Clomicalm?

[mbr64]

Well, my cat has been on the clomicalm for 6 days now. There are a couple side effects I am a bit concerned about. She is pretty sedated - I assume that will go away once she gets used to the med? Also, she seems a bit constipated - will that go away? She weighs 10 pounds on we have her on 5 mg/day dose. We open the capsule and mix it with tuna juice. Once capsule mixed with 5 ml of tuna juice - she gets 1 ml per day which apparently equates to 5 mg/day. I wonder if I should lesson the dose a little, or just wait it out and see if the side effects go away?

thanks

[Medusa]

Five mg. may be too much for her. Shave a little off, perhaps in half, and see how she does w/that. I've got all mine on 5 mg. at night. They aren't sedated but just calmer; it does help them sleep. Are you administering it at night? That may also be part of the problem. I do have one that takes 5 mg. morning and night b/c he's a particularly tricky character but he isn't sedated in the least. Each cat is different, just like humans, so you may have to play w/the dosage for a while before you get it right. Don't give up. And keep the faythe.

I just thought of something else. The Clomicalm that I get is in tablet form. When they swallow it, it probably takes longer to get into their system. Yours is a powder that goes down w/food and it may react more quickly. I don't know that for sure, not being a pharmacist or a vet, but it might be the case. Are you able to get the tablets instead of the capsules?

[mbr64]

Just capsules for now, however, maybe in future I can get tablets.

We noticed she has some trouble passing urine in the box, as she keeps 'trying' but nothing comes out for awhile. Also, number 2 has not happened as much as normal. I think I will cut dose down a bit. She is on it for 'separation anxiety', and we are leaving for 5 days beginning Friday. She just needs something to cut the edge off a little while we are gone. I think a lower dose may do the trick!

thanks!

[Medusa]

Just capsules for now, however, maybe in future I can get tablets.

We noticed she has some trouble passing urine in the box, as she keeps 'trying' but nothing comes out for awhile. Also, number 2 has not happened as much as normal. I think I will cut dose down a bit. She is on it for 'separation anxiety', and we are leaving for 5 days beginning Friday. She just needs something to cut the edge off a little while we are gone. I think a lower dose may do the trick!

thanks!

If she's having trouble passing urine, then stop the Clomicalm and call your vet ASAP. She may be having a reaction to it or it may have nothing to do w/it at all but it sounds as though she's developing a bladder infection. That's very painful and she'll continue to strain until she passes blood if she does have a bladder infection. Don't put off calling your vet. Time is of the essence.

[mbr64]

If she's having trouble passing urine, then stop the Clomicalm and call your vet ASAP. She may be having a reaction to it or it may have nothing to do w/it at all but it sounds as though she's developing a bladder infection. That's very painful and she'll continue to strain until she passes blood if she does have a bladder infection. Don't put off calling your vet. Time is of the essence.

Hi - spoke to VET. She does pee and poo, just retains it much longer. We cut med in half and will see if that works better. The vet suggested switching to a low dose of zoloft, they have had good success with that and no side effects at all. In the past we tried prozac and elavil with no help. Do you have experience with zoloft?

BTW - we have become 'experts' on bladder infections with this cat, so no worries there. The only food she can eat is dissolution gravy otherwise she develops stones and gets infection etc. Unfortunately Royal Canin has stopped that food, now we must switch to Urinary SO gravy - that better work!

thanks,
mike

[Medusa]

Nope, haven't tried Zoloft. They were on Buspar and Elavil to no avail. I'm glad you're keeping an eye on the bladder thing. Good luck w/the Zoloft and keep us posted. If you're going to medicate her only for a few days, Ametryptilene is probably the way to go. You can't miss a dose w/Clomicalm or it stops working so unless your cat sitter can dose her, it might be best to leave it alone. Good luck w/whatever you decide.

[mbr64]

The sitter will dose her (she works at the vet clinic). Are your cats all males that are on the clomicalm?