Angry cat, still spraying

**jazzcat** · 12-03-2008, 08:23 AM

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** · 12-03-2008, 11:59 AM

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** · 12-03-2008, 05:17 PM

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** · 12-03-2008, 05:50 PM

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** · 12-03-2008, 06:39 PM

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** · 12-03-2008, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

Every vet is different I guess. When I mentioned Clomicalm and she said its for dogs, I wanted to say, And you just gave me a prescription for a people drug for a cat LOL....I got his pills at Rite Aid so obviously they arent strictly for, dogs cats whatever.

Anyway. Im going to keep an eye on him. I want the spraying to stop but I wont let him live comatose either. We'll play with the dosage if we have to and if it doesnt work or it konks him out, we'll try another drug or another vet.

At least if I take him to another vet, the cat already has a history of being prescribed for behavorial problems and we can just try another drug. Besides this vet there are 2 close by that my neighbor told me are very very good.

**Medusa** · 12-03-2008, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by JustineNYC

Every vet is different I guess. When I mentioned Clomicalm and she said its for dogs, I wanted to say, And you just gave me a prescription for a people drug for a cat LOL....I got his pills at Rite Aid so obviously they arent strictly for, dogs cats whatever.

You're exactly right. Ametryptilene has not been approved for use in cats but vets prescribe it and it's used successfully quite a lot. So is Buspar.