Filed under: Clomipramine (Anafran)
Question:
>I’d like to hear from anyone taking 5HTP for severe long-term >depression. Why did you try it? What research did you find that made >you take the plunge? Are you taking any other meds (prescription or >other)? Did it do anything for your sleeping problems? What about for >overweight? Did you have any side effects? >How long did it take to be effective – if it was. >I am taking desipramine, dexedrine and ambien, and I am supposed to >switch to Wellbutrin in a few weeks because of bad side effects. I’m >thinking of trying 5HTP before starting on anything else, and want >some info. >Thank you for anything, positive or negative, you can give me to go >on.
5-HTP is a precursor to serotonin. In theory taking large amounts will increase your brain’s serotonin levels. However, there are a few problems with this. For a start the amount of serotonin is less than 2% of the total amount in your body. The other 98%+ is synthesised in the gut, blood, blood vessels and the skin. Most all the 5-HTP you eat will be used in these areas and excreted. Little if any will actually get into the brain. Secondly, the concept that antidepressants work because they increase the amount of serotonin in the brain is wrong. They do increase serotonin expression in the first few weeks you take them, but then the brains bio-feedback mechanism brings levels back to baseline, possibly even slightly below. I’m appending a list of studies verifying this below my sig. However, 5-HTP’s biggest drawback is that it may kill you or damage your health. Like L-Tryptophan, another serotonin precursor, most 5-HTP is contaminated with the Peak-X chemicals that killed over 30 people in the later eighties and permanently damaged the health of thousand. You can read about that at the website maintained by the survivors: http://www.nemsn.org/ The US government maintains a register of adverse reactions to OTC products reported by doctors at http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/aems.html Type 5-HTP into the search engine at the page bottom and you’ll get a list of the latest victims. Ian Stenfors C, Yu H, Ross SB. (2001) "Pharmacological characterisation of the decrease in 5-HT synthesis in the mouse brain evoked by the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor citalopram." Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol, vol 363(2):p 222-32 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… Cremers TI, Spoelstra EN, de Boer P, et al. (2000) "Desensitisation of 5-HT autoreceptors upon pharmacokinetically monitored chronic treatment with citalopram." Eur J Pharmacol, vol 397(2-3):p 351-7 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… Alvarez JC, Sanceaume M, Advenier C, et al. (1999)"Differential changes in brain and platelet 5-HT concentrations after steady-state achievement and repeated administration of antidepressant drugs in mice." Eur Neuropsychopharmacol, vol 10(1):p 31-6 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… Gur E, Dremencov E, Lerer B, Newman ME. (1999) "Venlafaxine: acute and chronic effects on 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in rat brain in vivo." Eur J Pharmacol, vol 372(1):p 17-24 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… Zangen A, Overstreet DH, Yadid G. (1997) "High serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels in limbic brain regions in a rat model of depression: normalization by chronic antidepressant treatment." J Neurochem, vol 69(6):p 2477-83 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… Fekkes D, Timmerman L, Pepplinkhuizen L. (1997) "Effects of clomipramine on plasma amino acids and serotonergic parameters in panic disorder and depression." Eur Neuropsychopharmacol, vol 7(3):p 235-9 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… Trouvin JH, Gardier AM, Chanut E, et al. (1993) "Time course of brain serotonin metabolism after cessation of long-term fluoxetine treatment in the rat." Life Sci, vol 52(18):p PL187-92 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… Leonard BE. (1988) "Pharmacological effects of serotonin reuptake inhibitors." J Clin Psychiatry, vol 49 Suppl:p 12-7 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… The best indication that increasing serotonin levels isn’t the factor responsible for the therapeutic effect of antidepressants is the French drug Tianeptine, a Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Enhancer/Accelerator. That is, it speeds up the removal of Serotonin from the synapses. Yet, it is as effective as Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors such as Prozac, which delay serotonin removal. Loo H, Saiz-Ruiz J, Costa e Silva JACE, et al. (1999) "Efficacy and safety of tianeptine in the treatment of depressive disorders in comparison with fluoxetine. " J Affect Disord 1999, vol 56(2-3):p 109-18 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… When Tianeptine is taken together with a SSRI they cancel each other out and become ineffective. Nowakowska E, Kus K, Chodera A, Rybakowski J. (2000) "Behavioural effects of fluoxetine and tianeptine, two antidepressants with opposite action mechanisms, in rats." Arzneimittelforschung, vol 50(1):p 5-10 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&…
Response:
I am posting this request from alt.support.anxiety-panic (ASAP). While we have been visited by a host of crossposting trolls who do that just for fun we are now also receiving some serious, *normal* messages which are crossposted, either evolving out of what used to be a troll thread or starting a new thread. We feel (and I am confident most of you will agree) that it would be best if these messages were only posted to the relevant newsgroups. I am crossposting this request because I don’t know where many of these messages originated and consequently this seemed the best way to reach as many of you as possible. I apologize for *intruding* like this and I wish each and every one of you (including myself 
) much strength and good luck in your recovery. Thank you! Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I’d like to hear from anyone taking 5HTP for severe long-term >depression. Why did you try it? What research did you find that made >you take the plunge? Are you taking any other meds (prescription or >other)? Did it do anything for your sleeping problems? What about for >overweight? Did you have any side effects? >How long did it take to be effective – if it was. >I am taking desipramine, dexedrine and ambien, and I am supposed to >switch to Wellbutrin in a few weeks because of bad side effects. I’m >thinking of trying 5HTP before starting on anything else, and want >some info. >Thank you for anything, positive or negative, you can give me to go >on.
Response:
>I’d like to hear from anyone taking 5HTP for severe long-term >depression. Why did you try it? What research did you find that made >you take the plunge? Are you taking any other meds (prescription or >other)? Did it do anything for your sleeping problems? What about for >overweight? Did you have any side effects? >How long did it take to be effective – if it was. >I am taking desipramine, dexedrine and ambien, and I am supposed to >switch to Wellbutrin in a few weeks because of bad side effects. I’m >thinking of trying 5HTP before starting on anything else, and want >some info. >Thank you for anything, positive or negative, you can give me to go >on.
I tried it. It wound up giving me a headache (which didn’t go away), so I quit taking it. I would check with the doctor and see if he/she recommends taking herbal products with your prescriptions. "Natural" doesn’t necessarily mean safe. Norma — What you know you can’t explain, but you feel it. You’ve felt it your entire life, that there’s something wrong with the world. You don’t know what it is, but it’s there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad. Morpheus, The Matrix
Response:
I’d like to hear from anyone taking 5HTP for severe long-term depression. Why did you try it? What research did you find that made you take the plunge? Are you taking any other meds (prescription or other)? Did it do anything for your sleeping problems? What about for overweight? Did you have any side effects? How long did it take to be effective – if it was. I am taking desipramine, dexedrine and ambien, and I am supposed to switch to Wellbutrin in a few weeks because of bad side effects. I’m thinking of trying 5HTP before starting on anything else, and want some info. Thank you for anything, positive or negative, you can give me to go on.
Response:
>I’d like to hear from anyone taking 5HTP for severe long-term >depression. Why did you try it? What research did you find that made >you take the plunge? Are you taking any other meds (prescription or >other)? Did it do anything for your sleeping problems? What about for >overweight? Did you have any side effects? >How long did it take to be effective – if it was. >I am taking desipramine, dexedrine and ambien, and I am supposed to >switch to Wellbutrin in a few weeks because of bad side effects. I’m >thinking of trying 5HTP before starting on anything else, and want >some info. >Thank you for anything, positive or negative, you can give me to go >on.
I tried it. It wound up giving me a headache (which didn’t go away), so I quit taking it. I would check with the doctor and see if he/she recommends taking herbal products with your prescriptions. "Natural" doesn’t necessarily mean safe. Norma — What you know you can’t explain, but you feel it. You’ve felt it your entire life, that there’s something wrong with the world. You don’t know what it is, but it’s there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad. Morpheus, The Matrix
Response:
I am posting this request from alt.support.anxiety-panic (ASAP). While we have been visited by a host of crossposting trolls who do that just for fun we are now also receiving some serious, *normal* messages which are crossposted, either evolving out of what used to be a troll thread or starting a new thread. We feel (and I am confident most of you will agree) that it would be best if these messages were only posted to the relevant newsgroups. I am crossposting this request because I don’t know where many of these messages originated and consequently this seemed the best way to reach as many of you as possible. I apologize for *intruding* like this and I wish each and every one of you (including myself ) much strength and good luck in your recovery. Thank you! Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I’d like to hear from anyone taking 5HTP for severe long-term >depression. Why did you try it? What research did you find that made >you take the plunge? Are you taking any other meds (prescription or >other)? Did it do anything for your sleeping problems? What about for >overweight? Did you have any side effects? >How long did it take to be effective – if it was. >I am taking desipramine, dexedrine and ambien, and I am supposed to >switch to Wellbutrin in a few weeks because of bad side effects. I’m >thinking of trying 5HTP before starting on anything else, and want >some info. >Thank you for anything, positive or negative, you can give me to go >on.
Response:
I’d like to hear from anyone taking 5HTP for severe long-term depression. Why did you try it? What research did you find that made you take the plunge? Are you taking any other meds (prescription or other)? Did it do anything for your sleeping problems? What about for overweight? Did you have any side effects? How long did it take to be effective – if it was. I am taking desipramine, dexedrine and ambien, and I am supposed to switch to Wellbutrin in a few weeks because of bad side effects. I’m thinking of trying 5HTP before starting on anything else, and want some info. Thank you for anything, positive or negative, you can give me to go on.
Response:
May 17, 2002
Question:
What’s this latest scare about? Too small a study to worry about? Anybody rethinking their med?
Response:
>What’s this latest scare about? Too small a study to worry about? >Anybody rethinking their med?
Nick, This isn’t meant to imply that some study (I’m not aware of a study, I’m just giving you a "what if" answer) showing a link to cancer from taking Paxil is baloney, but it does help to keep things in perspective too. In the U.S. and probably most other countries, testing is exhaustive before a drug gets a green light to be marketed. However, you can still have freak instances where someone might have a predisposition to getting cancer when a certain food certain food or drug is repeatedly ingested and sets the wheels in motion. Unless the link is pretty transparent though, such as with cigarettes, I remind myself of what hot dog producers said after a definite link was proven for nitrites causing cancer in test mice. (Hot dogs and other cured meats use nitrites in the manufacturing process as a preservative so it’s a pretty essential ingredient.) A paraphrase of what was said is that the quantity of nitrites administered to the mice was equivalent to a human eating 10,000 hot dogs a day. What people in the U.S. sometimes forget is that the Delaney Act requires carcinogenic testing with no limit as to the amount of chemical(s) administered in test animals. Therefore by administering massive doses of nitrites to the mice, the link between nitrites and cancer and therefore hotdogs was found to have validity. Doug
Response:
Anyone heard of doctor anne blake tracey? not sure if i’m spelling that right but her opinion is she’s totally against SSRI type drugs she was on the artbell show(YES the nutso show) and I also heard on another radio program.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> What’s this latest scare about? Too small a study to worry about? > Anybody rethinking their med?
Response:
I heard her on the Art Bell Show (by the way it is not a nutso show) she did not convince me, she seemed as though she really did not know what she was talking about, she hemmed and hawed through every question asked of her and basically was just on there to promote her book. She did ramble off a few interesting facts now and again but the overall feeling I got from her is that she did not possess the knowledge to support her claims. Please let me know your thoughts on her presentation on the Art Bell Show.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Anyone heard of doctor anne blake tracey? not sure if i’m spelling that > right but her opinion is she’s totally against SSRI type drugs she was on > the artbell show(YES the nutso show) and I also heard on another radio > program. > What’s this latest scare about? Too small a study to worry about? > Anybody rethinking their med?
Response:
>I heard her on the Art Bell Show (by the way it is not a nutso show) she did >not convince me, she seemed as though she really did not know what she was >talking about, she hemmed and hawed through every question asked of her and >basically was just on there to promote her book. She did ramble off a few >interesting facts now and again but the overall feeling I got from her is >that she did not possess the knowledge to support her claims. Please let me >know your thoughts on her presentation on the Art Bell Show.
Despite the title, she isn’t a medical doctor, but has a PhD is something. Not sure what, but suspect origami. Whatever its for, it apparently allows her to practice as a psychologist though, AFAIK, she doesn’t have a psychology degree. Her basic premise is that SSRIs cause over secretion of serotonin in much the same way as methamphetamines. She is wrong, as any psycho pharmacologist will tell her. Indeed, many people have, but she continues to parrot the same wild claims. Draw your own conclusions! Bottom line – she just another doom sayer who doesn’t let the facts get in the way of selling books. Just don’t ask them for solutions to your problem. They, IME, rarely have any answers. Just gloom and doom. I’ve appended just a few of the studies showing that SSRIs (and other antidepressants) don’t increase serotonin (5-HT) expression, but actually reduce its synthesis/expression. Ian Stenfors C, Yu H, Ross SB. (2001) "Pharmacological characterisation of the decrease in 5-HT synthesis in the mouse brain evoked by the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor citalopram." Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol, vol 363(2):p 222-32 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… Cremers TI, Spoelstra EN, de Boer P, et al. (2000) "Desensitisation of 5-HT autoreceptors upon pharmacokinetically monitored chronic treatment with citalopram." Eur J Pharmacol, vol 397(2-3):p 351-7 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… Alvarez JC, Sanceaume M, Advenier C, et al. (1999) "Differential changes in brain and platelet 5-HT concentrations after steady-state achievement and repeated administration of antidepressant drugs in mice." Eur Neuropsychopharmacol, vol 10(1):p 31-6 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… Gur E, Dremencov E, Lerer B, Newman ME. (1999) "Venlafaxine: acute and chronic effects on 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in rat brain in vivo." Eur J Pharmacol, vol 372(1):p 17-24 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… Zangen A, Overstreet DH, Yadid G. (1997) "High serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels in limbic brain regions in a rat model of depression: normalization by chronic antidepressant treatment." J Neurochem, vol 69(6):p 2477-83 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… Fekkes D, Timmerman L, Pepplinkhuizen L. (1997) "Effects of clomipramine on plasma amino acids and serotonergic parameters in panic disorder and depression." Eur Neuropsychopharmacol, vol 7(3):p 235-9 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… Trouvin JH, Gardier AM, Chanut E, et al. (1993) "Time course of brain serotonin metabolism after cessation of long-term fluoxetine treatment in the rat." Life Sci, vol 52(18):p PL187-92 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… Leonard BE. (1988) "Pharmacological effects of serotonin reuptake inhibitors." J Clin Psychiatry, vol 49 Suppl:p 12-7 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Anyone heard of doctor anne blake tracey? not sure if i’m spelling that > right but her opinion is she’s totally against SSRI type drugs she was on > the artbell show(YES the nutso show) and I also heard on another radio > program.
Response:
Might as well stop eating bread, french fries, and potato chips too!
Response:
> Might as well stop eating bread, french fries, and potato chips too!
lol 
Response:
April 15, 2002
Question:
> Have you used dothiepin before. 225 mcg is more than what is allowed. > I want to know how I can stop taking these drugs. Would I have > withdrawal symtoms? What are the side effects of dothiepin. I feel > like zombie.
I’ve taken dothiepin up to 225mg (not mcg!) which is the approved maximum, but the recommendation is that anything above 150mg should be taken under supervision, preferably as an inpatient (fortunately my GP trusted me to not exceed that dose and report any problems straight away) The side-effects tended to change over time; to start with, and at every subsequent dose increase, it tended to cause a lot of drowsiness, which was replaced after a couple of weeks by insomnia, anxiety and agitation (although that isn’t a particularly common effect AIUI) Other side-effects were the usual ones expected from TCAs, namely slight problems with dry mouth (very nasty overnight), slight constipation, and marginally slowed thinking. Nothing much else to report, though… I stopped overnight from 225mg and didn’t notice any withdrawal problems. That’s just me, though, I also didn’t have any problems stopping paroxetine suddenly from 50mg which a lot of people do find problematic. Chris.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am on 3 x75 mcg dothiepin and 1 x10 mcg zolpidem for depression. My > depression has resulted in not being able to sleep nearly 3 months. > The above medication is supposed to help me. I seem to be getting > worse. Has anybody used the above meidcaion. Will it work eventually? > I have been on this medicaiton now more than one month. Please help. > Hopefully it should work after a couple of weeks. Most people find > dothiepin to be quite sedating, but is can have a more activating > effect in a few. I’d give it about six weeks, to be honest, and > if there’s still no luck I’d move onto something else. I found > both clomipramine and mirtazapine extremely sedating, considerably > moreso than dothiepin whose effect tended to wear off a couple of > weeks after each dose increase. > Chris.
Have you used dothiepin before. 225 mcg is more than what is allowed. I want to know how I can stop taking these drugs. Would I have withdrawal symtoms? What are the side effects of dothiepin. I feel like zombie. Emrom
Response:
Zolpidem is "Ambien", a sleeping pill. It should help you sleep, at least for a few hours. Sorry I don’t know what "Dothiepin" is.
Response:
> I am on 3 75 mcg dothiepin and 1 10 mcg zolpidem for depression. My > depression has resulted in not being able to sleep nearly 3 months. > The above medication is supposed to help me. I seem to be getting > worse. Has anybody used the above meidcaion. Will it work eventually? > I have been on this medicaiton now more than one month. Please help.
