At wit's end-need advice for fighting cats

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe something happened during the operation that gave her some brain damage or something

I do not think this is the case. From what I have learned, it is just very common for pets to act weird after having been under anesthesia. (Think of it, people act "off" after they have been under anesthesia at first too! It takes at least a few hours or so to get back to reality!) Then, what happens, is the other resident cats sense it, and that sets off a pattern of strange behavior (like the OP is seeing) that lasts FAR FAR longer than when the anesthesia effects have worn out. . . .

Cats are SO susceptible to little changes and stresses like this. . . .sometimes we wish our cats were not so darned sensitive to things liek this too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe there was a reason they were trying to be drowned, demonic possesion or mental defect

IGNORE.

[Anonymous]

OP, did you say you have tried Prozac? And cats would not take it? Did you put it in Pill Pockets so they think it is a treat? This works for ours.

http://www.amazon.com/Greenies-Pill-Pockets-Chicken-Capsules/dp/B001BSBFUO/ref=sr_1_1/175-8582339-6034922?ie=UTF8&qid=1372703648&sr=8-1&keywords=pill+pockets

(note they make these for dogs too; if you go this route, make sure you get the cat ones)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, did you say you have tried Prozac? And cats would not take it? Did you put it in Pill Pockets so they think it is a treat? This works for ours.

http://www.amazon.com/Greenies-Pill-Pockets-Chicken-Capsules/dp/B001BSBFUO/ref=sr_1_1/175-8582339-6034922?ie=UTF8&qid=1372703648&sr=8-1&keywords=pill+pockets

(note they make these for dogs too; if you go this route, make sure you get the cat ones)

OP here--I can't remember which drug it was (generic form of an anti-anxiety med). We tried everything to get them to take it. Put it in their food, used pill pockets, just tried getting it in their mouths some way, some how and as I said, it resulted in all out rejection. DH is calling the vet to see if there is an alternative--maybe a liquid? I don't know if that exists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, did you say you have tried Prozac? And cats would not take it? Did you put it in Pill Pockets so they think it is a treat? This works for ours.

http://www.amazon.com/Greenies-Pill-Pockets-Chicken-Capsules/dp/B001BSBFUO/ref=sr_1_1/175-8582339-6034922?ie=UTF8&qid=1372703648&sr=8-1&keywords=pill+pockets

(note they make these for dogs too; if you go this route, make sure you get the cat ones)

OP here--I can't remember which drug it was (generic form of an anti-anxiety med). We tried everything to get them to take it. Put it in their food, used pill pockets, just tried getting it in their mouths some way, some how and as I said, it resulted in all out rejection. DH is calling the vet to see if there is an alternative--maybe a liquid? I don't know if that exists.

I think they CAN get it in a liquid form. And, I think there are pharmacies who can compound it to different flavors that are appealing to animals, flavors that you yourself can pick: chicken? lamb? etc etc etc. See 3rd para in this article at the link below. Maybe ask your vet about this! http://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/article/How-to-get-a-cat-to-take-its-meds-3213544.php

[Anonymous]

Looks like maybe Walgreen's can do it? http://www.walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy/pet-medication-compounding.jsp

Here's another company that does compounding for pets? http://www.nyccompoundingpharmacy.com/pet-meds.html

And more info on compounding for cats?

http://www.petplace.com/cats/compounding-for-cats/page1.aspx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, did you say you have tried Prozac? And cats would not take it? Did you put it in Pill Pockets so they think it is a treat? This works for ours.

http://www.amazon.com/Greenies-Pill-Pockets-Chicken-Capsules/dp/B001BSBFUO/ref=sr_1_1/175-8582339-6034922?ie=UTF8&qid=1372703648&sr=8-1&keywords=pill+pockets

(note they make these for dogs too; if you go this route, make sure you get the cat ones)

OP here--I can't remember which drug it was (generic form of an anti-anxiety med). We tried everything to get them to take it. Put it in their food, used pill pockets, just tried getting it in their mouths some way, some how and as I said, it resulted in all out rejection. DH is calling the vet to see if there is an alternative--maybe a liquid? I don't know if that exists.

I think they CAN get it in a liquid form. And, I think there are pharmacies who can compound it to different flavors that are appealing to animals, flavors that you yourself can pick: chicken? lamb? etc etc etc. See 3rd para in this article at the link below. Maybe ask your vet about this! http://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/article/How-to-get-a-cat-to-take-its-meds-3213544.php

Thanks! I thought I had researched this topic to death and I had never heard of this! I hope this is our answer!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, did you say you have tried Prozac? And cats would not take it? Did you put it in Pill Pockets so they think it is a treat? This works for ours.

http://www.amazon.com/Greenies-Pill-Pockets-Chicken-Capsules/dp/B001BSBFUO/ref=sr_1_1/175-8582339-6034922?ie=UTF8&qid=1372703648&sr=8-1&keywords=pill+pockets

(note they make these for dogs too; if you go this route, make sure you get the cat ones)

OP here--I can't remember which drug it was (generic form of an anti-anxiety med). We tried everything to get them to take it. Put it in their food, used pill pockets, just tried getting it in their mouths some way, some how and as I said, it resulted in all out rejection. DH is calling the vet to see if there is an alternative--maybe a liquid? I don't know if that exists.

