others have except for this one, and it's not even loose, so she said that she might be in pain and that's why she's acting out. She also felt her stomach and said that she was really bloated, and she is. She looks like a blimp right now. She's a tubby cat, but never round like that.
I don't know what to do and I don't want to get rid of her. I can't get her to a vet until May 21st, because that's when they do free shots and free spaying/neutering (I'm currently unemployed, can barely afford gas for my car). She isn't just randomly attacking people either. It's like she's getting used to where she is all over again. Really tense and jumpy, having to smell someone's hand before letting them touch her. My friend said to try putting a tiny bit of vegetable oil into her food and water to help her go to the bathroom, and if that doesn't help, give her 1/4 of a baby aspirin in her food for her tooth until I can get her to the vet. She's also been kind of lethargic today.
I'd really appreciate any advice on what to do until I can get her into a vet. I don't wanna lose her. :/