Hopefully it should work after a couple of weeks. Most people find dothiepin to be quite sedating, but is can have a more activating effect in a few. I’d give it about six weeks, to be honest, and if there’s still no luck I’d move onto something else. I found both clomipramine and mirtazapine extremely sedating, considerably moreso than dothiepin whose effect tended to wear off a couple of weeks after each dose increase. Chris.
Response:
I am on 3 75 mcg dothiepin and 1 10 mcg zolpidem for depression. My depression has resulted in not being able to sleep nearly 3 months. The above medication is supposed to help me. I seem to be getting worse. Has anybody used the above meidcaion. Will it work eventually? I have been on this medicaiton now more than one month. Please help. Emrom
Response:
> I am on 3 75 mcg dothiepin and 1 10 mcg zolpidem for depression. My > depression has resulted in not being able to sleep nearly 3 months. > The above medication is supposed to help me. I seem to be getting > worse. Has anybody used the above meidcaion. Will it work eventually? > I have been on this medicaiton now more than one month. Please help.
I’ve taken dothiepin for chronic back pain. It wasn’t combined with any other depression medication, but I was taking propranalol as a migraine preventative, rizatriptan when I had a migraine attack, anti-inflammatories and analgesics at the same time. The dothiepin, quite simply, sedated me so much that I could hardly keep awake. It has a known sedative effect, as does amitryptilene, which affected me in the same way. Both took around a month to start affecting me in this way. I couldn’t take either of them because I wasn’t safe to drive and couldn’t operate at work properly. That’s when my doctor suggested I try fluoxetine (Prozac), which has been wonderful for me because it works on my pain but doesn’t sedate me. Certainly dothiepin should have some sort of sedative effect on you. Jamie
Response:
April 13, 2002
Question:
> Despite all the outcry against declawing cats, one benefit that has been > reported numerous times is that declawed cats settle much better into the > house routine, including using the litter box properly, and even developing > a better bond with their owners. If you cat has not been declawed yet, > please seriously consider it, because I know from my experience with many > cats that you will be able to stand her current behaviour for only so long > before you begin entertaining more drastic measures. > All the best, > Adam
Once again I hope we all (new posters esp.) notice this is TROLLING. Karen
Response:
Sorry for my ignorance, but I’m new in this NG and I don’t understand how I would recognize this post as "trolling". Pls enlighten. Dick
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Despite all the outcry against declawing cats, one benefit that has been > reported numerous times is that declawed cats settle much better into the > house routine, including using the litter box properly, and even developing > a better bond with their owners. If you cat has not been declawed yet, > please seriously consider it, because I know from my experience with many > cats that you will be able to stand her current behaviour for only so long > before you begin entertaining more drastic measures. > All the best, > Adam > Once again I hope we all (new posters esp.) notice this is TROLLING. > Karen
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Sorry for my ignorance, but I’m new in this NG and I don’t understand how I > would recognize this post as "trolling". Pls enlighten. > Dick >> Despite all the outcry against declawing cats, one benefit that has been >> reported numerous times is that declawed cats settle much better into > the >> house routine, including using the litter box properly, and even > developing >> a better bond with their owners. If you cat has not been declawed yet, >> please seriously consider it, because I know from my experience with > many >> cats that you will be able to stand her current behaviour for only so > long >> before you begin entertaining more drastic measures. >> All the best, >> Adam > Once again I hope we all (new posters esp.) notice this is TROLLING. > Karen
Because he is handing out terribly dangerous information in his trolling. Usually I ignore them, or try too, but this guy is dangerous. Karen
Response:
Celeste, yes they are scooped twice a day, and with scoopable litter. She doesn’t do this all the time either, just occasionally. Lisa – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Lisa, > You mentioned you have 7 litter boxes. My question is do you clean > them all twice a day & use scoopable litter. I find the scoopable the > best because it doesn’t hold odors. I have had 2 cats in my life that > absolutely refused to use the litter box until I cleaned it for them. > I currently have 3 cats who use 1 box and I clean it twice a day. If > I’m not home to do it I make arrangements for family to stop in and > take care of the box for me. If I don’t do this the one pees outside > the box. He insist it be cleaned and will wait for me to clean it so > he can go. I had another cat years ago that would deliberately let me > surprises right inside the front door as a reminder that I didn’t > clean his box. > Celeste
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> If you don’t have an animal behaviorist in your area, you could consult with > Dr. Nicholas Dodman, one of the best. He’s at Tuft’s in Boston but he > offers a consulting service called PETFAX. You can consult via telephone, > e-mail, fax, snail mail. I consulted with Dr. Dodman about my cat that > sprays and Dr. Dodman and his associates were very helpful. We have been > able to get the problem under control. Here’s some info about Dr. Dodman > with a link to info about PETFAX > http://www.tufts.edu/vet/faculty/facpages/dodman_n.html > Sue > > Lisa — we have had our share of behavior problems and I had a lot of > > success with using a cat behaviorist. You might give that a try — ask > your > > vet or their office if they can recommend anyone. If you’re near > > Albuquerque, I can recommend mine. Once the behaviorist explained the cat > > dynamics going on (it turned out I was reading one of the cats wrong and > > I’ve had cats all my life) I tried her suggestions and amazingly all got > > much better. > > Christine B. (meowmie to Omar, Midnight, Shetra & Oreo; pix at > > http://www.ejepo.com/burel) > > > A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong > places > > > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to > check > > > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and > all > > > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > > > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by > her > > > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > > > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > > > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > > > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the > vet > > > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have > any > > > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat > that > > > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know > that > > > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the > stress > > > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > > > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t > want > to > > > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
Despite all the outcry against declawing cats, one benefit that has been reported numerous times is that declawed cats settle much better into the house routine, including using the litter box properly, and even developing a better bond with their owners. If you cat has not been declawed yet, please seriously consider it, because I know from my experience with many cats that you will be able to stand her current behaviour for only so long before you begin entertaining more drastic measures. All the best, Adam
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong places > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to check > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have any > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want to > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
Lisa, You mentioned you have 7 litter boxes. My question is do you clean them all twice a day & use scoopable litter. I find the scoopable the best because it doesn’t hold odors. I have had 2 cats in my life that absolutely refused to use the litter box until I cleaned it for them. I currently have 3 cats who use 1 box and I clean it twice a day. If I’m not home to do it I make arrangements for family to stop in and take care of the box for me. If I don’t do this the one pees outside the box. He insist it be cleaned and will wait for me to clean it so he can go. I had another cat years ago that would deliberately let me surprises right inside the front door as a reminder that I didn’t clean his box. Celeste – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > If you don’t have an animal behaviorist in your area, you could consult with > Dr. Nicholas Dodman, one of the best. He’s at Tuft’s in Boston but he > offers a consulting service called PETFAX. You can consult via telephone, > e-mail, fax, snail mail. I consulted with Dr. Dodman about my cat that > sprays and Dr. Dodman and his associates were very helpful. We have been > able to get the problem under control. Here’s some info about Dr. Dodman > with a link to info about PETFAX > http://www.tufts.edu/vet/faculty/facpages/dodman_n.html > Sue > Lisa — we have had our share of behavior problems and I had a lot of > success with using a cat behaviorist. You might give that a try — ask > your > vet or their office if they can recommend anyone. If you’re near > Albuquerque, I can recommend mine. Once the behaviorist explained the cat > dynamics going on (it turned out I was reading one of the cats wrong and > I’ve had cats all my life) I tried her suggestions and amazingly all got > much better. > Christine B. (meowmie to Omar, Midnight, Shetra & Oreo; pix at > http://www.ejepo.com/burel) > > A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong > places > > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to > check > > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and > all > > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by > her > > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the > vet > > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have > any > > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat > that > > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know > that > > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the > stress > > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t > want > to > > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
I did not have good success with valium when I was trying to get my cat to stop spraying. You are right…valium should be for short periods of use only. There are other anti-anxiety meds used more often than valium. What worked with my cat was prozac. There is also clomipramine which is also very effective. Sue
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Lisa, > Assuming the urination is truly an anxiety issue, I have had excellent > success with valium (or its generic). It tends to be more effective > than some of the other anti-anxiety agents such as Buspar. Valium is > NOT an appropriate drug for long term use. It would be appropriate, > if at all, only for short term relief while other less-drugged-out > measures are put into place. Others have posted some suggestions > along that line: behaviorist, ensuring adequate litter boxes (I know > you said 7 for 6 cats), looking at how to reduce the ongoing stress. > If you decide to go this route, I can tell you that the first two days > of medication are unpleasant. The cat acts drunk, which isn’t funny. > Once the cat has become used to the medicine, the cat will act normal > or even a little mellow. The longest I ever used valium on a cat was > for one week or less. So I’m stressing again this is a short term > measure meant to buy everybody some time. > I have read veterinary research articles about the efficacy of valium > for anxiety related urination. Unfortunately, I don’t have the > articles any more, so I can’t cite them. I know my vet agrees valium > can be highly effective for short term relief, but it is never my > vet’s preferred choice of treatment. Why? One, the potential for the > human-owner to personally abuse the medicine. Because Buspar is not > addictive and does not create euphoria, it isn’t abused by the > human-owners the way valium might be. Two, the possibility the owner > will treat this as an easy, inexpensive fix and not work towards a > more appropriate solution. > Your vet may not even be willing to prescribe the drug. It’s worth > asking though if you are interested. I suspect what your vet will say > is increase the Buspar.
Response:
> I did not have good success with valium when I was trying to get my cat to > stop spraying. You are right…valium should be for short periods of use > only. There are other anti-anxiety meds used more often than valium. What > worked with my cat was prozac. There is also clomipramine which is also > very effective. > Sue
Sue, Thank you for adding suggestions. I’m always hesitant to make the valium suggestion, but because BuSpar offered some relief, I decided to go ahead and make it. Your post also points out what is ultimately obvious, no two cats are alike and no two cats will respond the same to a certain medicine. The few times I went the valium route, I had 100% success and meanwhile effectively resolved the underlying problem. Susan
Response:
We have 6 cats, and 7 boxes.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Lisa, > How many cats do you have? Do you have the same number of litter boxes that > you do cats? > Sharon
Response:
Lisa, Assuming the urination is truly an anxiety issue, I have had excellent success with valium (or its generic). It tends to be more effective than some of the other anti-anxiety agents such as Buspar. Valium is NOT an appropriate drug for long term use. It would be appropriate, if at all, only for short term relief while other less-drugged-out measures are put into place. Others have posted some suggestions along that line: behaviorist, ensuring adequate litter boxes (I know you said 7 for 6 cats), looking at how to reduce the ongoing stress. If you decide to go this route, I can tell you that the first two days of medication are unpleasant. The cat acts drunk, which isn’t funny. Once the cat has become used to the medicine, the cat will act normal or even a little mellow. The longest I ever used valium on a cat was for one week or less. So I’m stressing again this is a short term measure meant to buy everybody some time. I have read veterinary research articles about the efficacy of valium for anxiety related urination. Unfortunately, I don’t have the articles any more, so I can’t cite them. I know my vet agrees valium can be highly effective for short term relief, but it is never my vet’s preferred choice of treatment. Why? One, the potential for the human-owner to personally abuse the medicine. Because Buspar is not addictive and does not create euphoria, it isn’t abused by the human-owners the way valium might be. Two, the possibility the owner will treat this as an easy, inexpensive fix and not work towards a more appropriate solution. Your vet may not even be willing to prescribe the drug. It’s worth asking though if you are interested. I suspect what your vet will say is increase the Buspar.
Response:
Lisa, How many cats do you have? Do you have the same number of litter boxes that you do cats? Sharon
Response:
Lisa — we have had our share of behavior problems and I had a lot of success with using a cat behaviorist. You might give that a try — ask your vet or their office if they can recommend anyone. If you’re near Albuquerque, I can recommend mine. Once the behaviorist explained the cat dynamics going on (it turned out I was reading one of the cats wrong and I’ve had cats all my life) I tried her suggestions and amazingly all got much better. Christine B. (meowmie to Omar, Midnight, Shetra & Oreo; pix at http://www.ejepo.com/burel)
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong places > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to check > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have any > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want to > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong places (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to check for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have any other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want to have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
Lisa: If the Feliway doesn’t work, there are other medications the vet can try (aside from Buspar). I would try them. Also, I would probably seek a second opinion at that point. Bring all of your cat’s records with you. Gail – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong places > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to check > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have any > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want to > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
It’s possible that you may have to incease the Buspar or try another anti-anxiety medication. Sometimes a med may work for a while and then loose it’s effectiveness. Also, give the feliway a try. Good luck! Sue
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong places > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to check > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have any > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want to > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
If you don’t have an animal behaviorist in your area, you could consult with Dr. Nicholas Dodman, one of the best. He’s at Tuft’s in Boston but he offers a consulting service called PETFAX. You can consult via telephone, e-mail, fax, snail mail. I consulted with Dr. Dodman about my cat that sprays and Dr. Dodman and his associates were very helpful. We have been able to get the problem under control. Here’s some info about Dr. Dodman with a link to info about PETFAX http://www.tufts.edu/vet/faculty/facpages/dodman_n.html Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Lisa — we have had our share of behavior problems and I had a lot of > success with using a cat behaviorist. You might give that a try — ask your > vet or their office if they can recommend anyone. If you’re near > Albuquerque, I can recommend mine. Once the behaviorist explained the cat > dynamics going on (it turned out I was reading one of the cats wrong and > I’ve had cats all my life) I tried her suggestions and amazingly all got > much better. > Christine B. (meowmie to Omar, Midnight, Shetra & Oreo; pix at > http://www.ejepo.com/burel) > A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong > places > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to > check > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have > any > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want > to > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
> Despite all the outcry against declawing cats, one benefit that has been > reported numerous times is that declawed cats settle much better into the > house routine, including using the litter box properly, and even developing > a better bond with their owners. If you cat has not been declawed yet, > please seriously consider it, because I know from my experience with many > cats that you will be able to stand her current behaviour for only so long > before you begin entertaining more drastic measures. > All the best, > Adam
Once again I hope we all (new posters esp.) notice this is TROLLING. Karen
Response:
Sorry for my ignorance, but I’m new in this NG and I don’t understand how I would recognize this post as "trolling". Pls enlighten. Dick
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Despite all the outcry against declawing cats, one benefit that has been > reported numerous times is that declawed cats settle much better into the > house routine, including using the litter box properly, and even developing > a better bond with their owners. If you cat has not been declawed yet, > please seriously consider it, because I know from my experience with many > cats that you will be able to stand her current behaviour for only so long > before you begin entertaining more drastic measures. > All the best, > Adam > Once again I hope we all (new posters esp.) notice this is TROLLING. > Karen
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Sorry for my ignorance, but I’m new in this NG and I don’t understand how I > would recognize this post as "trolling". Pls enlighten. > Dick >> Despite all the outcry against declawing cats, one benefit that has been >> reported numerous times is that declawed cats settle much better into > the >> house routine, including using the litter box properly, and even > developing >> a better bond with their owners. If you cat has not been declawed yet, >> please seriously consider it, because I know from my experience with > many >> cats that you will be able to stand her current behaviour for only so > long >> before you begin entertaining more drastic measures. >> All the best, >> Adam > Once again I hope we all (new posters esp.) notice this is TROLLING. > Karen
Because he is handing out terribly dangerous information in his trolling. Usually I ignore them, or try too, but this guy is dangerous. Karen
Response:
Celeste, yes they are scooped twice a day, and with scoopable litter. She doesn’t do this all the time either, just occasionally. Lisa – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Lisa, > You mentioned you have 7 litter boxes. My question is do you clean > them all twice a day & use scoopable litter. I find the scoopable the > best because it doesn’t hold odors. I have had 2 cats in my life that > absolutely refused to use the litter box until I cleaned it for them. > I currently have 3 cats who use 1 box and I clean it twice a day. If > I’m not home to do it I make arrangements for family to stop in and > take care of the box for me. If I don’t do this the one pees outside > the box. He insist it be cleaned and will wait for me to clean it so > he can go. I had another cat years ago that would deliberately let me > surprises right inside the front door as a reminder that I didn’t > clean his box. > Celeste
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> If you don’t have an animal behaviorist in your area, you could consult with > Dr. Nicholas Dodman, one of the best. He’s at Tuft’s in Boston but he > offers a consulting service called PETFAX. You can consult via telephone, > e-mail, fax, snail mail. I consulted with Dr. Dodman about my cat that > sprays and Dr. Dodman and his associates were very helpful. We have been > able to get the problem under control. Here’s some info about Dr. Dodman > with a link to info about PETFAX > http://www.tufts.edu/vet/faculty/facpages/dodman_n.html > Sue > > Lisa — we have had our share of behavior problems and I had a lot of > > success with using a cat behaviorist. You might give that a try — ask > your > > vet or their office if they can recommend anyone. If you’re near > > Albuquerque, I can recommend mine. Once the behaviorist explained the cat > > dynamics going on (it turned out I was reading one of the cats wrong and > > I’ve had cats all my life) I tried her suggestions and amazingly all got > > much better. > > Christine B. (meowmie to Omar, Midnight, Shetra & Oreo; pix at > > http://www.ejepo.com/burel) > > > A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong > places > > > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to > check > > > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and > all > > > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > > > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by > her > > > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > > > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > > > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > > > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the > vet > > > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have > any > > > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat > that > > > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know > that > > > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the > stress > > > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > > > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t > want > to > > > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
Despite all the outcry against declawing cats, one benefit that has been reported numerous times is that declawed cats settle much better into the house routine, including using the litter box properly, and even developing a better bond with their owners. If you cat has not been declawed yet, please seriously consider it, because I know from my experience with many cats that you will be able to stand her current behaviour for only so long before you begin entertaining more drastic measures. All the best, Adam
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong places > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to check > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have any > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want to > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
Lisa, You mentioned you have 7 litter boxes. My question is do you clean them all twice a day & use scoopable litter. I find the scoopable the best because it doesn’t hold odors. I have had 2 cats in my life that absolutely refused to use the litter box until I cleaned it for them. I currently have 3 cats who use 1 box and I clean it twice a day. If I’m not home to do it I make arrangements for family to stop in and take care of the box for me. If I don’t do this the one pees outside the box. He insist it be cleaned and will wait for me to clean it so he can go. I had another cat years ago that would deliberately let me surprises right inside the front door as a reminder that I didn’t clean his box. Celeste – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > If you don’t have an animal behaviorist in your area, you could consult with > Dr. Nicholas Dodman, one of the best. He’s at Tuft’s in Boston but he > offers a consulting service called PETFAX. You can consult via telephone, > e-mail, fax, snail mail. I consulted with Dr. Dodman about my cat that > sprays and Dr. Dodman and his associates were very helpful. We have been > able to get the problem under control. Here’s some info about Dr. Dodman > with a link to info about PETFAX > http://www.tufts.edu/vet/faculty/facpages/dodman_n.html > Sue > Lisa — we have had our share of behavior problems and I had a lot of > success with using a cat behaviorist. You might give that a try — ask > your > vet or their office if they can recommend anyone. If you’re near > Albuquerque, I can recommend mine. Once the behaviorist explained the cat > dynamics going on (it turned out I was reading one of the cats wrong and > I’ve had cats all my life) I tried her suggestions and amazingly all got > much better. > Christine B. (meowmie to Omar, Midnight, Shetra & Oreo; pix at > http://www.ejepo.com/burel) > > A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong > places > > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to > check > > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and > all > > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by > her > > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the > vet > > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have > any > > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat > that > > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know > that > > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the > stress > > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t > want > to > > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
I did not have good success with valium when I was trying to get my cat to stop spraying. You are right…valium should be for short periods of use only. There are other anti-anxiety meds used more often than valium. What worked with my cat was prozac. There is also clomipramine which is also very effective. Sue
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Lisa, > Assuming the urination is truly an anxiety issue, I have had excellent > success with valium (or its generic). It tends to be more effective > than some of the other anti-anxiety agents such as Buspar. Valium is > NOT an appropriate drug for long term use. It would be appropriate, > if at all, only for short term relief while other less-drugged-out > measures are put into place. Others have posted some suggestions > along that line: behaviorist, ensuring adequate litter boxes (I know > you said 7 for 6 cats), looking at how to reduce the ongoing stress. > If you decide to go this route, I can tell you that the first two days > of medication are unpleasant. The cat acts drunk, which isn’t funny. > Once the cat has become used to the medicine, the cat will act normal > or even a little mellow. The longest I ever used valium on a cat was > for one week or less. So I’m stressing again this is a short term > measure meant to buy everybody some time. > I have read veterinary research articles about the efficacy of valium > for anxiety related urination. Unfortunately, I don’t have the > articles any more, so I can’t cite them. I know my vet agrees valium > can be highly effective for short term relief, but it is never my > vet’s preferred choice of treatment. Why? One, the potential for the > human-owner to personally abuse the medicine. Because Buspar is not > addictive and does not create euphoria, it isn’t abused by the > human-owners the way valium might be. Two, the possibility the owner > will treat this as an easy, inexpensive fix and not work towards a > more appropriate solution. > Your vet may not even be willing to prescribe the drug. It’s worth > asking though if you are interested. I suspect what your vet will say > is increase the Buspar.
