Calming drugs

"Cheryl" wrote in message
...
Shamrock has been obnoxious since day one. A foster cat, a biter,
unadoptable so I kept him. Shadow got sick, had a feeding tube, didn't
eat on his own for ~3 months. (6 weeks of force feeding before the
feeding tube, 5 weeks with the feeding tube, felt better and ate). When
Shadow got sick, he also contracted FeLV from a blood transfusion so
whether or not to rehome Shamrock (who I had already decided to keep)
wasn't really possible (exposed to FeLV) so he gets vaccinated and we
make the most of it. Several months later, my son gets killed in a car
accident, then along comes a feral cat (probably born right around the
time of the accident), small girl actually, probably 4-5 months old. So
here is me, terminally sick cat, love of my life gone, small scared feral
cat needing a home, biter of a cat who I also adore, and if you read the
middle part of this sentence, I'd say I'm doing pretty damned good.
Vibes? Perhaps. Obnoxious? No, I think you are probably a newbie to
Usenet. Picking up vibes is where your cat (or any pet) comes to comfort
you when you can't stop crying. Shadow is a cat like that. I wish they
could live in harmony, but they can't.
Cheryl

I spoke with my animal behaviorist friend and his wife the Vet. They
recommend putting him on kitty prozac. They said it is important to do
blood work on him beforehand and then keep checking it occasionally to make
sure the kidneys and liver are functioning correctly.

They told me that there are new more specific behavioral modifiers coming
down the pike, but they are only in the clinical trial stage right now. If
you have a Veterinary teaching hospital nearby you might be able top get
Shamrock into one of those trials. For now kitty prozac is the best they
can offer.

I also have a friend on the staff at McLain Hospital. She recommended that
a lot of people who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one find
solace by going to weekly group meetings with other who have experienced a
similar loss. I hope this helps.

In "The Cat Who Cried for Help", the author mentions using buspirone (sp?)
frequently for behavioral issues. Also in the book, there is a situtation
where a cat suddenly starts terrorizing the other cat for no reason, and
they end up reintroducing the obnoxious cat like he's new. Separate rooms,
all that stuff. You could also try Rescue Remedy for Shamrock. I bet he's
extra obnoxious because of his allergies. He's not feeling well, and
expresses it through being a PITA.
Good luck, I hope Shamrock calms down.

--
-Kelly
kelly at farringtons dot net
Check out www.snittens.com

"Cheryl" wrote in message
...
I don't want to think this but I really think it is time for drugs for
Shamrock. He is just the most obnoxious cat and I don't know what to do.
Shadow spends all the time that I'm home terrified of him, so he sticks
close to me. (they are separated when I'm at work) If he doesn't, he gets
backed into the corner and tries to hiss to get him to back off. He chases
him to the litter box, and poor Shadow sits in the box until I come rescue
him. Now he relentlessly chases Bonnie, and while she didn't used to seem
to mind and enjoyed these games, she doesn't seem to enjoy it anymore. He
won't let up. He has her on the run CONSTANTLY and it must tire her out
more than what is usual. Shamrock has allergies so is at the vet on
average
about 4-5 times per year so his vet knows him well and checks him over
every time. The only time I mentioned how horrid he is to Shadow, she
suggested it could be strange cats outside and that certaintly was true,
as
I was feeding strays. I don't now (my neighbor is instead) and I haven't
seen any of them hanging out here. This was months ago. All I know is
that
Shamrock is just obnoxious. What sort of calming drugs are there for cats
with behavioral issues that can't be controlled in the usual manner? I
keep 2 feliway diffusers at all times.

--
Cheryl

In "The Cat Who Cried for Help", the author mentions using buspirone (sp?)
frequently for behavioral issues. Also in the book, there is a situtation
where a cat suddenly starts terrorizing the other cat for no reason, and
they end up reintroducing the obnoxious cat like he's new. Separate rooms,
all that stuff. You could also try Rescue Remedy for Shamrock. I bet he's
extra obnoxious because of his allergies. He's not feeling well, and
expresses it through being a PITA.
Good luck, I hope Shamrock calms down.

