Having issues with a civvie

[Michele and Peeps]

Recently we 'adopted' a stray cat that was starving to death outside of our house for months. Honestly, she's the best cat we have. She is not the 'problem'.

Zoey, who has been with us since 2004, had potty issues in her past. Her first day here, another civvie beat on her and with her pre-existing weirdness (she was beaten as a kitten, etc), she took it badly and marked her territory (but only after she had been spayed a year later). At my wits end, Zoey's vet gave her Prozac. It worked. She didn't care that Buddy looked at her general direction anymore, and the spraying stopped. She also rarely picked on the Peeps. The only reason I took her off of the Prozac, is one X-mas present opening-a-thon, she never woke up. At the time, I thought it was the drugs putting her into a practical coma I had heard was a side effect - previous present openings she had been first in line to rip stuff apart. Now, I'm not so sure it wasn't a mix of her medication AND growing up. She's never really participated with the gusto I remember again after being off Prozac.

Anyways, her potty problems have flared up because of Porch Kitty, but now that Peeps is gone, Zoey doesn't have someone to occasionally pick on so I was woken up this morning with a, "You have to get rid of her."

I don't want that... but I'm worried about the side effects of putting her back on Prozac. The medication worked great within a week, but it changed her. It's been so long since she has been on it, I wonder if her age will affect the drug - meaning since she's pretty much an elder now - will it help without putting her into a zombie state.

At this point in time I cannot afford to try cheaper and more readily available remedies to get her to stop. I tried Anti-Icky-Poo, but after $25 and getting her to stop peeing on my carpet, she's just moved back to other places. Prozac would be cheaper than the fees for this product.

Because of Zoey's history with the meds... Should I talk to the vet about starting a very, very low dosage and build up until the potty problems are gone? Or should I start at the recommended doses to get the behavior I need right away but reduce later to balance side effects? I really don't know how much time I have with the whole "get rid of her" thing.

 

[Teresa and Poopy]

Michele,

That's a tough one. Have you talked with the vet yet, to see what they recommend? I have no doubt your input about Zoey's past behavior will help them determine dose, and couldn't you adjust from there?

:YMHUG:

 

[owlgal]

Is zoey a sugar cat? Maybe she should have some bloodwork done first to determine if there is anything medically wrong first before the medication. I have a cat that was backing up on the walls and the whole time he had anal gland issues. Once i resolved that problem, the peeing on walls stopped.

Good luck! I know this is a worry for you.

lori

 

[Michele and Peeps]

She has been into the vet many times for these issues. I can't remember if they've done blood work, but she's never had a bladder infection when this stuff goes on. She is kind of mental... but every time I've sporadically checked her BG, she was fine.

I haven't spoken to the vet yet. I've been running around for over a week now without a break, and that will continue for another 2 weeks. We've decided to start regularly dosing her with a medicine that seemed to help but is over the counter. I really don't know how long this will last as it's a powder medication, and it takes two people to do it. It's not common that two people are around at the same time when dosing is feasible. I've been trying to brainstorm a solution, but noting seems too feasible at this point.