Response:
> I did not have good success with valium when I was trying to get my cat to > stop spraying. You are right…valium should be for short periods of use > only. There are other anti-anxiety meds used more often than valium. What > worked with my cat was prozac. There is also clomipramine which is also > very effective. > Sue
Sue, Thank you for adding suggestions. I’m always hesitant to make the valium suggestion, but because BuSpar offered some relief, I decided to go ahead and make it. Your post also points out what is ultimately obvious, no two cats are alike and no two cats will respond the same to a certain medicine. The few times I went the valium route, I had 100% success and meanwhile effectively resolved the underlying problem. Susan
Response:
We have 6 cats, and 7 boxes.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Lisa, > How many cats do you have? Do you have the same number of litter boxes that > you do cats? > Sharon
Response:
Lisa, Assuming the urination is truly an anxiety issue, I have had excellent success with valium (or its generic). It tends to be more effective than some of the other anti-anxiety agents such as Buspar. Valium is NOT an appropriate drug for long term use. It would be appropriate, if at all, only for short term relief while other less-drugged-out measures are put into place. Others have posted some suggestions along that line: behaviorist, ensuring adequate litter boxes (I know you said 7 for 6 cats), looking at how to reduce the ongoing stress. If you decide to go this route, I can tell you that the first two days of medication are unpleasant. The cat acts drunk, which isn’t funny. Once the cat has become used to the medicine, the cat will act normal or even a little mellow. The longest I ever used valium on a cat was for one week or less. So I’m stressing again this is a short term measure meant to buy everybody some time. I have read veterinary research articles about the efficacy of valium for anxiety related urination. Unfortunately, I don’t have the articles any more, so I can’t cite them. I know my vet agrees valium can be highly effective for short term relief, but it is never my vet’s preferred choice of treatment. Why? One, the potential for the human-owner to personally abuse the medicine. Because Buspar is not addictive and does not create euphoria, it isn’t abused by the human-owners the way valium might be. Two, the possibility the owner will treat this as an easy, inexpensive fix and not work towards a more appropriate solution. Your vet may not even be willing to prescribe the drug. It’s worth asking though if you are interested. I suspect what your vet will say is increase the Buspar.
Response:
Lisa, How many cats do you have? Do you have the same number of litter boxes that you do cats? Sharon
Response:
Lisa — we have had our share of behavior problems and I had a lot of success with using a cat behaviorist. You might give that a try — ask your vet or their office if they can recommend anyone. If you’re near Albuquerque, I can recommend mine. Once the behaviorist explained the cat dynamics going on (it turned out I was reading one of the cats wrong and I’ve had cats all my life) I tried her suggestions and amazingly all got much better. Christine B. (meowmie to Omar, Midnight, Shetra & Oreo; pix at http://www.ejepo.com/burel)
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong places > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to check > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have any > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want to > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong places (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to check for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have any other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want to have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
Lisa: If the Feliway doesn’t work, there are other medications the vet can try (aside from Buspar). I would try them. Also, I would probably seek a second opinion at that point. Bring all of your cat’s records with you. Gail – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong places > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to check > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have any > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want to > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
It’s possible that you may have to incease the Buspar or try another anti-anxiety medication. Sometimes a med may work for a while and then loose it’s effectiveness. Also, give the feliway a try. Good luck! Sue
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong places > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to check > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have any > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want to > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
If you don’t have an animal behaviorist in your area, you could consult with Dr. Nicholas Dodman, one of the best. He’s at Tuft’s in Boston but he offers a consulting service called PETFAX. You can consult via telephone, e-mail, fax, snail mail. I consulted with Dr. Dodman about my cat that sprays and Dr. Dodman and his associates were very helpful. We have been able to get the problem under control. Here’s some info about Dr. Dodman with a link to info about PETFAX http://www.tufts.edu/vet/faculty/facpages/dodman_n.html Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Lisa — we have had our share of behavior problems and I had a lot of > success with using a cat behaviorist. You might give that a try — ask your > vet or their office if they can recommend anyone. If you’re near > Albuquerque, I can recommend mine. Once the behaviorist explained the cat > dynamics going on (it turned out I was reading one of the cats wrong and > I’ve had cats all my life) I tried her suggestions and amazingly all got > much better. > Christine B. (meowmie to Omar, Midnight, Shetra & Oreo; pix at > http://www.ejepo.com/burel) > A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong > places > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to > check > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have > any > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want > to > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
> Despite all the outcry against declawing cats, one benefit that has been > reported numerous times is that declawed cats settle much better into the > house routine, including using the litter box properly, and even developing > a better bond with their owners. If you cat has not been declawed yet, > please seriously consider it, because I know from my experience with many > cats that you will be able to stand her current behaviour for only so long > before you begin entertaining more drastic measures. > All the best, > Adam
Once again I hope we all (new posters esp.) notice this is TROLLING. Karen
Response:
Sorry for my ignorance, but I’m new in this NG and I don’t understand how I would recognize this post as "trolling". Pls enlighten. Dick
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Despite all the outcry against declawing cats, one benefit that has been > reported numerous times is that declawed cats settle much better into the > house routine, including using the litter box properly, and even developing > a better bond with their owners. If you cat has not been declawed yet, > please seriously consider it, because I know from my experience with many > cats that you will be able to stand her current behaviour for only so long > before you begin entertaining more drastic measures. > All the best, > Adam > Once again I hope we all (new posters esp.) notice this is TROLLING. > Karen
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Sorry for my ignorance, but I’m new in this NG and I don’t understand how I > would recognize this post as "trolling". Pls enlighten. > Dick >> Despite all the outcry against declawing cats, one benefit that has been >> reported numerous times is that declawed cats settle much better into > the >> house routine, including using the litter box properly, and even > developing >> a better bond with their owners. If you cat has not been declawed yet, >> please seriously consider it, because I know from my experience with > many >> cats that you will be able to stand her current behaviour for only so > long >> before you begin entertaining more drastic measures. >> All the best, >> Adam > Once again I hope we all (new posters esp.) notice this is TROLLING. > Karen
Because he is handing out terribly dangerous information in his trolling. Usually I ignore them, or try too, but this guy is dangerous. Karen
Response:
Celeste, yes they are scooped twice a day, and with scoopable litter. She doesn’t do this all the time either, just occasionally. Lisa – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Lisa, > You mentioned you have 7 litter boxes. My question is do you clean > them all twice a day & use scoopable litter. I find the scoopable the > best because it doesn’t hold odors. I have had 2 cats in my life that > absolutely refused to use the litter box until I cleaned it for them. > I currently have 3 cats who use 1 box and I clean it twice a day. If > I’m not home to do it I make arrangements for family to stop in and > take care of the box for me. If I don’t do this the one pees outside > the box. He insist it be cleaned and will wait for me to clean it so > he can go. I had another cat years ago that would deliberately let me > surprises right inside the front door as a reminder that I didn’t > clean his box. > Celeste
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> If you don’t have an animal behaviorist in your area, you could consult with > Dr. Nicholas Dodman, one of the best. He’s at Tuft’s in Boston but he > offers a consulting service called PETFAX. You can consult via telephone, > e-mail, fax, snail mail. I consulted with Dr. Dodman about my cat that > sprays and Dr. Dodman and his associates were very helpful. We have been > able to get the problem under control. Here’s some info about Dr. Dodman > with a link to info about PETFAX > http://www.tufts.edu/vet/faculty/facpages/dodman_n.html > Sue > > Lisa — we have had our share of behavior problems and I had a lot of > > success with using a cat behaviorist. You might give that a try — ask > your > > vet or their office if they can recommend anyone. If you’re near > > Albuquerque, I can recommend mine. Once the behaviorist explained the cat > > dynamics going on (it turned out I was reading one of the cats wrong and > > I’ve had cats all my life) I tried her suggestions and amazingly all got > > much better. > > Christine B. (meowmie to Omar, Midnight, Shetra & Oreo; pix at > > http://www.ejepo.com/burel) > > > A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong > places > > > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to > check > > > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and > all > > > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > > > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by > her > > > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > > > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > > > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > > > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the > vet > > > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have > any > > > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat > that > > > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know > that > > > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the > stress > > > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > > > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t > want > to > > > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
Despite all the outcry against declawing cats, one benefit that has been reported numerous times is that declawed cats settle much better into the house routine, including using the litter box properly, and even developing a better bond with their owners. If you cat has not been declawed yet, please seriously consider it, because I know from my experience with many cats that you will be able to stand her current behaviour for only so long before you begin entertaining more drastic measures. All the best, Adam
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong places > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to check > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have any > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want to > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
Lisa, You mentioned you have 7 litter boxes. My question is do you clean them all twice a day & use scoopable litter. I find the scoopable the best because it doesn’t hold odors. I have had 2 cats in my life that absolutely refused to use the litter box until I cleaned it for them. I currently have 3 cats who use 1 box and I clean it twice a day. If I’m not home to do it I make arrangements for family to stop in and take care of the box for me. If I don’t do this the one pees outside the box. He insist it be cleaned and will wait for me to clean it so he can go. I had another cat years ago that would deliberately let me surprises right inside the front door as a reminder that I didn’t clean his box. Celeste – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > If you don’t have an animal behaviorist in your area, you could consult with > Dr. Nicholas Dodman, one of the best. He’s at Tuft’s in Boston but he > offers a consulting service called PETFAX. You can consult via telephone, > e-mail, fax, snail mail. I consulted with Dr. Dodman about my cat that > sprays and Dr. Dodman and his associates were very helpful. We have been > able to get the problem under control. Here’s some info about Dr. Dodman > with a link to info about PETFAX > http://www.tufts.edu/vet/faculty/facpages/dodman_n.html > Sue > Lisa — we have had our share of behavior problems and I had a lot of > success with using a cat behaviorist. You might give that a try — ask > your > vet or their office if they can recommend anyone. If you’re near > Albuquerque, I can recommend mine. Once the behaviorist explained the cat > dynamics going on (it turned out I was reading one of the cats wrong and > I’ve had cats all my life) I tried her suggestions and amazingly all got > much better. > Christine B. (meowmie to Omar, Midnight, Shetra & Oreo; pix at > http://www.ejepo.com/burel) > > A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong > places > > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to > check > > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and > all > > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by > her > > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the > vet > > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have > any > > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat > that > > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know > that > > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the > stress > > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t > want > to > > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
I did not have good success with valium when I was trying to get my cat to stop spraying. You are right…valium should be for short periods of use only. There are other anti-anxiety meds used more often than valium. What worked with my cat was prozac. There is also clomipramine which is also very effective. Sue
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Lisa, > Assuming the urination is truly an anxiety issue, I have had excellent > success with valium (or its generic). It tends to be more effective > than some of the other anti-anxiety agents such as Buspar. Valium is > NOT an appropriate drug for long term use. It would be appropriate, > if at all, only for short term relief while other less-drugged-out > measures are put into place. Others have posted some suggestions > along that line: behaviorist, ensuring adequate litter boxes (I know > you said 7 for 6 cats), looking at how to reduce the ongoing stress. > If you decide to go this route, I can tell you that the first two days > of medication are unpleasant. The cat acts drunk, which isn’t funny. > Once the cat has become used to the medicine, the cat will act normal > or even a little mellow. The longest I ever used valium on a cat was > for one week or less. So I’m stressing again this is a short term > measure meant to buy everybody some time. > I have read veterinary research articles about the efficacy of valium > for anxiety related urination. Unfortunately, I don’t have the > articles any more, so I can’t cite them. I know my vet agrees valium > can be highly effective for short term relief, but it is never my > vet’s preferred choice of treatment. Why? One, the potential for the > human-owner to personally abuse the medicine. Because Buspar is not > addictive and does not create euphoria, it isn’t abused by the > human-owners the way valium might be. Two, the possibility the owner > will treat this as an easy, inexpensive fix and not work towards a > more appropriate solution. > Your vet may not even be willing to prescribe the drug. It’s worth > asking though if you are interested. I suspect what your vet will say > is increase the Buspar.
Response:
> I did not have good success with valium when I was trying to get my cat to > stop spraying. You are right…valium should be for short periods of use > only. There are other anti-anxiety meds used more often than valium. What > worked with my cat was prozac. There is also clomipramine which is also > very effective. > Sue
Sue, Thank you for adding suggestions. I’m always hesitant to make the valium suggestion, but because BuSpar offered some relief, I decided to go ahead and make it. Your post also points out what is ultimately obvious, no two cats are alike and no two cats will respond the same to a certain medicine. The few times I went the valium route, I had 100% success and meanwhile effectively resolved the underlying problem. Susan
Response:
We have 6 cats, and 7 boxes.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Lisa, > How many cats do you have? Do you have the same number of litter boxes that > you do cats? > Sharon
Response:
Lisa, Assuming the urination is truly an anxiety issue, I have had excellent success with valium (or its generic). It tends to be more effective than some of the other anti-anxiety agents such as Buspar. Valium is NOT an appropriate drug for long term use. It would be appropriate, if at all, only for short term relief while other less-drugged-out measures are put into place. Others have posted some suggestions along that line: behaviorist, ensuring adequate litter boxes (I know you said 7 for 6 cats), looking at how to reduce the ongoing stress. If you decide to go this route, I can tell you that the first two days of medication are unpleasant. The cat acts drunk, which isn’t funny. Once the cat has become used to the medicine, the cat will act normal or even a little mellow. The longest I ever used valium on a cat was for one week or less. So I’m stressing again this is a short term measure meant to buy everybody some time. I have read veterinary research articles about the efficacy of valium for anxiety related urination. Unfortunately, I don’t have the articles any more, so I can’t cite them. I know my vet agrees valium can be highly effective for short term relief, but it is never my vet’s preferred choice of treatment. Why? One, the potential for the human-owner to personally abuse the medicine. Because Buspar is not addictive and does not create euphoria, it isn’t abused by the human-owners the way valium might be. Two, the possibility the owner will treat this as an easy, inexpensive fix and not work towards a more appropriate solution. Your vet may not even be willing to prescribe the drug. It’s worth asking though if you are interested. I suspect what your vet will say is increase the Buspar.
