Ally again :( *UPDATED*

[Randi]

I'm sorry to hear you may have to let Ally go, but of course you can't risk Cali gets bitten. As you mentioned, the reason may be that she just doen't get along with Connor, but I really hope it won't be neccesary to take Connor to S.A. Conner seems to be such a sweet cat.

Sorry I can't help with advice, just want to say I'll be sending positive vibes that you find a solution soon.

((((hugs))))

[jazzcat]

Can the Amitriptyline or similar medication be purchased over the counter or would it have to come from a vet - need a prescription?

[Lobodeb]

Julie, I would be happy to ship it to you. I also have a PAYPAL account. Just let me know where to get it. I think I still have your NY address, too. Just say the word!

[Lizzie]

Amitriptyline and similar are prescription drugs and I'm sure a vet in Bah'rain would be able to prescribe. However, not many pharmacies can make it up into a gel, and possibly not where you live.

I just got off the phone with the pharmacist who makes the special meds for me and she told me good news and bad news. Amitriptyline, and other anti-aggresion/anti-anxiety medications can be made up into a massage gel. However, it's active life is only 30 days from the time it is made up. They do put little cold packs into the envelope when they send them to me, but I don't know how fast mail can get to you. Also, you would need to work with a vet in the U.S. because they didn't think they could work from a prescription from a vet in Bahrain.

The drugs can take up to 2 months to show effect and there is no guarantee that they will, or that they won't cause other problems. I used both Buspar (which worked quickly but too strongly) and Amitriptyline (which worked within weeks and did work well) on my Artful Dodger, who was super aggresive and made my other cats' lives a misery. I should have cut back on the Buspar dosage, as they told me later, but seeing Dodger look like a cabbage horrified me so much that I switched to another med. It can have a dopey effect at first but the cat adjusts and then it just helps with the aggression. I tried Clomicalm with Taranis, for spraying, and it worked but made her pee only once every 36 hours which isn't good for a cat who is prone to crystals. She is on a Prozac derivative now and after a month, I've seen only a very slight change in her behavior. Since your need is urgent, and you need to really clobber her with something, it seems that Buspar or Amitriptyline would be best - but that's up to a vet.

I sincerely hope I haven't got your hopes up only to dash them. Dealing with extreme personality problems is really distressing.

[Barbara]

I have not been on all day- just because I was afraid of this thread. I am so glad there may be some other options. I'm not much help here I know- but you know Ally was so lucky - that she found a home in a place like Bahrain where many kitties won't have the chance- and now to think that this home could be her end as well .
I keep my fingers crossed.

[jenluckenbach]

I tried amitritylin in cream form for Sterling at the begining when he was hard to pill (for spraying). In my case, the cream did not work as well as the pill. I also tried the amitriptylin in a treat form (suppose to just eat it on their own because it tastes good) and he would not touch them. BUT, Ally could be different. OR you may want to go the route of the stonger medication.

Is there ANY BODY, a friend or neighbor, who could keep Connor temporarily to "test" if Ally will revert to her old self. I would sure hate to see Connor go away and Ally still being aggressive.

[rosethecopycat]

Please tell me if it is out of line.

But as a last resort, if it is to save Ally's life, could you have Ally's front teeth removed surgically?

And a declaw, if neccessary.

I am generally very against declawing, but the alternative seems grim.

Forgive me for mentioning such desparate measures.

[jenluckenbach]

could you have Ally's front teeth removed surgically

I actually had a grooming customer who did this to their dog as the ONLY thing left to prevent having to PTS. I won't comment on whether it is right or wrong (we could argue about that all day), but it worked to save the dog's home.

[Cataholic]

Julie,
A couple of things to keep in mind. In my most recent experience with Jonah, and seven cats, NONE of them wanted anything to do with Jonah as he 'grew'. In fact, as he grew, he lost most contact with all of them. As he became more mobile, they RAN! Today, at 20 months, only two out of seven get within two feet of him.

Of mom's four cats, only one gets withint 2 feet of him. Maybe Ally would be the one to get close to Cali...I don't know, but, **most** cats and toddlers do not exist closely. Just something ot keep in mind re: time constraints.

How long did you do the feliway plug ins? And, did you have enough per square footage? I need more than they suggest, and it took more than 30 days to make a difference.

Finally, I would suggest another pet pyschic.

Good luck, and I know this must be very difficult.

[rosethecopycat]

I actually had a grooming customer who did this to their dog as the ONLY thing left to prevent having to PTS. I won't comment on whether it is right or wrong (we could argue about that all day), but it worked to save the dog's home.

Oh, I do mean ONLY as a LAST RESORT. it would truely be a shame, but if the alternative is PTS, then Ally's mom at least has an option.

My MIL suggests a playpen (cage) but that is an ongoing thing to tend to and Ally would most likely be unhappy, and the problem (and the worry) would still exist.

[Lizzie]

I don't think tooth removal is extreme since the circumstances are very extreme. Isn't it the incisors that make the deep puncture wounds? Three of my FIV+ cats have no teeth at all, and two others from the same shelter have only a few teeth. They are all fine, and they eat dry food - their choice. I don't find this repulsive as I do de-clawing, though this is one case where I would think it might be appropriate. I wish I could believe that Abby would do what most cats do, and avoid a noisy baby and toddler, but given the description of the way she attacks, I wouldn't be surprised if she went for him too. To my great surprise, I would rather see Abby lose her teeth and, if essential, her claws so that she doesn't lose her life and your don't lose your beloved cat.

[ChrisH]

Oh, Julie, {{big hugs}}. I don't have anything new to add except that you have my love & support always, and it goes without saying, also my prayers.

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

Thanks everyone.

I will have another chat with my local vet and see if there are any new developments in terms of the medications they can offer locally - a friend of mine took her cat to the vet last week, and was given an anti-biotic in a vitimin paste, so maybe they will have options other than pills available. She did give Ally Buspar previously - but with Ally being impossible to pill, the atmosphere in the house got even worse when I had to force a pill down her throat every day!

She did recommend hormone injections, but there I can't find any info about the longterm risks of this, so did not go ahead with it - maybe this is something I should reconsider.

Re removing her teeth - I have actually SERIOUSLY considered it in the past - after all in theory it would "only" be the canines - these are the teeth that cause the puncture wounds. I don't think declawing would be an option - as she is not a "scratcher" - although I suppose she may replace one bad habit (biting) with another (scratching). I DO try to keep both Ally and Connor's claws quite short, as when they fight they have in the past scratched each others eyes and needed vet treatment.

Re the feliway - the area is approx the size of two double-car garages - I had a total of 3 plug-ins running at the same time, and tried for 3 months.

Johanna - I appreciate your input re the cats interacting with Jonah, but it's not a chance I can take - it would only take one unguarded moment and Cali could be badly hurt - even scarred (physically and mentally). I simply can't risk it.

Jen -great idea re sending Connor on a "holiday" to test if Ally stops her nonsense - Connor is terrified of strangers, so the only people I can think of who *may* be suitable would be my next door neighbours (although I am terrified that one of their 4 year-old twins would leave a door open) . I'll have to think about it some more.

I am in touch with another pet communicator as well, but nothing new yet!

[jenluckenbach]

Sounds like a good plan of action. Hopefully the vet can shed some light on other options whether it be a medication in a cream, or the affects of hormones, or even tooth removal.

If you do send Connor to the neighbors, ask them to confine him to one interior room. He'd feel more secure and you could feel better about him NOT getting out an outside door.

[jenluckenbach]

Any news????