My Cat is on Fish-Flavored Prozac ... Who Knew??
My beautiful Tater; hope the Prozac helps!
December 1, 2009 -
Kim N., PetSmart Charities
www.petsmartcharities.org
Here’s something you don’t hear every day: I’m heading over to the pharmacy to pick up a six-month supply of liquid, fish-flavored Prozac.
Not for me, mind you (mine would be martini-flavored and come with an olive). It’s for my beloved kitty Tater who, it seems, is battling a feline form of depression.
Tater is my magnificent, fluffy tuxedo cat. I rescued him about 12 years ago from horrific conditions. He was an orphaned newborn -- the only survivor of a terrible cat-hoarding situation. There he was, ice cold and struggling to live, as he rested in the palm of my hand just moments after being rescued. His eyes and ears were not yet open and his umbilical cord was still attached. I knew that the odds of him surviving even if I bottle-fed him were slim at best, yet I took on the role of mother cat … and somehow succeeded.
Tater’s kitten-hood was rocky. He nearly died three times during the first four weeks. We always managed to get him back – and each time, I thanked my lucky stars for another day with such a special little kitty. To say I’d become “attached” to him was an understatement; happily, the feeling was mutual. Tater imprinted on me. I’m the only mother figure he’s ever known.
That was all fine and good until I realized that he wanted to be an only child.
Seven years ago when I came home from the hospital with my human son, Tater was none too pleased. And to this day, it doesn’t matter how much I fuss and dote over him. He hasn’t forgiven me. Mind you, he isn’t bothered by any of the other cats or my husband. His negative energy is focused on my son, or on my son and I if we’re doing something fun together.
Long story short, Tater’s unhappiness has intensified over the years. These days, he is resorting to the most tried-and-true of cat weapons: inappropriate elimination. That’s the super-nice way of saying he will pee, or worse, outside of the litterbox. I’ve found the evidence here and there, disinfecting as I go, and discovering that one can never buy too much distilled white vinegar and bleach.
As every good veterinarian will advise, step one in overcoming this problem is making sure that kitty is not physically sick. Kidney disease or another internal ailment can be the culprit in some cases. Not ours. Last week, Tate spent a full day with his veterinarian, undergoing tests and blood draws for expert analysis. I’m happy to know that he is in spectacular physical health.
Hence, the liquid fish-flavored Prozac. I plan to give him extra doses of love and affection as well, with hopes that his troubled mind will ease and he’ll remember how truly special he is to me.
I’m told that it can take several days (even up to three weeks) for the medicine to take effect. I’ll keep you posted on our progress. In the meantime, keep your fingers crossed … and if you’ve had an experience with a cat on Prozac and would like to share it, please do. I’d love to hear about how others have dealt with this type of situation.
Comments
17 Dec 2009 4:17 pm
miniandme said:
I had a cat just like yours, only he was skinny and all black, he was my out-door cat. Oh my gosh, hope sad. I hope Tater feels better soon.
Good luck.
09 Dec 2009 10:34 pm
Bamcat said:
My fourteen year old cat, Natasha and my other cat, Alex(7)are both on Prozac.He started attacking her and she went into hiding. She hid under my bed and would not come out. She is so afraid of him that she stayed under the bed for couple of months and came out only to eat and go to the litter. She started peeing and pooping in the bath tub. Alex just wants to play but he is rough. I brought her to the vet and spent quite a bit to check everything out.
She was so depressed that she would face the wall. The Prozac (fluortine) takes time but it works. After one month, she would come out to stay under my night stand. Then, after another month, she would come up on my bed.
She will not leave the room unless Alex is on the porch behind a door.
She howls and hisses when she sees him. I started her on Prozac in June and she is so friendly with me. She loves sleeping on the pillow next to me.
In time, she may get over her anxiety about Alex but meanwhile, she is back to eating better. I see my old Natasha who was a loving cat. Remember, it will take time and you have to be patient. I couldn't believe how long it took her to relax. She no longer goes under the bed and will stay on my bed happily. Good luck. Bamcat.
You must be a registered user to post comments.
Sign up › or Sign In ›