Response:
Lisa, How many cats do you have? Do you have the same number of litter boxes that you do cats? Sharon
Response:
Lisa — we have had our share of behavior problems and I had a lot of success with using a cat behaviorist. You might give that a try — ask your vet or their office if they can recommend anyone. If you’re near Albuquerque, I can recommend mine. Once the behaviorist explained the cat dynamics going on (it turned out I was reading one of the cats wrong and I’ve had cats all my life) I tried her suggestions and amazingly all got much better. Christine B. (meowmie to Omar, Midnight, Shetra & Oreo; pix at http://www.ejepo.com/burel)
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong places > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to check > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have any > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want to > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong places (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to check for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have any other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want to have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
Lisa: If the Feliway doesn’t work, there are other medications the vet can try (aside from Buspar). I would try them. Also, I would probably seek a second opinion at that point. Bring all of your cat’s records with you. Gail – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong places > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to check > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have any > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want to > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
It’s possible that you may have to incease the Buspar or try another anti-anxiety medication. Sometimes a med may work for a while and then loose it’s effectiveness. Also, give the feliway a try. Good luck! Sue
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong places > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to check > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have any > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want to > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
If you don’t have an animal behaviorist in your area, you could consult with Dr. Nicholas Dodman, one of the best. He’s at Tuft’s in Boston but he offers a consulting service called PETFAX. You can consult via telephone, e-mail, fax, snail mail. I consulted with Dr. Dodman about my cat that sprays and Dr. Dodman and his associates were very helpful. We have been able to get the problem under control. Here’s some info about Dr. Dodman with a link to info about PETFAX http://www.tufts.edu/vet/faculty/facpages/dodman_n.html Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Lisa — we have had our share of behavior problems and I had a lot of > success with using a cat behaviorist. You might give that a try — ask your > vet or their office if they can recommend anyone. If you’re near > Albuquerque, I can recommend mine. Once the behaviorist explained the cat > dynamics going on (it turned out I was reading one of the cats wrong and > I’ve had cats all my life) I tried her suggestions and amazingly all got > much better. > Christine B. (meowmie to Omar, Midnight, Shetra & Oreo; pix at > http://www.ejepo.com/burel) > A while ago I posted about my cat, who was urinating in all the wrong > places > (including up by her food). Many of you gave me great suggestions to > check > for, including crystals and stones. We did have her checked out, and all > came back negative. The vet determined (and we agreed) that it is most > likely behavioral, since she’s doing it not only on the floor, but by her > food. She was put on 5mg of BuSpar a day, and it had been going fine. > However, this week she has gone twice on the floor and once by the food. > It’s like the medicine only "scared" her into not doing it for a while > (she’s been on it for almost 2 months). The only other suggestion the vet > had was feliway, which we are going to pick up today. Does anyone have > any > other ideas? I love her dearly, but I have already lived with a cat that > did this for 12 years, and I honestly can’t do it again. I also know that > she’d probably be fine in a single cat household (I think it’s the stress > from the other cats that is doing this), but since I can’t promise it, I > can’t see finding her a home with someone either, and I really don’t want > to > have to have her put down. Please help! Thanks. Lisa Stormont
Response:
March 23, 2002
Question:
I tried my first dose of clomipramine-25mg, and I don’t like it. The side effect- extreme drowsiness, and impairment of my cognitive abilities- which I think comes from the drowsiness. I find that I can’t follow conversations- but this is from the drowsiness. As the morning progresses, I am a little clearer. Does the drowsiness abate after getting used to the med? After four days, I am supposed to take 50mg. Anyone experience sexual dysfunction with clomipramine? I am currently taking 45mg of Remeron which doesn’t interfere with sexual functioning. Keshet
Response:
I took clomipramine years and years ago (50 mg. daily). It is a very effective anti-depressant, and is also very helpful if you have any Obsessive-Compulsive tendencies. I eventually switched to Prozac because my work involves a lot of detail, both physically and mentally, and the brain fog and shakiness were unacceptable. If you are too "out of it" talk to your doctor. Perhaps you can either split up the dose or take it in the early evening when you are home for the night, or advise him that you find the side effects to overwhelming. Tricyclics are very good antidepressants, but they do carry more side effects than some other (SSRI) anti-depressants such as Prozac. Good luck. regards, Compucat >^+^<
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I tried my first dose of clomipramine-25mg, and I don’t like it. The > side effect- extreme drowsiness, and impairment of my cognitive > abilities- which I think comes from the drowsiness. > I find that I can’t follow conversations- but this is from the > drowsiness. As the morning progresses, I am a little clearer. > Does the drowsiness abate after getting used to the med? After four > days, I am supposed to take 50mg. > Anyone experience sexual dysfunction with clomipramine? > I am currently taking 45mg of Remeron which doesn’t interfere with > sexual functioning. > Keshet
Response:
February 26, 2002
Question:
Could you consider making her an outdoor kitty and allowing her to come indoors at night in the crate? It would be better than giving her up and having her euthanized. Have you tried the medications which discourage inappropriate urination? There are a few available that you might want to try, since you’ve tried everything else.
Response:
Kathy, Yes, I’ll agree with you there. Sounds like Robin needs a last resort. Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Robin, > You could try using Feliway to see if it will make a difference. Problem > with Feliway is that you have to start in a fairly clean environment > meaning > you have to get rid of any previous urine smells. And you have to use it > exactly as directed. > I would suggest that you read Dr. Nicholas Dodman’s book, "The Cat Who > Cried > For Help." Dr. Dodman is a reknown veterinarian and animal behaviorist. > I > have a male cat that sprays and, after consulting with Dr. Dodman, we > decided to medicate him and try some behavior modification techniques. > There are a couple of different anti-anxiety meds that work with a > spraying > cat…buspar, clomipramine, etc. You have to find the right one for your > cat. I’m not suggesting that you medicate your cat, this should be done > as > a last resort. > Let me know if you want any info about Dr. Dodman’s consultation service > called PETFAX. It was well worth the money. > Sue > Hi Sue, > Dr. Dodman is so cool – I just love him. I agree – giving meds to a cat > or a dog would be a last resort. If there was ever a case that called for > the use of medication one would think Robin’s situation would be it. > Kathy K.
Response:
Pls go to visit this homepage: Housetraining. http://www.fanciers.com/cat-faqs/behavior.shtml#housetraining
Response:
You need a large cage, one which the cat can live in comfortably, like a four- foot jobbie breeders and rescuers use. Put your kitty in it and keep her there. Be sure to keep her cage VERY clean and her box very clean. When you let her out, insist she wear a baby diaper (infant size) with a hole cut for her tail. Clean up the house so none of the smell remains. She may have to live in the cage for several months until she forgets the habit. Jacque
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside > the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no > litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had > several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started > spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That > housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, > and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats > (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But > the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: > different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape > along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; > I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions > (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully > eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she > continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner > obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the > litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that > this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of > her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. > Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive > approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were > sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out > being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So > I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the > crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. > I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about > a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box > less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot > of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my > security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at > least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very > stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think > that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t > improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less > to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt > to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If > I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? > After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will > probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping > that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. > Robin
Response:
Robin, Here’s a link to a website for Dr. Kathleen Carson who practices both traditional and holistic veterinary medicine. She does do consults. And I know she had dealt with problems like you are experiencing. I have not consulted with Dr. Kathleen myself but I know her to be very helpful to others. http://www.holisticvetconsult.com/ Also, here’s the website for Dr. Dodman and his PETFAX service. http://www.tufts.edu/vet/faculty/facpages/dodman_n.html With Dr. Dodman’s help I was able to get my own cat’s spraying problem under control. Good luck. I know what it is like to live with a spraying cat. Sue
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve gotten a number of responses backchannel that also recommend > meds, so I think I’m going to take her back to my vet. Someone > recommended consulting with a holistic vet about herbal rememdies– > does anyone here know anything about that? > The crystal litter is the only one I haven’t tried– it might be worth > a shot. > You’re right– this is a *very* debilitating problem. I got her from > the pound when she was just 6 weeks old, and I love her dearly and > can’t imagine giving up on her. But years of cleaning urine daily and > stressing over carpeting, paint, roommates’ belongings, etc. has > really worn me out. > Thanks to everyone who has responded
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> i had to medicate mine & that works very well for me. buspar supposedly > works well for females who spray, but not for males … but it is expensive. > have you tried the new litters yet that have those crystals in them? my > indoor & outdoor cats now prefer to come in & use the litterbox instead of > going outside. they are crazy for that stuff. and rest assured, it has > nothing whatever to do with how often you do or do not clean the litter. > some cats are just sprayers & others are not. > seriously tho, contact your vet. they can help you with this problem with > medication. certainly medication is a better way to go than getting rid of a > beloved pet. > also, when you are cleaning it up, are you using anything with ammonia in > it? since urine smells like ammonia, that might be a problem. > having been there & had to deal with what you are going thru, anyone who > would get angry over this just does not understand the problem & how > debilitating it can be for a human to deal with. > barbara > > I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside > > the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no > > litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had > > several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started > > spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That > > housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, > > and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats > > (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But > > the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: > > different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape > > along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; > > I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions > > (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully > > eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she > > continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner > > obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the > > litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that > > this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of > > her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. > > Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive > > approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were > > sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out > > being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So > > I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the > > crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. > > I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about > > a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box > > less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot > > of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my > > security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at > > least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very > > stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think > > that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t > > improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less > > to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt > > to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If > > I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? > > After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will > > probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping > > that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. > > Robin
Response:
I’ve gotten a number of responses backchannel that also recommend meds, so I think I’m going to take her back to my vet. Someone recommended consulting with a holistic vet about herbal rememdies– does anyone here know anything about that? The crystal litter is the only one I haven’t tried– it might be worth a shot. You’re right– this is a *very* debilitating problem. I got her from the pound when she was just 6 weeks old, and I love her dearly and can’t imagine giving up on her. But years of cleaning urine daily and stressing over carpeting, paint, roommates’ belongings, etc. has really worn me out. Thanks to everyone who has responded – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > i had to medicate mine & that works very well for me. buspar supposedly > works well for females who spray, but not for males … but it is expensive. > have you tried the new litters yet that have those crystals in them? my > indoor & outdoor cats now prefer to come in & use the litterbox instead of > going outside. they are crazy for that stuff. and rest assured, it has > nothing whatever to do with how often you do or do not clean the litter. > some cats are just sprayers & others are not. > seriously tho, contact your vet. they can help you with this problem with > medication. certainly medication is a better way to go than getting rid of a > beloved pet. > also, when you are cleaning it up, are you using anything with ammonia in > it? since urine smells like ammonia, that might be a problem. > having been there & had to deal with what you are going thru, anyone who > would get angry over this just does not understand the problem & how > debilitating it can be for a human to deal with. > barbara > I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside > the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no > litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had > several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started > spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That > housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, > and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats > (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But > the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: > different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape > along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; > I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions > (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully > eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she > continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner > obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the > litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that > this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of > her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. > Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive > approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were > sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out > being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So > I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the > crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. > I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about > a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box > less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot > of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my > security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at > least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very > stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think > that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t > improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less > to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt > to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If > I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? > After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will > probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping > that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. > Robin
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Robin, > You could try using Feliway to see if it will make a difference. Problem > with Feliway is that you have to start in a fairly clean environment meaning > you have to get rid of any previous urine smells. And you have to use it > exactly as directed. > I would suggest that you read Dr. Nicholas Dodman’s book, "The Cat Who Cried > For Help." Dr. Dodman is a reknown veterinarian and animal behaviorist. I > have a male cat that sprays and, after consulting with Dr. Dodman, we > decided to medicate him and try some behavior modification techniques. > There are a couple of different anti-anxiety meds that work with a spraying > cat…buspar, clomipramine, etc. You have to find the right one for your > cat. I’m not suggesting that you medicate your cat, this should be done as > a last resort. > Let me know if you want any info about Dr. Dodman’s consultation service > called PETFAX. It was well worth the money. > Sue
Hi Sue, Dr. Dodman is so cool – I just love him. I agree – giving meds to a cat or a dog would be a last resort. If there was ever a case that called for the use of medication one would think Robin’s situation would be it. Kathy K.
Response:
Robin, You could try using Feliway to see if it will make a difference. Problem with Feliway is that you have to start in a fairly clean environment meaning you have to get rid of any previous urine smells. And you have to use it exactly as directed. I would suggest that you read Dr. Nicholas Dodman’s book, "The Cat Who Cried For Help." Dr. Dodman is a reknown veterinarian and animal behaviorist. I have a male cat that sprays and, after consulting with Dr. Dodman, we decided to medicate him and try some behavior modification techniques. There are a couple of different anti-anxiety meds that work with a spraying cat…buspar, clomipramine, etc. You have to find the right one for your cat. I’m not suggesting that you medicate your cat, this should be done as a last resort. Let me know if you want any info about Dr. Dodman’s consultation service called PETFAX. It was well worth the money. Sue
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside > the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no > litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had > several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started > spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That > housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, > and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats > (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But > the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: > different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape > along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; > I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions > (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully > eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she > continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner > obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the > litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that > this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of > her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. > Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive > approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were > sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out > being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So > I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the > crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. > I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about > a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box > less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot > of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my > security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at > least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very > stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think > that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t > improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less > to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt > to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If > I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? > After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will > probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping > that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. > Robin
Response:
i had to medicate mine & that works very well for me. buspar supposedly works well for females who spray, but not for males … but it is expensive. have you tried the new litters yet that have those crystals in them? my indoor & outdoor cats now prefer to come in & use the litterbox instead of going outside. they are crazy for that stuff. and rest assured, it has nothing whatever to do with how often you do or do not clean the litter. some cats are just sprayers & others are not. seriously tho, contact your vet. they can help you with this problem with medication. certainly medication is a better way to go than getting rid of a beloved pet. also, when you are cleaning it up, are you using anything with ammonia in it? since urine smells like ammonia, that might be a problem. having been there & had to deal with what you are going thru, anyone who would get angry over this just does not understand the problem & how debilitating it can be for a human to deal with. barbara
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside > the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no > litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had > several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started > spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That > housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, > and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats > (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But > the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: > different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape > along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; > I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions > (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully > eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she > continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner > obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the > litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that > this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of > her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. > Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive > approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were > sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out > being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So > I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the > crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. > I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about > a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box > less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot > of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my > security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at > least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very > stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think > that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t > improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less > to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt > to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If > I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? > After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will > probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping > that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. > Robin
Response:
I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. Robin
Response:
Could you consider making her an outdoor kitty and allowing her to come indoors at night in the crate? It would be better than giving her up and having her euthanized. Have you tried the medications which discourage inappropriate urination? There are a few available that you might want to try, since you’ve tried everything else.
Response:
Kathy, Yes, I’ll agree with you there. Sounds like Robin needs a last resort. Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Robin, > You could try using Feliway to see if it will make a difference. Problem > with Feliway is that you have to start in a fairly clean environment > meaning > you have to get rid of any previous urine smells. And you have to use it > exactly as directed. > I would suggest that you read Dr. Nicholas Dodman’s book, "The Cat Who > Cried > For Help." Dr. Dodman is a reknown veterinarian and animal behaviorist. > I > have a male cat that sprays and, after consulting with Dr. Dodman, we > decided to medicate him and try some behavior modification techniques. > There are a couple of different anti-anxiety meds that work with a > spraying > cat…buspar, clomipramine, etc. You have to find the right one for your > cat. I’m not suggesting that you medicate your cat, this should be done > as > a last resort. > Let me know if you want any info about Dr. Dodman’s consultation service > called PETFAX. It was well worth the money. > Sue > Hi Sue, > Dr. Dodman is so cool – I just love him. I agree – giving meds to a cat > or a dog would be a last resort. If there was ever a case that called for > the use of medication one would think Robin’s situation would be it. > Kathy K.
