Shall I put my cat on Prozac.?

Question

We have posted a question a few days ago regarding a problem we have with our cat urinating all over the house:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjS5a7oqQq8CfxynZHzmOsDsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080824013108AAyQL2y

Following the advices given, we have taken the cat to the Vet who has made further tests to make sure he had no allergies or infection and that the neutering went well.

Apparently the cat's health is fine but he seems to have a behavioral problem and the Vet found him very anxious.

The solution he gave us was to close the cat in a confined area (the bathroom) for 15 days with his food on one side and the litter box on the other then put several litter boxes all around the house for a further 3 months.

However he also prescribed him with 4 months of daily Prozac.

Has anyone done that before with their cat? Did it resolve the problem?

Answer 1

Well, he was neutered before sexual maturity, so it is behavioral.  Kitty Prozac has been prescribed for anxious cats, but I would suggest looking into Rescue Remedy before hitting the 'big stuff'.  I have provided a link.

Taking him to the vet for a health assessment was the first step in trying to sort out the problem.

Confining him is normally an appropriate step, but I would be concerned if this could increase his level of stress.  That can result in urinary infections and stone formation.  I guess it would all depend on the size of the bathroom, and if there is a window to look out.

You need to make sure all areas and items he has urinated on are thoroughly cleaned, free of any urine scent.  For clothes, if they are safe, a washing with a cup of white vinegar, followed by a regular washing cycle normally removes all traces.

Answer 2

I've never given my cats antidepressants, but I've heard of the practice. Despite the differences between human and animal brain physiology and chemistry, theoretically it could have a positive effect. I would recommend getting a second vet's opinion before you start though, to really alleviate any fence-sitting or doubts you may have. I googled "pets on prozac" and got these sites, which may or may not be helpful:

http://neurophilosophy.wordpress.com/200...

http://chriscarlisle.net/ds/?p=117

http://ask.metafilter.com/36293/Help-me-...

Answer 3

why is your cat depressed? I think its too long for him to have that kind of medicine....but i guess your vet is just do exactly what he had examine to your cat. Just observe your cat what is up too, anyway pets are easily to handle when they need attention from their best pals.

Answer 4

NNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... no

Answer 5

I wouldn't.  I too would look at other solutions before drugging him.  Rescue Remedy or another Bach flower essence can be tried, or you can look into Feliway by Comfort Zone.  I have not personally used it for this reason, but others swear by it.

Answer 6

i worked for an animal hospital for 2 years and never ever did I hear of putting them on somthing like that that seems wrong. NOOOO take him off of that its not even good for hunmans to really take that let alone an animal!.

Answer 7

I don't have first hand experience of this but a friend of mine who has 4 cats was given prozac for one of her cats that was peeing everywhere.  She said it worked to a point - her cat wasn't really her cat anymore.  The prozac seemed to dull the personality of the cat - sorry if that doesn't make sense!  However, it did help.

The way I see it is this:  if you were anxious/depressed and the doctor gave you prozac to take while you took steps to make your environment an easier place to live, would you take the prozac?  If the answer is yes, then maybe you should trust your vet's judgement?

Personally, I don't really see the problem if it's for the short term.  The steps the vet is asking you to take is to help your kitty feel more secure in his environment and hopefully, stop the inappropriate behaviour.