--
-Kelly
kelly at farringtons dot net
Check out www.snittens.com

"Cheryl" wrote in message
...
I don't want to think this but I really think it is time for drugs for
Shamrock. He is just the most obnoxious cat and I don't know what to do.
Shadow spends all the time that I'm home terrified of him, so he sticks
close to me. (they are separated when I'm at work) If he doesn't, he gets
backed into the corner and tries to hiss to get him to back off. He chases
him to the litter box, and poor Shadow sits in the box until I come rescue
him. Now he relentlessly chases Bonnie, and while she didn't used to seem
to mind and enjoyed these games, she doesn't seem to enjoy it anymore. He
won't let up. He has her on the run CONSTANTLY and it must tire her out
more than what is usual. Shamrock has allergies so is at the vet on
average
about 4-5 times per year so his vet knows him well and checks him over
every time. The only time I mentioned how horrid he is to Shadow, she
suggested it could be strange cats outside and that certaintly was true,
as
I was feeding strays. I don't now (my neighbor is instead) and I haven't
seen any of them hanging out here. This was months ago. All I know is
that
Shamrock is just obnoxious. What sort of calming drugs are there for cats
with behavioral issues that can't be controlled in the usual manner? I
keep 2 feliway diffusers at all times.

--
Cheryl

"Cheryl" wrote in message

I don't want to think this but I really think it is time for drugs
for Shamrock.

Hi Cheryl,
Have you tried things like Rescue Remedy? I know you're using Feliway. Has it
had any effect? Also, what about expanding the cats' territory by way of a
floor to ceiling cat tree? Lastly, have you tried time outs when Shamrock gets
antsy?

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

"Cheryl" wrote in message

I don't want to think this but I really think it is time for drugs
for Shamrock.

Hi Cheryl,
Have you tried things like Rescue Remedy? I know you're using Feliway. Has it
had any effect? Also, what about expanding the cats' territory by way of a
floor to ceiling cat tree? Lastly, have you tried time outs when Shamrock gets
antsy?

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

From: "Mary"

Alison, this is exactly what I heard about. It is an SSRI or selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor that causes seratonin, one of the brain's
natural tranquilizers to pool in the brain. It causes a feeling of well
being in humans and I guess in cats. And it is more energizing than
sedating, from what I understand.

I googled for Colicalm but couldn't find anything about it. I did come across
this but I would recommend checking it out with the vet:

http://www.adhd-becalmd.com/serotonin/

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

From: "Mary"

Alison, this is exactly what I heard about. It is an SSRI or selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor that causes seratonin, one of the brain's
natural tranquilizers to pool in the brain. It causes a feeling of well
being in humans and I guess in cats. And it is more energizing than
sedating, from what I understand.

I googled for Colicalm but couldn't find anything about it. I did come across
this but I would recommend checking it out with the vet:

http://www.adhd-becalmd.com/serotonin/

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

Sorry, it was Clomicalm (doh!)from Clomipramine hydrochloride.
Alison

"PawsForThought" wrote in message
...
From: "Mary"

Alison, this is exactly what I heard about. It is an SSRI or
selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor that causes seratonin, one of the
brain's
natural tranquilizers to pool in the brain. It causes a feeling of
well
being in humans and I guess in cats. And it is more energizing than
sedating, from what I understand.

I googled for Colicalm but couldn't find anything about it. I did
come across
this but I would recommend checking it out with the vet:

http://www.adhd-becalmd.com/serotonin/

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

Sorry, it was Clomicalm (doh!)from Clomipramine hydrochloride.
Alison

"PawsForThought" wrote in message
...
From: "Mary"

Alison, this is exactly what I heard about. It is an SSRI or
selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor that causes seratonin, one of the
brain's
natural tranquilizers to pool in the brain. It causes a feeling of
well
being in humans and I guess in cats. And it is more energizing than
sedating, from what I understand.

I googled for Colicalm but couldn't find anything about it. I did
come across
this but I would recommend checking it out with the vet:

http://www.adhd-becalmd.com/serotonin/

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

"Mary" wrote in message
m...


Alison, this is exactly what I heard about. It is an SSRI or
selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor that causes seratonin, one of the
brain's
natural tranquilizers to pool in the brain. It causes a feeling of
well
being in humans and I guess in cats. And it is more energizing than
sedating, from what I understand.

That's exactly it. Thanks. this is why cats and dogs chew things
and repeatedly lick or chew (although the latter can be due to
allergies) themselves when distressed as it releases the seratonin and
helps relieve anxiety.
Alison