Response:
Pls go to visit this homepage: Housetraining. http://www.fanciers.com/cat-faqs/behavior.shtml#housetraining
Response:
You need a large cage, one which the cat can live in comfortably, like a four- foot jobbie breeders and rescuers use. Put your kitty in it and keep her there. Be sure to keep her cage VERY clean and her box very clean. When you let her out, insist she wear a baby diaper (infant size) with a hole cut for her tail. Clean up the house so none of the smell remains. She may have to live in the cage for several months until she forgets the habit. Jacque
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside > the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no > litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had > several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started > spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That > housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, > and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats > (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But > the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: > different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape > along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; > I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions > (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully > eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she > continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner > obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the > litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that > this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of > her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. > Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive > approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were > sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out > being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So > I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the > crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. > I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about > a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box > less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot > of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my > security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at > least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very > stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think > that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t > improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less > to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt > to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If > I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? > After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will > probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping > that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. > Robin
Response:
Robin, Here’s a link to a website for Dr. Kathleen Carson who practices both traditional and holistic veterinary medicine. She does do consults. And I know she had dealt with problems like you are experiencing. I have not consulted with Dr. Kathleen myself but I know her to be very helpful to others. http://www.holisticvetconsult.com/ Also, here’s the website for Dr. Dodman and his PETFAX service. http://www.tufts.edu/vet/faculty/facpages/dodman_n.html With Dr. Dodman’s help I was able to get my own cat’s spraying problem under control. Good luck. I know what it is like to live with a spraying cat. Sue
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve gotten a number of responses backchannel that also recommend > meds, so I think I’m going to take her back to my vet. Someone > recommended consulting with a holistic vet about herbal rememdies– > does anyone here know anything about that? > The crystal litter is the only one I haven’t tried– it might be worth > a shot. > You’re right– this is a *very* debilitating problem. I got her from > the pound when she was just 6 weeks old, and I love her dearly and > can’t imagine giving up on her. But years of cleaning urine daily and > stressing over carpeting, paint, roommates’ belongings, etc. has > really worn me out. > Thanks to everyone who has responded
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> i had to medicate mine & that works very well for me. buspar supposedly > works well for females who spray, but not for males … but it is expensive. > have you tried the new litters yet that have those crystals in them? my > indoor & outdoor cats now prefer to come in & use the litterbox instead of > going outside. they are crazy for that stuff. and rest assured, it has > nothing whatever to do with how often you do or do not clean the litter. > some cats are just sprayers & others are not. > seriously tho, contact your vet. they can help you with this problem with > medication. certainly medication is a better way to go than getting rid of a > beloved pet. > also, when you are cleaning it up, are you using anything with ammonia in > it? since urine smells like ammonia, that might be a problem. > having been there & had to deal with what you are going thru, anyone who > would get angry over this just does not understand the problem & how > debilitating it can be for a human to deal with. > barbara > > I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside > > the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no > > litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had > > several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started > > spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That > > housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, > > and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats > > (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But > > the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: > > different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape > > along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; > > I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions > > (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully > > eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she > > continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner > > obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the > > litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that > > this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of > > her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. > > Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive > > approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were > > sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out > > being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So > > I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the > > crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. > > I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about > > a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box > > less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot > > of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my > > security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at > > least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very > > stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think > > that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t > > improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less > > to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt > > to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If > > I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? > > After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will > > probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping > > that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. > > Robin
Response:
I’ve gotten a number of responses backchannel that also recommend meds, so I think I’m going to take her back to my vet. Someone recommended consulting with a holistic vet about herbal rememdies– does anyone here know anything about that? The crystal litter is the only one I haven’t tried– it might be worth a shot. You’re right– this is a *very* debilitating problem. I got her from the pound when she was just 6 weeks old, and I love her dearly and can’t imagine giving up on her. But years of cleaning urine daily and stressing over carpeting, paint, roommates’ belongings, etc. has really worn me out. Thanks to everyone who has responded – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > i had to medicate mine & that works very well for me. buspar supposedly > works well for females who spray, but not for males … but it is expensive. > have you tried the new litters yet that have those crystals in them? my > indoor & outdoor cats now prefer to come in & use the litterbox instead of > going outside. they are crazy for that stuff. and rest assured, it has > nothing whatever to do with how often you do or do not clean the litter. > some cats are just sprayers & others are not. > seriously tho, contact your vet. they can help you with this problem with > medication. certainly medication is a better way to go than getting rid of a > beloved pet. > also, when you are cleaning it up, are you using anything with ammonia in > it? since urine smells like ammonia, that might be a problem. > having been there & had to deal with what you are going thru, anyone who > would get angry over this just does not understand the problem & how > debilitating it can be for a human to deal with. > barbara > I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside > the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no > litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had > several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started > spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That > housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, > and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats > (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But > the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: > different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape > along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; > I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions > (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully > eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she > continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner > obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the > litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that > this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of > her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. > Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive > approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were > sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out > being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So > I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the > crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. > I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about > a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box > less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot > of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my > security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at > least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very > stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think > that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t > improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less > to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt > to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If > I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? > After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will > probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping > that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. > Robin
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Robin, > You could try using Feliway to see if it will make a difference. Problem > with Feliway is that you have to start in a fairly clean environment meaning > you have to get rid of any previous urine smells. And you have to use it > exactly as directed. > I would suggest that you read Dr. Nicholas Dodman’s book, "The Cat Who Cried > For Help." Dr. Dodman is a reknown veterinarian and animal behaviorist. I > have a male cat that sprays and, after consulting with Dr. Dodman, we > decided to medicate him and try some behavior modification techniques. > There are a couple of different anti-anxiety meds that work with a spraying > cat…buspar, clomipramine, etc. You have to find the right one for your > cat. I’m not suggesting that you medicate your cat, this should be done as > a last resort. > Let me know if you want any info about Dr. Dodman’s consultation service > called PETFAX. It was well worth the money. > Sue
Hi Sue, Dr. Dodman is so cool – I just love him. I agree – giving meds to a cat or a dog would be a last resort. If there was ever a case that called for the use of medication one would think Robin’s situation would be it. Kathy K.
Response:
Robin, You could try using Feliway to see if it will make a difference. Problem with Feliway is that you have to start in a fairly clean environment meaning you have to get rid of any previous urine smells. And you have to use it exactly as directed. I would suggest that you read Dr. Nicholas Dodman’s book, "The Cat Who Cried For Help." Dr. Dodman is a reknown veterinarian and animal behaviorist. I have a male cat that sprays and, after consulting with Dr. Dodman, we decided to medicate him and try some behavior modification techniques. There are a couple of different anti-anxiety meds that work with a spraying cat…buspar, clomipramine, etc. You have to find the right one for your cat. I’m not suggesting that you medicate your cat, this should be done as a last resort. Let me know if you want any info about Dr. Dodman’s consultation service called PETFAX. It was well worth the money. Sue
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside > the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no > litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had > several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started > spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That > housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, > and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats > (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But > the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: > different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape > along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; > I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions > (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully > eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she > continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner > obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the > litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that > this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of > her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. > Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive > approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were > sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out > being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So > I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the > crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. > I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about > a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box > less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot > of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my > security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at > least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very > stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think > that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t > improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less > to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt > to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If > I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? > After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will > probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping > that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. > Robin
Response:
i had to medicate mine & that works very well for me. buspar supposedly works well for females who spray, but not for males … but it is expensive. have you tried the new litters yet that have those crystals in them? my indoor & outdoor cats now prefer to come in & use the litterbox instead of going outside. they are crazy for that stuff. and rest assured, it has nothing whatever to do with how often you do or do not clean the litter. some cats are just sprayers & others are not. seriously tho, contact your vet. they can help you with this problem with medication. certainly medication is a better way to go than getting rid of a beloved pet. also, when you are cleaning it up, are you using anything with ammonia in it? since urine smells like ammonia, that might be a problem. having been there & had to deal with what you are going thru, anyone who would get angry over this just does not understand the problem & how debilitating it can be for a human to deal with. barbara
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside > the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no > litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had > several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started > spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That > housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, > and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats > (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But > the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: > different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape > along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; > I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions > (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully > eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she > continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner > obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the > litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that > this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of > her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. > Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive > approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were > sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out > being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So > I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the > crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. > I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about > a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box > less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot > of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my > security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at > least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very > stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think > that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t > improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less > to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt > to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If > I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? > After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will > probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping > that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. > Robin
Response:
I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. Robin
Response:
Could you consider making her an outdoor kitty and allowing her to come indoors at night in the crate? It would be better than giving her up and having her euthanized. Have you tried the medications which discourage inappropriate urination? There are a few available that you might want to try, since you’ve tried everything else.
Response:
Kathy, Yes, I’ll agree with you there. Sounds like Robin needs a last resort. Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Robin, > You could try using Feliway to see if it will make a difference. Problem > with Feliway is that you have to start in a fairly clean environment > meaning > you have to get rid of any previous urine smells. And you have to use it > exactly as directed. > I would suggest that you read Dr. Nicholas Dodman’s book, "The Cat Who > Cried > For Help." Dr. Dodman is a reknown veterinarian and animal behaviorist. > I > have a male cat that sprays and, after consulting with Dr. Dodman, we > decided to medicate him and try some behavior modification techniques. > There are a couple of different anti-anxiety meds that work with a > spraying > cat…buspar, clomipramine, etc. You have to find the right one for your > cat. I’m not suggesting that you medicate your cat, this should be done > as > a last resort. > Let me know if you want any info about Dr. Dodman’s consultation service > called PETFAX. It was well worth the money. > Sue > Hi Sue, > Dr. Dodman is so cool – I just love him. I agree – giving meds to a cat > or a dog would be a last resort. If there was ever a case that called for > the use of medication one would think Robin’s situation would be it. > Kathy K.
Response:
Pls go to visit this homepage: Housetraining. http://www.fanciers.com/cat-faqs/behavior.shtml#housetraining
Response:
You need a large cage, one which the cat can live in comfortably, like a four- foot jobbie breeders and rescuers use. Put your kitty in it and keep her there. Be sure to keep her cage VERY clean and her box very clean. When you let her out, insist she wear a baby diaper (infant size) with a hole cut for her tail. Clean up the house so none of the smell remains. She may have to live in the cage for several months until she forgets the habit. Jacque
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside > the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no > litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had > several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started > spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That > housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, > and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats > (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But > the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: > different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape > along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; > I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions > (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully > eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she > continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner > obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the > litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that > this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of > her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. > Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive > approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were > sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out > being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So > I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the > crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. > I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about > a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box > less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot > of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my > security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at > least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very > stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think > that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t > improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less > to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt > to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If > I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? > After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will > probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping > that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. > Robin
Response:
Robin, Here’s a link to a website for Dr. Kathleen Carson who practices both traditional and holistic veterinary medicine. She does do consults. And I know she had dealt with problems like you are experiencing. I have not consulted with Dr. Kathleen myself but I know her to be very helpful to others. http://www.holisticvetconsult.com/ Also, here’s the website for Dr. Dodman and his PETFAX service. http://www.tufts.edu/vet/faculty/facpages/dodman_n.html With Dr. Dodman’s help I was able to get my own cat’s spraying problem under control. Good luck. I know what it is like to live with a spraying cat. Sue
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve gotten a number of responses backchannel that also recommend > meds, so I think I’m going to take her back to my vet. Someone > recommended consulting with a holistic vet about herbal rememdies– > does anyone here know anything about that? > The crystal litter is the only one I haven’t tried– it might be worth > a shot. > You’re right– this is a *very* debilitating problem. I got her from > the pound when she was just 6 weeks old, and I love her dearly and > can’t imagine giving up on her. But years of cleaning urine daily and > stressing over carpeting, paint, roommates’ belongings, etc. has > really worn me out. > Thanks to everyone who has responded
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> i had to medicate mine & that works very well for me. buspar supposedly > works well for females who spray, but not for males … but it is expensive. > have you tried the new litters yet that have those crystals in them? my > indoor & outdoor cats now prefer to come in & use the litterbox instead of > going outside. they are crazy for that stuff. and rest assured, it has > nothing whatever to do with how often you do or do not clean the litter. > some cats are just sprayers & others are not. > seriously tho, contact your vet. they can help you with this problem with > medication. certainly medication is a better way to go than getting rid of a > beloved pet. > also, when you are cleaning it up, are you using anything with ammonia in > it? since urine smells like ammonia, that might be a problem. > having been there & had to deal with what you are going thru, anyone who > would get angry over this just does not understand the problem & how > debilitating it can be for a human to deal with. > barbara > > I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside > > the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no > > litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had > > several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started > > spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That > > housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, > > and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats > > (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But > > the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: > > different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape > > along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; > > I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions > > (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully > > eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she > > continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner > > obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the > > litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that > > this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of > > her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. > > Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive > > approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were > > sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out > > being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So > > I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the > > crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. > > I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about > > a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box > > less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot > > of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my > > security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at > > least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very > > stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think > > that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t > > improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less > > to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt > > to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If > > I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? > > After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will > > probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping > > that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. > > Robin
Response:
I’ve gotten a number of responses backchannel that also recommend meds, so I think I’m going to take her back to my vet. Someone recommended consulting with a holistic vet about herbal rememdies– does anyone here know anything about that? The crystal litter is the only one I haven’t tried– it might be worth a shot. You’re right– this is a *very* debilitating problem. I got her from the pound when she was just 6 weeks old, and I love her dearly and can’t imagine giving up on her. But years of cleaning urine daily and stressing over carpeting, paint, roommates’ belongings, etc. has really worn me out. Thanks to everyone who has responded – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > i had to medicate mine & that works very well for me. buspar supposedly > works well for females who spray, but not for males … but it is expensive. > have you tried the new litters yet that have those crystals in them? my > indoor & outdoor cats now prefer to come in & use the litterbox instead of > going outside. they are crazy for that stuff. and rest assured, it has > nothing whatever to do with how often you do or do not clean the litter. > some cats are just sprayers & others are not. > seriously tho, contact your vet. they can help you with this problem with > medication. certainly medication is a better way to go than getting rid of a > beloved pet. > also, when you are cleaning it up, are you using anything with ammonia in > it? since urine smells like ammonia, that might be a problem. > having been there & had to deal with what you are going thru, anyone who > would get angry over this just does not understand the problem & how > debilitating it can be for a human to deal with. > barbara > I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside > the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no > litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had > several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started > spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That > housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, > and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats > (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But > the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: > different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape > along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; > I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions > (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully > eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she > continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner > obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the > litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that > this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of > her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. > Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive > approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were > sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out > being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So > I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the > crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. > I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about > a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box > less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot > of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my > security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at > least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very > stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think > that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t > improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less > to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt > to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If > I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? > After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will > probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping > that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. > Robin
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Robin, > You could try using Feliway to see if it will make a difference. Problem > with Feliway is that you have to start in a fairly clean environment meaning > you have to get rid of any previous urine smells. And you have to use it > exactly as directed. > I would suggest that you read Dr. Nicholas Dodman’s book, "The Cat Who Cried > For Help." Dr. Dodman is a reknown veterinarian and animal behaviorist. I > have a male cat that sprays and, after consulting with Dr. Dodman, we > decided to medicate him and try some behavior modification techniques. > There are a couple of different anti-anxiety meds that work with a spraying > cat…buspar, clomipramine, etc. You have to find the right one for your > cat. I’m not suggesting that you medicate your cat, this should be done as > a last resort. > Let me know if you want any info about Dr. Dodman’s consultation service > called PETFAX. It was well worth the money. > Sue
Hi Sue, Dr. Dodman is so cool – I just love him. I agree – giving meds to a cat or a dog would be a last resort. If there was ever a case that called for the use of medication one would think Robin’s situation would be it. Kathy K.
Response:
Robin, You could try using Feliway to see if it will make a difference. Problem with Feliway is that you have to start in a fairly clean environment meaning you have to get rid of any previous urine smells. And you have to use it exactly as directed. I would suggest that you read Dr. Nicholas Dodman’s book, "The Cat Who Cried For Help." Dr. Dodman is a reknown veterinarian and animal behaviorist. I have a male cat that sprays and, after consulting with Dr. Dodman, we decided to medicate him and try some behavior modification techniques. There are a couple of different anti-anxiety meds that work with a spraying cat…buspar, clomipramine, etc. You have to find the right one for your cat. I’m not suggesting that you medicate your cat, this should be done as a last resort. Let me know if you want any info about Dr. Dodman’s consultation service called PETFAX. It was well worth the money. Sue
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside > the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no > litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had > several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started > spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That > housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, > and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats > (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But > the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: > different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape > along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; > I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions > (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully > eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she > continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner > obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the > litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that > this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of > her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. > Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive > approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were > sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out > being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So > I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the > crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. > I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about > a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box > less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot > of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my > security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at > least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very > stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think > that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t > improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less > to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt > to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If > I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? > After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will > probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping > that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. > Robin
Response:
i had to medicate mine & that works very well for me. buspar supposedly works well for females who spray, but not for males … but it is expensive. have you tried the new litters yet that have those crystals in them? my indoor & outdoor cats now prefer to come in & use the litterbox instead of going outside. they are crazy for that stuff. and rest assured, it has nothing whatever to do with how often you do or do not clean the litter. some cats are just sprayers & others are not. seriously tho, contact your vet. they can help you with this problem with medication. certainly medication is a better way to go than getting rid of a beloved pet. also, when you are cleaning it up, are you using anything with ammonia in it? since urine smells like ammonia, that might be a problem. having been there & had to deal with what you are going thru, anyone who would get angry over this just does not understand the problem & how debilitating it can be for a human to deal with. barbara
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside > the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no > litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had > several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started > spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That > housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, > and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats > (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But > the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: > different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape > along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; > I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions > (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully > eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she > continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner > obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the > litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that > this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of > her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. > Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive > approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were > sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out > being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So > I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the > crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. > I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about > a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box > less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot > of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my > security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at > least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very > stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think > that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t > improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less > to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt > to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If > I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? > After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will > probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping > that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. > Robin
Response:
I have a 12 y.o. spayed female (Gizmo) who has been urinating outside the box for several years, despite *many* interventions. She had no litterbox problems at all until I moved in with a housemate who had several cats, and a territorial battle ensued. Gizmo started spraying walls in several different areas of the house. That housemate has long since moved out, leaving this cat, one other cat, and a miniature poodle who co-exists very peacefully with the two cats (poodle came before the housemate w/cats and caused no problems). But the spraying problem persists. I have tried *so* many things: different kinds of litter, different kinds of boxes, double-sided tape along the walls, vinyl carpet-runner nubby side up along the walls; I’ve cleaned the carpets many times with various types of solutions (Simple Solution and Nature’s Miracle have never worked to fully eliminate odor). We even had all the carpet replaced, but she continued, although in fewer areas. If the tape or the carpet runner obstruct her favorite walls, then she sprays furniture. I clean the litter box *at least* once a day, and often more. It appears that this is not just a territorial thing anymore, but has become part of her regular urination habits. Medical problems have been ruled out. Recently, after doing more research, I took a more aggressive approach. I threw out both the litter boxes that my cats were sharing, bought new ones, and separated the 2 cats. Gizmo started out being contained to one floor of the house, but continued to spray. So I confined her to an expandable crate, giving her more room in the crate after a few days of using only the litter box and not spraying. I clean the litter box and the crate every day. However, after about a week, she started spraying the side of the crate and using the box less. I’m beginning to think this is hopeless. She has ruined a lot of carpet, which will very likely result in the loss of much of my security deposit. Before she was confined, I was cleaning up urine at least every day, and often 2 and 3 times a day. It is a very stressful situation, and for the first time, I am beginning to think that I won’t be able to keep her any longer if this problem doesn’t improve. It breaks my heart to see her confined to a crate, much less to think about giving her up. I’m posting here in a desperate attempt to see if there are any potential solutions that I haven’t tried. If I give her up, is there any hope that she wouldn’t be euthanized? After perusing these message boards a bit, I realize that my post will probably provoke angry and critical responses, but I’m also hoping that others might have some helpful suggestions about this situation. Robin
Response:
February 19, 2002
Question:
Actually I got it at Big Lots, a discount/closeout store. But I’ve seen a number of them on eBay. It holds 5 balls, which have a hole in them to spill out treats, and you can set it to release them every 2 or 4 hours. It will release them with a "dinner bell" sound if you want it to – i find it’s pretty annoying. The deluxe model of this toy (I don’t have) will let you record a 10-15 second message to your cat and play it when it releases the balls. It has a small stainless steel bowl on top where you can put water or food – I put his once a day wet food treat in the bowl. The toy is called a Deli Dome, and it looks like they’re selling on eBay for $10-20. I bought my two for $8 each at the discount store. It’s manufactured by Our Pets, but this toy isn’t on their website anymore, so maybe it’s been discontinued. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> He’s not bored – he’s spoiled out of his mind with interactive toys (they > release balls on a timer), >Where’d you get that???? I’d like to see what it is like. >Karen
Response:
>…It holds 5 balls, which have a hole in them to spill > out treats, and you can set it to release them every 2 or 4 hours. It will > release them with a "dinner bell" sound if you want it to – i find it’s pretty > annoying. The deluxe model of this toy (I don’t have) will let you record a > 10-15 second message to your cat and play it when it releases the balls. It > has a small stainless steel bowl on top where you can put water or food – > I put his once a day wet food treat in the bowl…
Was the cat crazy before you got this contraption?
