Checkup Time

[Queen of Poop]

Cali and Diego are scheduled to see the vet a 1 pm today, in about 40 minutes. Last night Diego attacked Cali, yes, even on Prozac, lately he's been a little hellion again. So Cali will get her checkup, shots and her wounds addressed and Diego may need either a higher dose of prozac or something else.

[Karen]

Oh, Diego, now you've done it! Now you BOTH have to see the white coats. Will you never learn? My sympathies for Cali ... Good luck at the vets, everybody!

[phesina]

Oh dear!

Hope it all went well, kitties. Now, behave, Diego!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm sorry to hear this. His system may have gotten used to his current doseage so it doesn't work the same as it used to. I hope that the vet visit goes well. Please keep us updated about them.

[Queen of Poop]

The vet visit did NOT got well. The minute I brought them thru the door Diego started growling. I gloved up with my leather gloves and kept my ski jacket on to hold him for this exam. He was simply AWFUL. He is going to get a higher dose of the prozac and see if that does the trick. If not, the vet suggested that there are lots of NICE kitties out there that need a good home.

Cali is ok, need to watch her for infection. She's such a sweetheart. How can brother and sister be so different.

So now my dilemma is, what do I do about Deigo if the meds don't work? How can I allow the abuse of Cali to continue. I was abused in my marriage, the fact that I am allowing my boy cat to abuse my girl cat has me tied in knots. I don't want to give up on him. I love him. But I used to say that about my husband too. Oh, this is just making me sick.

[Karen]

What else have you tried to calm Diego down? I know some Pet Talkers have had success with some floral essences ...

I hope the Prozac does the trick. Is you place big enough to be able to keep them separate during the day while you are at work? How does he react to a spray bottle?

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear that the vet visit didn't go well. If the new doseage of prozac doesn't work then you may need to try yet another drug or keep them separated permanently. My cats will sometimes fight too but there's never been any blood shed or wounds. Have you ever tried to contact an animal behaviorist? Maybe some one like this could help you. I hope that something will work soon. Good luck.

[Catty1]

Mary (Medusa) gives Clomicalm glowing reviews. It has usually been used in dogs, but is successful with cats.

Nancy Efrusy is a pet psychic who has done some wonderful work for PTrs. She isn't in it for the money. Her email addy is efrusy at yahoo.com

I guess Diego doesn't have chronic pain? But he has been like this ever since the fire, right?

Many prayers being sent!

ETA: It struck me that adding another male cat might be an idea...I'm not kidding. Another male would be able to give as good as he gets, and draw some lines. Hard to explain the hunch...but I knew that having a female cat added to my home would work out fine.

[Queen of Poop]

Thanks for all the support and ideas.

We've tried feliway and all the herbal remedies I could get my paws on, to no success.

To calm him I spray a breakaway collar with feliway and put it on him. I'm not sure if it's the collar or the spray but this generally helps for a bit. But it failed us on Friday night too.

I gave him his usual prozac plus half yesterday after the vet and he seems much calmer this morning.

Candace, he's a perfectly healthy kitty, save for his anxiety/aggression.

I have to wonder if he needs to be the "only" kitty now, after the fire. Which is sad because he and Cali used to love each other so much.

[Catty1]

Consider trying Nancy Efrusy. She did a miracle for Boo - just ask Laura's Babies. And it was a behaviour thing too!

Prayers going out!

[pomtzu]

That's heartbreaking to think that he could possibly have to be rehomed. Poor boy! Prayers going out to all three of you, that you can find a workable solution.

[Karen]

Thought of this earlier, have you tried setting up a strict routine, as far as eating, playtime, treats, etc?

The srticle below tell about a recent study that shows some cats thrive - even sickly ones - witha routine, and while some may react to stress with sickly behaviors, others may react with aggression, so it might be something to consider.

http://esciencenews.com/articles/201...tine.disrupted

[TommyCat]

Hi,
Catty 1 had a good suggestion. I was thinking along the same lines - what about an animal behaviorist. The Prozac may be helping to calm him, but it may just be a behavior problem. It's worth a session before a definal decision is made. I'm glad your girl kitty is okay physically.