Angry cat, still spraying

[JustineNYC]

Yep, that's marking their territory alright. Your best bet will probably be to try either the Clomicalm or kitty Prozac. If Clomicalm ever stops working for my cats, I'll put them on Prozac. I will not have my house destroyed, so I know how you feel. I love my cats as though they're my children but I wouldn't tolerate any children ruining my house either. I have unlimited patience w/my cats until it comes to that subject and then I could lose my mind, so I know where you're coming from. The situation can be handled w/success, though, so good luck.

So what are these drugs, are they liquid, pills? Do they have to stay on them forever?

[Medusa]

So what are these drugs, are they liquid, pills? Do they have to stay on them forever?

I get the Clomicalm in 20 mg. pills that I quarter; each cat gets 5 mg. before bed. I've heard that there is a generic liquid form that is less expensive but I've not tried it. My cats are easy to pill and I don't want to mess w/syringes, etc. w/4 cats on it. As for how long they're on it, your guess is as good as mine. I've tried testing them and I can honestly say that it's important that they get their regular dosage daily. Perhaps as they grow older and less feisty, they'll grow out of it but right now, I'm not taking any chances. LOL The kitty Prozac comes in a transdermal patch and I know that a few here on PT have seen good success w/it, so perhaps they'll comment on that.

[jazzcat]

My vet started Rocky on liquid Prozac. It's the same stuff as given to people but in a tiny dose. Unfortunately the liquid has a mint flavor so giving it to Rocky was almost impossible. He would gag and spit it out and it would end up in his fur and make horrible mats. After struggling with this for 2-3 weeks I noticed it seemed to not be working as well so the vet upped his dosage to 2.5 mg which meant we could switch him to the 10 mg tablet cut in 1/4ths. That has been great, he takes it in a soft treat and even asks for it plus the tablet is generic so I can get it at my pharmacy for $4 a month. It's about time to increase his dose and my vet told me to cut the pill in thirds. I don't know if I can do it since the tablet is small but I'll try. No way am I going back to the liquid. My vet is a stickler for increasing the dosage very slowly.

I don't believe Rocky has peed inappropriately once since starting the Prozac (again, knock on wood) and the added benefits of having him laid back, less stressed and not attacking my other cats has been wonderful!

[JustineNYC]

I have an appointment for today at 4. I appreciate everyones help with this. Id never put him to sleep over something like this, but I cant let him ruin my home and I dont want him to live in a bathroom for the rest of his life either.

The lady that made my appointment asked why I needed to come in and when I told her she said "Some cats just do that"

I really hope they medicate him. Soon IM going to need some prozac!

[JustineNYC]

Im home (finally)

I explained everything to the doctor, she looked at his medical records and said its definitely behavioral. She said the drug that they use with the most success is Amitriptyline (Elavil). He'll be on a 4th of a pill for 2 weeks, if he is still spraying but acting himself, we bump him up to a 1/4 twice a day. She said itll take a few weeks to work, but if I see he isnt himself, hes sleeping alot, then his dosage has to be lowered.

Its a process to get a therapeutic level where hes himself, not stoned, and not spraying.

She mentioned one other drug, but wants to try this first.

I mentioned the Clomicalm, she said they prescribe that for dogs and its usually used to treat separation anxiety. I can tell she isnt going to give me that, if this fails, we'll go to another vet.

I did a search on the drug and people have said positive things on it.

::fingers crossed:::

[Taz_Zoee]

I really hope this works for you. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to have to deal with spraying. I hope I will not soon find out about it too.

Good luck!!

[Medusa]

Well, it's a step in the right direction anyhow. I had my cats on Amitryptilene and it worked for a while but it had an effect on them that I didn't like; they were too drugged. Clomicalm is usually used for dogs but it's been used successfully w/cats, as I mentioned. I have a friend whose cat started spraying and she started him on it and is very pleased w/the results. But, as I said, at least your vet is willing to try something. So good luck and, hopefully, this will work for you.

[JustineNYC]

I dont want to jinx anything but....no spraying. Coincidental?

[Medusa]

I dont want to jinx anything but....no spraying. Coincidental?

You scared him straight! LOL

[JustineNYC]

You scared him straight! LOL

Maybe he thinks hes going back to the vet LOL

I wanted to ask you, you said your guys acted drugged on this medication. Was it right away?

He seems himself on the pill but I know that doesnt mean next week he wont be groggy.

[Medusa]

Maybe he thinks hes going back to the vet LOL

I wanted to ask you, you said your guys acted drugged on this medication. Was it right away?

He seems himself on the pill but I know that doesnt mean next week he wont be groggy.

On the Ametryptilene, yes. It was as though I had stuffed animals. In the beginning, I was so thankful that they weren't spraying that I welcomed the peace. But I soon felt guilty about it and it didn't last long anyhow. They went right back to spraying. So then we went to Buspar. Nada. Then Valium. Still nothing. Clomicalm was the only one that worked and that didn't drug them. If your cat isn't spraying and doesn't appear to be drugged, then maybe your vet got the dosage right from the getgo. Cats are different just as people are so what drugs mine may not have the same effect on yours. Hopefully, you hit the jackpot.

[krazyaboutkatz]

This is great news. I hope that this means that it's working for him.

So far both Storm and Starr don't act drugged either but they both seem much calmer especially Storm. This is exactly what I wanted to happen.

[JustineNYC]

Still havent found any new spots. Ive been painting so they will show up a little more.

I did go upstairs and find him sleeping on my bed yesterday which was a little weird. I guess he wanted to be alone. I checked the room, no spray marks and when I came downstairs he followed me so I cant even say hes been sleeping more then usual or acting drugged.