Response:
Yup. Definately. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Was the cat crazy before you got this contraption? >…It holds 5 balls, which have a hole in them to spill > out treats, and you can set it to release them every 2 or 4 hours. It will > release them with a "dinner bell" sound if you want it to – i find it’s >pretty > annoying. The deluxe model of this toy (I don’t have) will let you record a > 10-15 second message to your cat and play it when it releases the balls. It > has a small stainless steel bowl on top where you can put water or food – > I put his once a day wet food treat in the bowl…
Response:
> Have you ever had a cat who was purring one moment and the next he’s poofed up > his whole body and is jumping at your face and arms sinking his claws and teeth > into your flesh 1/4 of an inch? Injuries to your body so bad that they bleed > for over an hour? Injuries that scar, and probably should have had stitches?
Heck, Alex put me in the hospital before. Laura — One man’s mundane and boring existence is another man’s Technicolor. -Tick, Strange Days
Response:
Well, the day mine does that is the day he goes to a farm home. My friend’s cat was eaten by a coyote on her farm property (they only found a pile of fur) which is why I haven’t already put this cat on a farm, where he can’t injure people. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Heck, Alex put me in the hospital before. >Laura > Have you ever had a cat who was purring one moment and the next he’s poofed >up > his whole body and is jumping at your face and arms sinking his claws and >teeth > into your flesh 1/4 of an inch? Injuries to your body so bad that they >bleed > for over an hour? Injuries that scar, and probably should have had >stitches?
Response:
> He’s not bored – he’s spoiled out of his mind with interactive toys (they > release balls on a timer),
Where’d you get that???? I’d like to see what it is like. Karen
Response:
I have an aggressive 2.5 year old neutered male cat that attacks people unprovoked. He puffs up his tail and raises the hair on his back and then jumps at me with claws and fangs. He usually jumps up towards my arms, but he likes to bite ankles too. Squirt bottles will not deter him. Distracting him with a treat or toy doesn’t work either. I’ve tried Rescue Remedy and that did nothing. He’s been to several vets regarding this, and I’ve tried many behavior modification techniques with no positive effect. My vet now wants me to consider putting him on Buspar. However, Buspar is a human anti-anxiety drug and my cat isn’t so much anxious as he’s aggressive. Last night I ran across a website (http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=0&cat=1457) with some behavior modification drug profiles, and Anafranil (Clomipramine HCI) is used to specifically treat aggression in cats. Both drugs take 3-4 weeks to show any effect, so I’d really like to start him off with whatever seems most effective. My vet says my cat’s unprovoked attacks are very strange, and she hasn’t treated a cat with this problem before. I think maybe she wants to use Buspar because she’s used it for other behavior problems, not aggression. Has anyone used either of these medications, or something else, with their cat?
Response:
Elmer has never attacked people, but he can get very aggressive with my other cats (10 of them). Clomipramine has helped this to the point where, when he goes up to them to snuggle, they back off temporarily, wondering what has come over him, is this a wolf in sheep’s clothing? It is a bit humorous to watch.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have an aggressive 2.5 year old neutered male cat that attacks people > unprovoked. He puffs up his tail and raises the hair on his back and then jumps > at me with claws and fangs. He usually jumps up towards my arms, but he likes > to bite ankles too. Squirt bottles will not deter him. Distracting him with a > treat or toy doesn’t work either. I’ve tried Rescue Remedy and that did > nothing. > He’s been to several vets regarding this, and I’ve tried many behavior > modification techniques with no positive effect. My vet now wants me to > consider putting him on Buspar. However, Buspar is a human anti-anxiety drug > and my cat isn’t so much anxious as he’s aggressive. > Last night I ran across a website > (http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=0&cat=1457) with some > behavior modification drug profiles, and Anafranil (Clomipramine HCI) is used > to specifically treat aggression in cats. Both drugs take 3-4 weeks to show any > effect, so I’d really like to start him off with whatever seems most effective. > My vet says my cat’s unprovoked attacks are very strange, and she hasn’t > treated a cat with this problem before. I think maybe she wants to use Buspar > because she’s used it for other behavior problems, not aggression. Has anyone > used either of these medications, or something else, with their cat?
Response:
That sounds wonderful! How often do you have to give him a pill? About how much does it cost per month? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Elmer has never attacked people, but he can get very aggressive with my >other cats (10 of them). >Clomipramine has helped this to the point where, when he goes up to them to >snuggle, they back off temporarily, wondering what has come over him, is >this a wolf in sheep’s clothing? It is a bit humorous to watch.
Response:
He gets one pill every bedtime. Right now it is expensive–I paid $81 for a bottle that will last 3 months. His dosage is being made at a compounding pharmacy, which accounts for the steep cost. However, when I got that bill and cringed I did some research, and found that smaller pills are now being made, and can be split to give him approximately the right dose level. The cost is about 1/3 as much.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> That sounds wonderful! How often do you have to give him a pill? About how much > does it cost per month? >Elmer has never attacked people, but he can get very aggressive with my >other cats (10 of them). >Clomipramine has helped this to the point where, when he goes up to them to >snuggle, they back off temporarily, wondering what has come over him, is >this a wolf in sheep’s clothing? It is a bit humorous to watch.
Response:
He’s not bored – he’s spoiled out of his mind with interactive toys (they release balls on a timer), and there are other cats in the house. He’s got as much space as I can give him. He’s got the whole house. He can’t go outside because of the area I live in. I don’t wear anything scented. No cologne, no perfume, I don’t use clorox or rubbing alcohol. Like I said, he can’t go outside because of the area I live. Also, I really don’t think he’s like the weather out right now: about 30 degrees. If medication prevents him from being the cat he is, that’s exactly what I’m hoping for! I really don’t think you have any idea about what I’m dealing with? Have you ever had a cat who was purring one moment and the next he’s poofed up his whole body and is jumping at your face and arms sinking his claws and teeth into your flesh 1/4 of an inch? Injuries to your body so bad that they bleed for over an hour? Injuries that scar, and probably should have had stitches? A cat so whacko that three different vets have told you they’ve never encountered a cat that acted this way? Yeah, I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Cats usually are aggressive because they are a) bored out of their minds, b) >they need more "space", c) you’re wearing something that is offensive to >cat’s >sense of smell like cologne, clorox or rubbing alcohol, or d) they just need >to >get outside and smell some fresh air and see some grass. >Medication just prevents a cat from being a cat. >CPS. >I never met a cat I didn’t like.
Response:
How many mg are the pills he takes? http://www.rxlist.com/ says that they come in 25mg, 50mg, and 75mg pills. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->He gets one pill every bedtime. >Right now it is expensive–I paid $81 for a bottle that will last 3 months. >His dosage is being made at a compounding pharmacy, which accounts for the >steep cost. >However, when I got that bill and cringed I did some research, and found >that smaller pills are now being made, and can be split to give him >approximately the right dose level. The cost is about 1/3 as much.
Response:
They are available in Canada in pills as low as 5 mg. My cat currently takes 3.5 mg. When this supply runs out I’m going to discuss with the vet if we can use 5 or 10 mg. pills and divide them into 2.5 mg. doses.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> How many mg are the pills he takes? http://www.rxlist.com/ says that they come > in 25mg, 50mg, and 75mg pills. >He gets one pill every bedtime. >Right now it is expensive–I paid $81 for a bottle that will last 3 months. >His dosage is being made at a compounding pharmacy, which accounts for the >steep cost. >However, when I got that bill and cringed I did some research, and found >that smaller pills are now being made, and can be split to give him >approximately the right dose level. The cost is about 1/3 as much.
Response:
Cats usually are aggressive because they are a) bored out of their minds, b) they need more "space", c) you’re wearing something that is offensive to cat’s sense of smell like cologne, clorox or rubbing alcohol, or d) they just need to get outside and smell some fresh air and see some grass. Medication just prevents a cat from being a cat. CPS. I never met a cat I didn’t like.
Response:
Actually I got it at Big Lots, a discount/closeout store. But I’ve seen a number of them on eBay. It holds 5 balls, which have a hole in them to spill out treats, and you can set it to release them every 2 or 4 hours. It will release them with a "dinner bell" sound if you want it to – i find it’s pretty annoying. The deluxe model of this toy (I don’t have) will let you record a 10-15 second message to your cat and play it when it releases the balls. It has a small stainless steel bowl on top where you can put water or food – I put his once a day wet food treat in the bowl. The toy is called a Deli Dome, and it looks like they’re selling on eBay for $10-20. I bought my two for $8 each at the discount store. It’s manufactured by Our Pets, but this toy isn’t on their website anymore, so maybe it’s been discontinued. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> He’s not bored – he’s spoiled out of his mind with interactive toys (they > release balls on a timer), >Where’d you get that???? I’d like to see what it is like. >Karen
Response:
>…It holds 5 balls, which have a hole in them to spill > out treats, and you can set it to release them every 2 or 4 hours. It will > release them with a "dinner bell" sound if you want it to – i find it’s pretty > annoying. The deluxe model of this toy (I don’t have) will let you record a > 10-15 second message to your cat and play it when it releases the balls. It > has a small stainless steel bowl on top where you can put water or food – > I put his once a day wet food treat in the bowl…
Was the cat crazy before you got this contraption?
Response:
Yup. Definately. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Was the cat crazy before you got this contraption? >…It holds 5 balls, which have a hole in them to spill > out treats, and you can set it to release them every 2 or 4 hours. It will > release them with a "dinner bell" sound if you want it to – i find it’s >pretty > annoying. The deluxe model of this toy (I don’t have) will let you record a > 10-15 second message to your cat and play it when it releases the balls. It > has a small stainless steel bowl on top where you can put water or food – > I put his once a day wet food treat in the bowl…
Response:
> Have you ever had a cat who was purring one moment and the next he’s poofed up > his whole body and is jumping at your face and arms sinking his claws and teeth > into your flesh 1/4 of an inch? Injuries to your body so bad that they bleed > for over an hour? Injuries that scar, and probably should have had stitches?
Heck, Alex put me in the hospital before. Laura — One man’s mundane and boring existence is another man’s Technicolor. -Tick, Strange Days
Response:
Well, the day mine does that is the day he goes to a farm home. My friend’s cat was eaten by a coyote on her farm property (they only found a pile of fur) which is why I haven’t already put this cat on a farm, where he can’t injure people. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Heck, Alex put me in the hospital before. >Laura > Have you ever had a cat who was purring one moment and the next he’s poofed >up > his whole body and is jumping at your face and arms sinking his claws and >teeth > into your flesh 1/4 of an inch? Injuries to your body so bad that they >bleed > for over an hour? Injuries that scar, and probably should have had >stitches?
Response:
> He’s not bored – he’s spoiled out of his mind with interactive toys (they > release balls on a timer),
Where’d you get that???? I’d like to see what it is like. Karen
Response:
I have an aggressive 2.5 year old neutered male cat that attacks people unprovoked. He puffs up his tail and raises the hair on his back and then jumps at me with claws and fangs. He usually jumps up towards my arms, but he likes to bite ankles too. Squirt bottles will not deter him. Distracting him with a treat or toy doesn’t work either. I’ve tried Rescue Remedy and that did nothing. He’s been to several vets regarding this, and I’ve tried many behavior modification techniques with no positive effect. My vet now wants me to consider putting him on Buspar. However, Buspar is a human anti-anxiety drug and my cat isn’t so much anxious as he’s aggressive. Last night I ran across a website (http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=0&cat=1457) with some behavior modification drug profiles, and Anafranil (Clomipramine HCI) is used to specifically treat aggression in cats. Both drugs take 3-4 weeks to show any effect, so I’d really like to start him off with whatever seems most effective. My vet says my cat’s unprovoked attacks are very strange, and she hasn’t treated a cat with this problem before. I think maybe she wants to use Buspar because she’s used it for other behavior problems, not aggression. Has anyone used either of these medications, or something else, with their cat?
Response:
Elmer has never attacked people, but he can get very aggressive with my other cats (10 of them). Clomipramine has helped this to the point where, when he goes up to them to snuggle, they back off temporarily, wondering what has come over him, is this a wolf in sheep’s clothing? It is a bit humorous to watch.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have an aggressive 2.5 year old neutered male cat that attacks people > unprovoked. He puffs up his tail and raises the hair on his back and then jumps > at me with claws and fangs. He usually jumps up towards my arms, but he likes > to bite ankles too. Squirt bottles will not deter him. Distracting him with a > treat or toy doesn’t work either. I’ve tried Rescue Remedy and that did > nothing. > He’s been to several vets regarding this, and I’ve tried many behavior > modification techniques with no positive effect. My vet now wants me to > consider putting him on Buspar. However, Buspar is a human anti-anxiety drug > and my cat isn’t so much anxious as he’s aggressive. > Last night I ran across a website > (http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=0&cat=1457) with some > behavior modification drug profiles, and Anafranil (Clomipramine HCI) is used > to specifically treat aggression in cats. Both drugs take 3-4 weeks to show any > effect, so I’d really like to start him off with whatever seems most effective. > My vet says my cat’s unprovoked attacks are very strange, and she hasn’t > treated a cat with this problem before. I think maybe she wants to use Buspar > because she’s used it for other behavior problems, not aggression. Has anyone > used either of these medications, or something else, with their cat?
Response:
That sounds wonderful! How often do you have to give him a pill? About how much does it cost per month? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Elmer has never attacked people, but he can get very aggressive with my >other cats (10 of them). >Clomipramine has helped this to the point where, when he goes up to them to >snuggle, they back off temporarily, wondering what has come over him, is >this a wolf in sheep’s clothing? It is a bit humorous to watch.
Response:
He gets one pill every bedtime. Right now it is expensive–I paid $81 for a bottle that will last 3 months. His dosage is being made at a compounding pharmacy, which accounts for the steep cost. However, when I got that bill and cringed I did some research, and found that smaller pills are now being made, and can be split to give him approximately the right dose level. The cost is about 1/3 as much.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> That sounds wonderful! How often do you have to give him a pill? About how much > does it cost per month? >Elmer has never attacked people, but he can get very aggressive with my >other cats (10 of them). >Clomipramine has helped this to the point where, when he goes up to them to >snuggle, they back off temporarily, wondering what has come over him, is >this a wolf in sheep’s clothing? It is a bit humorous to watch.
