? Thoughts on amitriptyline

[Rachel]

Long story short. My cat Elektra (civvie) has had recurrent UTIs. Had 2 in the last 2 months and has had several before now. Took her to the vet yesterday and said "do every test you can" so we could stop them.

Well they did tons of tests (radiograph, ultrasound, in house urinalysis, sent urine for both an out of house urinalysis AND a culture and sensitivity) and said...she's in great health. They only saw a tiny bit of bacteria and said it was probably because the urine sample was free catch (they tried hard to get the cystocentesis but she didn't cooperate). So basically, they now say that they can assure me it isn't a health issue. It appears to be inflammation due to stress. I have her on Onsior for the next few days and they gave me a glucosamine gel (haven't tried that yet as it should be given with a meal apparently). Waiting for the results of the C&S and urinalysis and then we'll go from there. They said possibly she will need anti-psychotics to chill her out (amitriptyline?). They suggested that before and I rejected it, but it may be our only option now.

They pretty much said that if we can get her that it might be enough to keep her calm and happy so we don't have this issue anymore...and if we do, to call them and they can go from there. Possibly a steroid shot or another medication....but shouldn't always have to bring her in.

So in the end, we have no DEFINITIVE answer, but we have no medical issues for sure (pending results of the urninalysis and C&S).

My question....anyone used this medicine before? Thoughts?

 

[Critter Mom]

Hi Rachel,

Have replied on your thread in the Prozinc forum.




Mogs
.

 

[Critter Mom]

Amytriptyline is one of the old-style tricyclic antidepressants. It is sometimes used to manage pain associated with chronic conditions. It can react with other meds adversely (watch out for combos which have the potential to produce serotonin syndrome). Here are some links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amitriptyline

https://www.drugs.com/sfx/amitriptyline-side-effects.html

http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/drugs/amitriptyline/what-it-is.aspx

Hope the above is helpful.




Mogs
.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amitriptyline

 

[jayla-n-Drevon]

I don't know of any cats who have used it for this condition but I do know of a dog that it worked pretty well for....
good luck!
Have you ever considered flower essences?
Here is a link to a very good company--I would call and talk to Meg about the specific issue and she can probably help you....
http://www.blackwingfarms.com

 

[Squalliesmom]

I wasn't even aware they gave this to cats. My doctor prescribed it for me for about a month, for neuropathy and insomnia, and had to take me off it because it made my heart race really badly. It also caused tremors and a type of mild seizure-like reaction in me, along with constipation. Glad they took me off of it! However, there's no guarantee it would have any of these side-affects in your Elektra.

 

[Sandi and Toby]

Me and my cat have both been taking it for about a decade

I take it for Restless Legs Syndrome, and my civvie Homer takes it for urination outside the box. We went through all the tests *repeatedly*, for years to be sure that we were ruling out infections and/or interstitial cystitis.

It works really well for Homer for this purpose. Our vet prescribed it because he said that it was less sedating than Prozac.

In our case, Homer does not have to take it all the time -- I still want to give him as little as possible. But when he starts peeing in the house, he gets 1/2 tablet once every day, and when he finally stops "redecorating" then I go to every second or third day, and then I stop totally. We seem to be able to "break the cycle" this way and then can go weeks or even months without it.

Homer is absolutely a very anxious cat all the way around, and this seems to really help him chill without making him a zombie. (Btw for Homer we did also try a thunder shirt, Feliway, Rescue Remedy, litter change, etc before resulting to drugs after none of that helped him). I've not noticed any negative side effects in Homer, or myself.

I hope that helps!
Sandi.

 

[Squalliesmom]

Me and my cat have both been taking it for about a decade

I take it for Restless Legs Syndrome, and my civvie Homer takes it for urination outside the box. We went through all the tests *repeatedly*, for years to be sure that we were ruling out infections and/or interstitial cystitis.

It works really well for Homer for this purpose. Our vet prescribed it because he said that it was less sedating than Prozac.

In our case, Homer does not have to take it all the time -- I still want to give him as little as possible. But when he starts peeing in the house, he gets 1/2 tablet once every day, and when he finally stops "redecorating" then I go to every second or third day, and then I stop totally. We seem to be able to "break the cycle" this way and then can go weeks or even months without it.

Homer is absolutely a very anxious cat all the way around, and this seems to really help him chill without making him a zombie. (Btw for Homer we did also try a thunder shirt, Feliway, Rescue Remedy, litter change, etc before resulting to drugs after none of that helped him). I've not noticed any negative side effects in Homer, or myself.

I hope that helps!
Sandi.

That's really good to know! I have a "redecorator", too, any stress sets him off, and I really hated to go the Prozac route. I will ask my vet about amytriptyline for him.