I think they CAN get it in a liquid form. And, I think there are pharmacies who can compound it to different flavors that are appealing to animals, flavors that you yourself can pick: chicken? lamb? etc etc etc. See 3rd para in this article at the link below. Maybe ask your vet about this! http://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/article/How-to-get-a-cat-to-take-its-meds-3213544.php

Thanks! I thought I had researched this topic to death and I had never heard of this! I hope this is our answer!

You are welcome! You never know! I too hope this is "it" for you but, gosh, with cats, you never can tell. Your mama cat though sounds super sweet so good job on keeping at it for so long. I am sure it is very stressful at your house. Good luck!

PS I didn't even see this part the first time I read the article at that link, but I guess there are two other possible options too...

"Some medications can also be made into a chewable, flavored treat. Compounding pharmacies are available throughout the Bay Area. Ask your veterinarian if this is an option the next time a medication is prescribed.

"Compounding pharmacies can also put some medications in gels or patches where the drug is absorbed transdermally (through the skin or ear flap). This route is not available for all medications, and the dose actually absorbed can vary depending on ambient temperature or blood flow to the skin; however, it's a nice option for many patients."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looks like maybe Walgreen's can do it? http://www.walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy/pet-medication-compounding.jsp

Here's another company that does compounding for pets? http://www.nyccompoundingpharmacy.com/pet-meds.html

And more info on compounding for cats?

http://www.petplace.com/cats/compounding-for-cats/page1.aspx

Brilliant! I just looked it up and of course the closest Walgreens to our house that compounds for pets is 21 miles away haha. Oh well. Small price to pay in the grand scheme of things. Thanks for your recommendation!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe there was a reason they were trying to be drowned, demonic possesion or mental defect

Maybe you should get a job so you can move out of your moms basement.... weirdo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like maybe Walgreen's can do it? http://www.walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy/pet-medication-compounding.jsp

Here's another company that does compounding for pets? http://www.nyccompoundingpharmacy.com/pet-meds.html

And more info on compounding for cats?

http://www.petplace.com/cats/compounding-for-cats/page1.aspx

Brilliant! I just looked it up and of course the closest Walgreens to our house that compounds for pets is 21 miles away haha. Oh well. Small price to pay in the grand scheme of things. Thanks for your recommendation!

Let's just hope it works!! EEK! Good luck!! Keep us posted, if you feel like it!

[Anonymous]

It does sound like a power play. Maybe mama cat was the alpha cat while she was home, but with her absence, the youngster decided to be alpha. When mama came back, she didn't want to play beta. I think their squabbles could be power plays by the youngster, and mama doesn't want to play beta either. We brought a second cat into our home, and our previously sweet, lovable cat became unbearable, and would attack the other cat. We questioned her breeder, and she said the newcomer had to be beta if we wanted the fighting to stop. We ended up having to separate them. They just couldn't be together.

[Anonymous]

Our cats act strangely after one goes to the vet while the other is home.

Do you break up the fights? I throw a blanket or large towel over the aggressor to stop the fight then isolate to help the cat calm down. After doing this technique, the fights slowly reduced in number and intensity (years, seriously). Agree with letting the cats out, even on a leash with you, DH and/or DC. They need the outside.

Also, if you feel they are credible, you might try an animal communicator. We've used one for years and she is much better on behavioral issues than the vet or behavioral vet. Also, homeopathy and acupuncture can help.

[Anonymous]

Given that the problem started when the mama cat had her teeth cleaned and returned smelling different, I have a sort of bizarre suggestion that might be worth a shot.

Once I watched a show where they showed how at the zoo, when they needed to treat the meerkats (different than cats, I know, but keep reading) at the vet. When they were done, they would spray them all with perfume. That way, there wouldn't be problems when they were all reunited (because different smells throw off how they relate to each other).

Maybe separate all three cats for a couple days. Then gradually introduce them, but just spritz them and their areas with perfume. It might help to reboot the social ordering, dynamic.

You can't just separate out the mama and reintroduce, you need to put all three of them in isolation for a day, with their own boxes. And then reintroduce (so that it isn't like it's the mama trying to break into an already established social order between the other two).

So a couple days with each cat alone. Then reintroduce in a neutral zone that has been sprayed with perfume.