Response:
He’s not bored – he’s spoiled out of his mind with interactive toys (they release balls on a timer), and there are other cats in the house. He’s got as much space as I can give him. He’s got the whole house. He can’t go outside because of the area I live in. I don’t wear anything scented. No cologne, no perfume, I don’t use clorox or rubbing alcohol. Like I said, he can’t go outside because of the area I live. Also, I really don’t think he’s like the weather out right now: about 30 degrees. If medication prevents him from being the cat he is, that’s exactly what I’m hoping for! I really don’t think you have any idea about what I’m dealing with? Have you ever had a cat who was purring one moment and the next he’s poofed up his whole body and is jumping at your face and arms sinking his claws and teeth into your flesh 1/4 of an inch? Injuries to your body so bad that they bleed for over an hour? Injuries that scar, and probably should have had stitches? A cat so whacko that three different vets have told you they’ve never encountered a cat that acted this way? Yeah, I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Cats usually are aggressive because they are a) bored out of their minds, b) >they need more "space", c) you’re wearing something that is offensive to >cat’s >sense of smell like cologne, clorox or rubbing alcohol, or d) they just need >to >get outside and smell some fresh air and see some grass. >Medication just prevents a cat from being a cat. >CPS. >I never met a cat I didn’t like.
Response:
How many mg are the pills he takes? http://www.rxlist.com/ says that they come in 25mg, 50mg, and 75mg pills. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->He gets one pill every bedtime. >Right now it is expensive–I paid $81 for a bottle that will last 3 months. >His dosage is being made at a compounding pharmacy, which accounts for the >steep cost. >However, when I got that bill and cringed I did some research, and found >that smaller pills are now being made, and can be split to give him >approximately the right dose level. The cost is about 1/3 as much.
Response:
They are available in Canada in pills as low as 5 mg. My cat currently takes 3.5 mg. When this supply runs out I’m going to discuss with the vet if we can use 5 or 10 mg. pills and divide them into 2.5 mg. doses.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> How many mg are the pills he takes? http://www.rxlist.com/ says that they come > in 25mg, 50mg, and 75mg pills. >He gets one pill every bedtime. >Right now it is expensive–I paid $81 for a bottle that will last 3 months. >His dosage is being made at a compounding pharmacy, which accounts for the >steep cost. >However, when I got that bill and cringed I did some research, and found >that smaller pills are now being made, and can be split to give him >approximately the right dose level. The cost is about 1/3 as much.
Response:
Cats usually are aggressive because they are a) bored out of their minds, b) they need more "space", c) you’re wearing something that is offensive to cat’s sense of smell like cologne, clorox or rubbing alcohol, or d) they just need to get outside and smell some fresh air and see some grass. Medication just prevents a cat from being a cat. CPS. I never met a cat I didn’t like.
Response:
Actually I got it at Big Lots, a discount/closeout store. But I’ve seen a number of them on eBay. It holds 5 balls, which have a hole in them to spill out treats, and you can set it to release them every 2 or 4 hours. It will release them with a "dinner bell" sound if you want it to – i find it’s pretty annoying. The deluxe model of this toy (I don’t have) will let you record a 10-15 second message to your cat and play it when it releases the balls. It has a small stainless steel bowl on top where you can put water or food – I put his once a day wet food treat in the bowl. The toy is called a Deli Dome, and it looks like they’re selling on eBay for $10-20. I bought my two for $8 each at the discount store. It’s manufactured by Our Pets, but this toy isn’t on their website anymore, so maybe it’s been discontinued. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> He’s not bored – he’s spoiled out of his mind with interactive toys (they > release balls on a timer), >Where’d you get that???? I’d like to see what it is like. >Karen
Response:
>…It holds 5 balls, which have a hole in them to spill > out treats, and you can set it to release them every 2 or 4 hours. It will > release them with a "dinner bell" sound if you want it to – i find it’s pretty > annoying. The deluxe model of this toy (I don’t have) will let you record a > 10-15 second message to your cat and play it when it releases the balls. It > has a small stainless steel bowl on top where you can put water or food – > I put his once a day wet food treat in the bowl…
Was the cat crazy before you got this contraption?
Response:
Yup. Definately. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Was the cat crazy before you got this contraption? >…It holds 5 balls, which have a hole in them to spill > out treats, and you can set it to release them every 2 or 4 hours. It will > release them with a "dinner bell" sound if you want it to – i find it’s >pretty > annoying. The deluxe model of this toy (I don’t have) will let you record a > 10-15 second message to your cat and play it when it releases the balls. It > has a small stainless steel bowl on top where you can put water or food – > I put his once a day wet food treat in the bowl…
Response:
> Have you ever had a cat who was purring one moment and the next he’s poofed up > his whole body and is jumping at your face and arms sinking his claws and teeth > into your flesh 1/4 of an inch? Injuries to your body so bad that they bleed > for over an hour? Injuries that scar, and probably should have had stitches?
Heck, Alex put me in the hospital before. Laura — One man’s mundane and boring existence is another man’s Technicolor. -Tick, Strange Days
Response:
Well, the day mine does that is the day he goes to a farm home. My friend’s cat was eaten by a coyote on her farm property (they only found a pile of fur) which is why I haven’t already put this cat on a farm, where he can’t injure people. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Heck, Alex put me in the hospital before. >Laura > Have you ever had a cat who was purring one moment and the next he’s poofed >up > his whole body and is jumping at your face and arms sinking his claws and >teeth > into your flesh 1/4 of an inch? Injuries to your body so bad that they >bleed > for over an hour? Injuries that scar, and probably should have had >stitches?
Response:
> He’s not bored – he’s spoiled out of his mind with interactive toys (they > release balls on a timer),
Where’d you get that???? I’d like to see what it is like. Karen
Response:
I have an aggressive 2.5 year old neutered male cat that attacks people unprovoked. He puffs up his tail and raises the hair on his back and then jumps at me with claws and fangs. He usually jumps up towards my arms, but he likes to bite ankles too. Squirt bottles will not deter him. Distracting him with a treat or toy doesn’t work either. I’ve tried Rescue Remedy and that did nothing. He’s been to several vets regarding this, and I’ve tried many behavior modification techniques with no positive effect. My vet now wants me to consider putting him on Buspar. However, Buspar is a human anti-anxiety drug and my cat isn’t so much anxious as he’s aggressive. Last night I ran across a website (http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=0&cat=1457) with some behavior modification drug profiles, and Anafranil (Clomipramine HCI) is used to specifically treat aggression in cats. Both drugs take 3-4 weeks to show any effect, so I’d really like to start him off with whatever seems most effective. My vet says my cat’s unprovoked attacks are very strange, and she hasn’t treated a cat with this problem before. I think maybe she wants to use Buspar because she’s used it for other behavior problems, not aggression. Has anyone used either of these medications, or something else, with their cat?
Response:
Elmer has never attacked people, but he can get very aggressive with my other cats (10 of them). Clomipramine has helped this to the point where, when he goes up to them to snuggle, they back off temporarily, wondering what has come over him, is this a wolf in sheep’s clothing? It is a bit humorous to watch.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have an aggressive 2.5 year old neutered male cat that attacks people > unprovoked. He puffs up his tail and raises the hair on his back and then jumps > at me with claws and fangs. He usually jumps up towards my arms, but he likes > to bite ankles too. Squirt bottles will not deter him. Distracting him with a > treat or toy doesn’t work either. I’ve tried Rescue Remedy and that did > nothing. > He’s been to several vets regarding this, and I’ve tried many behavior > modification techniques with no positive effect. My vet now wants me to > consider putting him on Buspar. However, Buspar is a human anti-anxiety drug > and my cat isn’t so much anxious as he’s aggressive. > Last night I ran across a website > (http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=0&cat=1457) with some > behavior modification drug profiles, and Anafranil (Clomipramine HCI) is used > to specifically treat aggression in cats. Both drugs take 3-4 weeks to show any > effect, so I’d really like to start him off with whatever seems most effective. > My vet says my cat’s unprovoked attacks are very strange, and she hasn’t > treated a cat with this problem before. I think maybe she wants to use Buspar > because she’s used it for other behavior problems, not aggression. Has anyone > used either of these medications, or something else, with their cat?
Response:
That sounds wonderful! How often do you have to give him a pill? About how much does it cost per month? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Elmer has never attacked people, but he can get very aggressive with my >other cats (10 of them). >Clomipramine has helped this to the point where, when he goes up to them to >snuggle, they back off temporarily, wondering what has come over him, is >this a wolf in sheep’s clothing? It is a bit humorous to watch.
Response:
He gets one pill every bedtime. Right now it is expensive–I paid $81 for a bottle that will last 3 months. His dosage is being made at a compounding pharmacy, which accounts for the steep cost. However, when I got that bill and cringed I did some research, and found that smaller pills are now being made, and can be split to give him approximately the right dose level. The cost is about 1/3 as much.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> That sounds wonderful! How often do you have to give him a pill? About how much > does it cost per month? >Elmer has never attacked people, but he can get very aggressive with my >other cats (10 of them). >Clomipramine has helped this to the point where, when he goes up to them to >snuggle, they back off temporarily, wondering what has come over him, is >this a wolf in sheep’s clothing? It is a bit humorous to watch.
Response:
He’s not bored – he’s spoiled out of his mind with interactive toys (they release balls on a timer), and there are other cats in the house. He’s got as much space as I can give him. He’s got the whole house. He can’t go outside because of the area I live in. I don’t wear anything scented. No cologne, no perfume, I don’t use clorox or rubbing alcohol. Like I said, he can’t go outside because of the area I live. Also, I really don’t think he’s like the weather out right now: about 30 degrees. If medication prevents him from being the cat he is, that’s exactly what I’m hoping for! I really don’t think you have any idea about what I’m dealing with? Have you ever had a cat who was purring one moment and the next he’s poofed up his whole body and is jumping at your face and arms sinking his claws and teeth into your flesh 1/4 of an inch? Injuries to your body so bad that they bleed for over an hour? Injuries that scar, and probably should have had stitches? A cat so whacko that three different vets have told you they’ve never encountered a cat that acted this way? Yeah, I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Cats usually are aggressive because they are a) bored out of their minds, b) >they need more "space", c) you’re wearing something that is offensive to >cat’s >sense of smell like cologne, clorox or rubbing alcohol, or d) they just need >to >get outside and smell some fresh air and see some grass. >Medication just prevents a cat from being a cat. >CPS. >I never met a cat I didn’t like.
Response:
How many mg are the pills he takes? http://www.rxlist.com/ says that they come in 25mg, 50mg, and 75mg pills. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->He gets one pill every bedtime. >Right now it is expensive–I paid $81 for a bottle that will last 3 months. >His dosage is being made at a compounding pharmacy, which accounts for the >steep cost. >However, when I got that bill and cringed I did some research, and found >that smaller pills are now being made, and can be split to give him >approximately the right dose level. The cost is about 1/3 as much.
Response:
They are available in Canada in pills as low as 5 mg. My cat currently takes 3.5 mg. When this supply runs out I’m going to discuss with the vet if we can use 5 or 10 mg. pills and divide them into 2.5 mg. doses.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> How many mg are the pills he takes? http://www.rxlist.com/ says that they come > in 25mg, 50mg, and 75mg pills. >He gets one pill every bedtime. >Right now it is expensive–I paid $81 for a bottle that will last 3 months. >His dosage is being made at a compounding pharmacy, which accounts for the >steep cost. >However, when I got that bill and cringed I did some research, and found >that smaller pills are now being made, and can be split to give him >approximately the right dose level. The cost is about 1/3 as much.
Response:
Cats usually are aggressive because they are a) bored out of their minds, b) they need more "space", c) you’re wearing something that is offensive to cat’s sense of smell like cologne, clorox or rubbing alcohol, or d) they just need to get outside and smell some fresh air and see some grass. Medication just prevents a cat from being a cat. CPS. I never met a cat I didn’t like.
Response:
February 4, 2002
Question:
> I have a really sluggish metabolism, so my natural tendency is to gain > weight. Interestingly enough, I have seemed to lose my craving for carbs, my > downfall. > Compucat
thats cool… would be useful for me too, cos they’re my downfall, although i need them (complex carbs) cos i get low blood sugar… m — ~~~~~>><:>~~~~~ iriXx "you can try the best you can… you can try the best you can… …the best you can is good enough" radiohead: optomistic
Response:
I have a really sluggish metabolism, so my natural tendency is to gain weight. Interestingly enough, I have seemed to lose my craving for carbs, my downfall. Compucat
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> hiya > do you have a natural tendency to lose or gain weight? > i have a natural tendency to gain weight and gained a lot on > clomipramine. im interested neurontin doesnt seem to be causing you > weight gain, thats cool 
))) > hugs > m > hi there…. > I am on Gabapentin (Neurontin). If you are taking this mood stabilizer, what > dosage are you on? And do you feel you have gained or lost weight? > I am on 2100 – 2400 mg. per day now and I have lost weight. As a side note, > my doc says he only has experience going as high as 3200 mg. > forgottenmuse, in another post, you said you are not at the full dose your > doc wants you on – what is that full dose? > regards, > Compucat > — > ~~~~~>><:>~~~~~ > iriXx > "you can try the best you can… > you can try the best you can… > …the best you can is good enough" > radiohead: optomistic
Response:
hiya do you have a natural tendency to lose or gain weight? i have a natural tendency to gain weight and gained a lot on clomipramine. im interested neurontin doesnt seem to be causing you weight gain, thats cool ))) hugs m – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > hi there…. > I am on Gabapentin (Neurontin). If you are taking this mood stabilizer, what > dosage are you on? And do you feel you have gained or lost weight? > I am on 2100 – 2400 mg. per day now and I have lost weight. As a side note, > my doc says he only has experience going as high as 3200 mg. > forgottenmuse, in another post, you said you are not at the full dose your > doc wants you on – what is that full dose? > regards, > Compucat
– ~~~~~>><:>~~~~~ iriXx "you can try the best you can… you can try the best you can… …the best you can is good enough" radiohead: optomistic
Response:
Hi Compucat, Good question – I would like to hear what others have to say as well. I would also be interested in hearing how others feel this helps them as far as with mood swings, depression, stress, etc. I started on Neurontin when I was diagnosed bipolar II last October. I started very low because I tend to have side effects easily from most any meds. By December I was at 900mg a day. I saw my pdoc last week and will now start raising it again, but again very slowly. Right now I’m at 1200 mg a day and will go up to 1800 mg a day. He did say I could go even higher if necessary but wants to give this a try first. I am not overweight but I do tend to gain weight fairly easily so that is a concern of mine. Since I have been on it I have not gained or lost weight either one and I have not been dieting or anything like that. I guess I’ll see what happens as I increase the dosage. As far as weight goes I wish that Wellbutrin was helpful to my depression (it is not) because when I was on that I lost weight without even trying. Good to hear from you Compucat, Bonnie
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> hi there…. > I am on Gabapentin (Neurontin). If you are taking this mood stabilizer, what > dosage are you on? And do you feel you have gained or lost weight? > I am on 2100 – 2400 mg. per day now and I have lost weight. As a side note, > my doc says he only has experience going as high as 3200 mg. > forgottenmuse, in another post, you said you are not at the full dose your > doc wants you on – what is that full dose? > regards, > Compucat
Response:
hi there…. I am on Gabapentin (Neurontin). If you are taking this mood stabilizer, what dosage are you on? And do you feel you have gained or lost weight? I am on 2100 – 2400 mg. per day now and I have lost weight. As a side note, my doc says he only has experience going as high as 3200 mg. forgottenmuse, in another post, you said you are not at the full dose your doc wants you on – what is that full dose? regards, Compucat
Response:
January 20, 2002
Question:
hi i’ve been on lithium since 97. initially i had weight gain and problems with my skin, but they have gone away over time (i lost the weight. i’m gaining it back i’m sure because of the geodon)… my only *beef* with it… well two things… it doesn’t work completely for me. lamictal has been a godsend, but the two together aren’t enough. i take 1200mg/day to maintain my 1.0 blood level status on the lithium. like irixx, the tremors drive me nuts. i do a lot of fine art as well. i have a mahlstick to help me out, but i have a tremor all the time. it’s noticable when i pick up a glass or something. i’m taking 20mg/day of indurel and that’s helped the tremors (indurel is a beta blocker–this is a teeny dosage)… drink a lot of water. lex – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Newsgroups: alt.support.depression.manic > hi everyone: > I am bipolar II (have been for what seems like forever) and am currently on > leave from work while I wean off Prozac (I think I am there now) and try > Effexor XR (150 mg. day) and Gabapentin (1400 mg. day). I do feel a slight > improvement, but still seem to be bouncing around between mania and > depression. > Years ago I did try lithium (can’t remember for how long and what the dose > was) and didn’t like it one bit. I felt like a zombie (even took a ride on a > scary rollercoaster and didn’t flinch). My work involves a lot of technical > detail, so I really don’t know if I could go down that road again. I’m not > keen on trying Depakote, due to the weight gain properties. > I’d love to hear your comments on therapy with lithium, good or bad, do the > side effects (zombie feeling) eventually go away or become manageable? Is > there a problem with weight gain? > I know I can check all the side effects on the med websites, but it is far > more revealing to hear it from real people. > hugs and thanks, > Compucat
Response:
> Hi, > It’s the oddest thing. Once when I was a graduate student I was > preparing some lithium doped ceramics. I had kilograms of Lithium Carbonate > sitting in my office. I was undiagnosed then. But how ironic that I was > going up and down and sideways and the treatment was there right under my > nose. I even had a press for making pellets.
What properties did the lithium doping give to the ceramics? Tom
Response:
I have been on lithium for 4 years. I was on 600mg and now I am on 900mg , which is a lower dose than many docs use, but my pdoc has me on both lithium and topamax (100mg) Anyway, mostly I never have had any side effects. I never gained weight on it…never felt like a zombie–though when I started on it I was in a near-catatonic depression, so how would I know–perhaps if I had started out manic I might have noticed that effect. Most every other drug I have been on (like all 22 or so) have made be feel like a zombie (wanna REALLY be a zombie, try zyprexa or haldol or something like that!!–plus I gained 40 pounds in 2 months on zyprexa!) Anyway, lithium works real good for me. cogge`
Response:
Hi Compucat, I am BP I, and have an excellent response to Lithium. I take between 300-900 mg (the lower range as maintenance, higher range when necessary). Side effects have been minimal: Most annoying side effect? skin problems, i.e., my psorasis flares up and becomes untreatable. Weight gain? Yes, but I think mostly due to lack of exercise, not necessarily the lithium. Shaking hands? Yes, they did shake initially, but this went away. Drinking lots of fluids, particularly in the morning, helps immensely. Zombie feeling and dyslexic-like symptoms? Yes, in early stage of treatment. These symptoms eventually cleared up, so now I think it was just the sound of my brain healing. Weirdest side effect? boyfriend complains my skin tastes metallic. p0rtabell0 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > hi everyone: > I am bipolar II (have been for what seems like forever) and am currently on > leave from work while I wean off Prozac (I think I am there now) and try > Effexor XR (150 mg. day) and Gabapentin (1400 mg. day). I do feel a slight > improvement, but still seem to be bouncing around between mania and > depression. > Years ago I did try lithium (can’t remember for how long and what the dose > was) and didn’t like it one bit. I felt like a zombie (even took a ride on a > scary rollercoaster and didn’t flinch). My work involves a lot of technical > detail, so I really don’t know if I could go down that road again. I’m not > keen on trying Depakote, due to the weight gain properties. > I’d love to hear your comments on therapy with lithium, good or bad, do the > side effects (zombie feeling) eventually go away or become manageable? Is > there a problem with weight gain? > I know I can check all the side effects on the med websites, but it is far > more revealing to hear it from real people. > hugs and thanks, > Compucat
Response:
hi all… this is an interesting side thread to my question. I am in Canada. When I took my prescription for Gabapentin to the pharmacy, the pharmacist asked me if it was being prescribed for "pain". Being honest, I didn’t lie, and told her that it was being prescribed for me as a mood stabilizer. I hope my Pdoc, who is newer to Canada, does not get into trouble for this, because he HAS mentioned Topamax to me.I like to think all the avenues of what is out there as meds is open to me. Compucat
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello all, > My former doctor said that Topomax isn’t approved as a mood stabilizer > only as an anti-seizure medication. So she expected that I wouldn’t be able > to get a perscription for it. That sounds really strange to me since Health > Canada tends to follow the FDA quite closely. Does anyone have any thoughts > on this matter. > Peter > TOPOMAX to both questions > >hiya, > >im also curious to know if theres a mood stabiliser that doesnt make you > >feel like a zombie or make you put on weight (i gained a lot of weight > >taking clomipramine a few years back and it depressed me so much cos i > >used to be anorexic (((…) > >i also wondered if anyone’s found a MS that doesnt cause shaky hands? > >if i’m going to go on one… well, shaky hands would ruin my entire > >life, my music and graphic art depend on my fine motor skills… and my > >artistic work is what keeps me going really… is there a way to cope > >with the shaking too?… > >m
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->hiya, >im also curious to know if theres a mood stabiliser that doesnt make you >feel like a zombie or make you put on weight (i gained a lot of weight >taking clomipramine a few years back and it depressed me so much cos i >used to be anorexic (((…) > Neurontin, Topomax, Lamictal. >i also wondered if anyone’s found a MS that doesnt cause shaky hands? >if i’m going to go on one… well, shaky hands would ruin my entire >life, my music and graphic art depend on my fine motor skills… and my >artistic work is what keeps me going really… is there a way to cope >with the shaking too?… > See the above. > Hope that you and your doc can arrive at the best MS for you. > Love, > Lynda
thanks heaps… i will file them and have a read on the web… and have a chat to my p-doc next time i see her ))) (((((((((hugs))))))) m — ~~~~~>><:>~~~~~ iriXx "you can try the best you can… you can try the best you can… …the best you can is good enough" thom yorke / radiohead
Response:
Lithium works well for me, but I have to take 1200mg a day just to maintain a level of 0.6. I seem to clear it well. :) I don’t get shaky unless I’m tired or upset about something. I do have a problem with loose stools, but if I stay off of caffeine they clear up (don’t ask – I have no idea why. <g>). I haven’t gained a lot of weight, but I was heavy to start with. CJ (((((((((still giving out hugs))))))))))
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> hi everyone: > I am bipolar II (have been for what seems like forever) and am currently on > leave from work while I wean off Prozac (I think I am there now) and try > Effexor XR (150 mg. day) and Gabapentin (1400 mg. day). I do feel a slight > improvement, but still seem to be bouncing around between mania and > depression. > Years ago I did try lithium (can’t remember for how long and what the dose > was) and didn’t like it one bit. I felt like a zombie (even took a ride on a > scary rollercoaster and didn’t flinch). My work involves a lot of technical > detail, so I really don’t know if I could go down that road again. I’m not > keen on trying Depakote, due to the weight gain properties. > I’d love to hear your comments on therapy with lithium, good or bad, do the > side effects (zombie feeling) eventually go away or become manageable? Is > there a problem with weight gain? > I know I can check all the side effects on the med websites, but it is far > more revealing to hear it from real people. > hugs and thanks, > Compucat
Response:
Hello all, My former doctor said that Topomax isn’t approved as a mood stabilizer only as an anti-seizure medication. So she expected that I wouldn’t be able to get a perscription for it. That sounds really strange to me since Health Canada tends to follow the FDA quite closely. Does anyone have any thoughts on this matter. Peter
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> TOPOMAX to both questions >hiya, >im also curious to know if theres a mood stabiliser that doesnt make you >feel like a zombie or make you put on weight (i gained a lot of weight >taking clomipramine a few years back and it depressed me so much cos i >used to be anorexic (((…) >i also wondered if anyone’s found a MS that doesnt cause shaky hands? >if i’m going to go on one… well, shaky hands would ruin my entire >life, my music and graphic art depend on my fine motor skills… and my >artistic work is what keeps me going really… is there a way to cope >with the shaking too?… >m
Response:
hmm… im not sure about what to do in canada…. i’ll have to check things in the uk though… thanx ralph, too… (((((((((((((((hugs to yas))))))))))))) m – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hello all, > My former doctor said that Topomax isn’t approved as a mood stabilizer > only as an anti-seizure medication. So she expected that I wouldn’t be able > to get a perscription for it. That sounds really strange to me since Health > Canada tends to follow the FDA quite closely. Does anyone have any thoughts > on this matter. > Peter >TOPOMAX to both questions
– ~~~~~>><:>~~~~~ iriXx "you can try the best you can… you can try the best you can… …the best you can is good enough" thom yorke / radiohead
Response:
Depakote is the only anti-seizure medication that is FDA approved for mania. Psychiatrists in the US frequently prescribe anti-seizure meds "off label." That’s where the prescriptions for Neurontin and Topamax, etc…., come in. CJ (((((((((still handing out hugs))))))))
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello all, > My former doctor said that Topomax isn’t approved as a mood stabilizer > only as an anti-seizure medication. So she expected that I wouldn’t be able > to get a perscription for it. That sounds really strange to me since Health > Canada tends to follow the FDA quite closely. Does anyone have any thoughts > on this matter. > Peter > TOPOMAX to both questions > >hiya, > >im also curious to know if theres a mood stabiliser that doesnt make you > >feel like a zombie or make you put on weight (i gained a lot of weight > >taking clomipramine a few years back and it depressed me so much cos i > >used to be anorexic (((…) > >i also wondered if anyone’s found a MS that doesnt cause shaky hands? > >if i’m going to go on one… well, shaky hands would ruin my entire > >life, my music and graphic art depend on my fine motor skills… and my > >artistic work is what keeps me going really… is there a way to cope > >with the shaking too?… > >m
Response:
Hi CJ, Thanks. I’ll ask the pdoc what he can do. What is the sound of one hand hugging? Peter
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Depakote is the only anti-seizure medication that is FDA approved for mania. > Psychiatrists in the US frequently prescribe anti-seizure meds "off label." > That’s where the prescriptions for Neurontin and Topamax, etc…., come in. > CJ > (((((((((still handing out hugs)))))))) > Hello all, > My former doctor said that Topomax isn’t approved as a mood stabilizer > only as an anti-seizure medication. So she expected that I wouldn’t be > able > to get a perscription for it. That sounds really strange to me since > Health > Canada tends to follow the FDA quite closely. Does anyone have any > thoughts > on this matter. > Peter > > TOPOMAX to both questions > > >hiya, > > >im also curious to know if theres a mood stabiliser that doesnt make > you > > >feel like a zombie or make you put on weight (i gained a lot of weight > > >taking clomipramine a few years back and it depressed me so much cos i > > >used to be anorexic (((…) > > >i also wondered if anyone’s found a MS that doesnt cause shaky hands? > > >if i’m going to go on one… well, shaky hands would ruin my entire > > >life, my music and graphic art depend on my fine motor skills… and my > > >artistic work is what keeps me going really… is there a way to cope > > >with the shaking too?… > > >m
Response:
Hi iriXx, Thanks for your help. It might not be a problem if the pdoc can perscribe it anyway. We’ll see. Peter
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> hmm… im not sure about what to do in canada…. > i’ll have to check things in the uk though… > thanx ralph, too… > (((((((((((((((hugs to yas))))))))))))) > m > Hello all, > My former doctor said that Topomax isn’t approved as a mood stabilizer > only as an anti-seizure medication. So she expected that I wouldn’t be able > to get a perscription for it. That sounds really strange to me since Health > Canada tends to follow the FDA quite closely. Does anyone have any thoughts > on this matter. > Peter >>TOPOMAX to both questions > — > ~~~~~>><:>~~~~~ > iriXx > "you can try the best you can… > you can try the best you can… > …the best you can is good enough" > thom yorke / radiohead
Response:
Hi, It’s the oddest thing. Once when I was a graduate student I was preparing some lithium doped ceramics. I had kilograms of Lithium Carbonate sitting in my office. I was undiagnosed then. But how ironic that I was going up and down and sideways and the treatment was there right under my nose. I even had a press for making pellets. Peter
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> hi everyone: > I am bipolar II (have been for what seems like forever) and am currently on > leave from work while I wean off Prozac (I think I am there now) and try > Effexor XR (150 mg. day) and Gabapentin (1400 mg. day). I do feel a slight > improvement, but still seem to be bouncing around between mania and > depression. > Years ago I did try lithium (can’t remember for how long and what the dose > was) and didn’t like it one bit. I felt like a zombie (even took a ride on a > scary rollercoaster and didn’t flinch). My work involves a lot of technical > detail, so I really don’t know if I could go down that road again. I’m not > keen on trying Depakote, due to the weight gain properties. > I’d love to hear your comments on therapy with lithium, good or bad, do the > side effects (zombie feeling) eventually go away or become manageable? Is > there a problem with weight gain? > I know I can check all the side effects on the med websites, but it is far > more revealing to hear it from real people. > hugs and thanks, > Compucat
Response:
Hu? CJ
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi CJ, > Thanks. I’ll ask the pdoc what he can do. > What is the sound of one hand hugging? > Peter > Depakote is the only anti-seizure medication that is FDA approved for > mania. > Psychiatrists in the US frequently prescribe anti-seizure meds "off > label." > That’s where the prescriptions for Neurontin and Topamax, etc…., come > in. > CJ > (((((((((still handing out hugs)))))))) > > Hello all, > > My former doctor said that Topomax isn’t approved as a mood > stabilizer > > only as an anti-seizure medication. So she expected that I wouldn’t be > able > > to get a perscription for it. That sounds really strange to me since > Health > > Canada tends to follow the FDA quite closely. Does anyone have any > thoughts > > on this matter. > > Peter > > > TOPOMAX to both questions
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > > >hiya, > > > >im also curious to know if theres a mood stabiliser that doesnt make > you > > > >feel like a zombie or make you put on weight (i gained a lot of > weight > > > >taking clomipramine a few years back and it depressed me so much cos > i > > > >used to be anorexic (((…) > > > >i also wondered if anyone’s found a MS that doesnt cause shaky hands? > > > >if i’m going to go on one… well, shaky hands would ruin my entire > > > >life, my music and graphic art depend on my fine motor skills… and > my > > > >artistic work is what keeps me going really… is there a way to cope > > > >with the shaking too?… > > > >m
Response:
> hi everyone: … > I’d love to hear your comments on therapy with lithium, good or bad, do the > side effects (zombie feeling) eventually go away or become manageable? Is > there a problem with weight gain? > I know I can check all the side effects on the med websites, but it is far > more revealing to hear it from real people.
Hi Compucat. I’ve been on lithium since 1990. I also took it off & on in the 80’s (going off it, going manic three times). My own experience of lithium is that it doesn’t make me feel zombified, no weight gain / nausea / headache / hand tremors or anything. It just keeps me from going manic. Your Brain May Vary, as they say. Each period where I was going on (or back on) to lithium, I was in post-mania depression, so it’s possible any ‘zombification’ was mixed in with the depression and passed in the same time-frame (2-3 months). I maintain at a low blood level, 0.5 – 0.6 mmol/litre.
Response:
Well you are *handing* out hugs.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hu? > CJ > Hi CJ, > Thanks. I’ll ask the pdoc what he can do. > What is the sound of one hand hugging? > Peter > > Depakote is the only anti-seizure medication that is FDA approved for > mania. > > Psychiatrists in the US frequently prescribe anti-seizure meds "off > label." > > That’s where the prescriptions for Neurontin and Topamax, etc…., come > in. > > CJ > > (((((((((still handing out hugs)))))))) > > > Hello all, > > > My former doctor said that Topomax isn’t approved as a mood > stabilizer > > > only as an anti-seizure medication. So she expected that I wouldn’t > be > > able > > > to get a perscription for it. That sounds really strange to me since > > Health > > > Canada tends to follow the FDA quite closely. Does anyone have any > > thoughts > > > on this matter. > > > Peter > > > > TOPOMAX to both questions > > > > >hiya, > > > > >im also curious to know if theres a mood stabiliser that doesnt > make > > you > > > > >feel like a zombie or make you put on weight (i gained a lot of > weight > > > > >taking clomipramine a few years back and it depressed me so much > cos > i > > > > >used to be anorexic (((…) > > > > >i also wondered if anyone’s found a MS that doesnt cause shaky > hands? > > > > >if i’m going to go on one… well, shaky hands would ruin my entire > > > > >life, my music and graphic art depend on my fine motor skills… > and > my > > > > >artistic work is what keeps me going really… is there a way to > cope > > > > >with the shaking too?… > > > > >m
Response:
hi everyone: I am bipolar II (have been for what seems like forever) and am currently on leave from work while I wean off Prozac (I think I am there now) and try Effexor XR (150 mg. day) and Gabapentin (1400 mg. day). I do feel a slight improvement, but still seem to be bouncing around between mania and depression. Years ago I did try lithium (can’t remember for how long and what the dose was) and didn’t like it one bit. I felt like a zombie (even took a ride on a scary rollercoaster and didn’t flinch). My work involves a lot of technical detail, so I really don’t know if I could go down that road again. I’m not keen on trying Depakote, due to the weight gain properties. I’d love to hear your comments on therapy with lithium, good or bad, do the side effects (zombie feeling) eventually go away or become manageable? Is there a problem with weight gain? I know I can check all the side effects on the med websites, but it is far more revealing to hear it from real people. hugs and thanks, Compucat
Response:
Hi, Excuse me for my poor English, I’m Dutch. I’m on Lithium for 2.5 years now, and exept from the weight gain, I didn’t have any side effects. On the other hand: Lithium didn’t have any effect at all. So now I’m on depakote and lithium, and the weight gain from depakote is less than from lithium. I think that some part of the weight gain in my case is caused by being depressed, which always makes me eating a lot. Good luck, Marie-Elise – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’d love to hear your comments on therapy with lithium, good or bad, do the > side effects (zombie feeling) eventually go away or become manageable? Is > there a problem with weight gain?
Response:
hiya, im also curious to know if theres a mood stabiliser that doesnt make you feel like a zombie or make you put on weight (i gained a lot of weight taking clomipramine a few years back and it depressed me so much cos i used to be anorexic (((…) i also wondered if anyone’s found a MS that doesnt cause shaky hands? if i’m going to go on one… well, shaky hands would ruin my entire life, my music and graphic art depend on my fine motor skills… and my artistic work is what keeps me going really… is there a way to cope with the shaking too?… m — ~~~~~>><:>~~~~~ iriXx "you can try the best you can… you can try the best you can… …the best you can is good enough" thom yorke / radiohead
Response:
> hiya, > im also curious to know if theres a mood stabiliser that doesnt make you > feel like a zombie or make you put on weight (i gained a lot of weight > taking clomipramine a few years back and it depressed me so much cos i > used to be anorexic (((…)
Neurontin, Topomax, Lamictal. > i also wondered if anyone’s found a MS that doesnt cause shaky hands? > if i’m going to go on one… well, shaky hands would ruin my entire > life, my music and graphic art depend on my fine motor skills… and my > artistic work is what keeps me going really… is there a way to cope > with the shaking too?…
See the above. Hope that you and your doc can arrive at the best MS for you. Love, Lynda
Response:
January 4, 2002
Question:
Hi, question. Im currently on 25-50mg of desipramine. When i increase the dose, i feel an increase in heart rate, energy, and my body feels tingly especially if i run my hand through my hair. Does anyone experience such? geno
Response:
Side effects of desipramine include: Anafranil: desipramine pronounced (dess-ip
September 28, 2001
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