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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / August 2004Clomicalm for fighting cats?
My two cats, who have lived together for 6 years, started fighting 2 months ago (we don't know why). We kept them separated, tried to re-introduce them, but nothing works. Basically, the male cat is stalking the female and doesn't let her move around the house. (Both are neutered.) 3 weeks ago, they were put on amytrytaline (Elavil), which is a tricyclic. It's not working, so the vet suggested Clomicalm as another option. Do you have any experience using Clomicalm for fighting cats? Is there anything that might work better? Gianna > My two cats, who have lived together for 6 years, started fighting 2 > months ago (we don't know why). We kept them separated, tried to [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Gianna I get the feeling there is more to this story. Can you tell us more about their circumstances? Actually, there's not much more--perhaps you have sensed my desperation... They lived in peace for a long time. One early morning, we heard a great noise--it was them fighting downstairs. I've consulted with a behaviorist and the suggestions didn't help. We keep them separated. When they are not separated, the male cat is OK as long as the "victim" is not moving. When she makes a step, he rushes toward her. I have been able, so far at least, to stop the fight by yelling or spraying them with water so they haven't been seriously injured. Ironically, so far, if somebody gets injured is the attacker. The Elavil makes them sleepy, but it doesn't change the pattern. I love both cats like children and it will break my heart if I had to give up one of them. They are both cuddly and trying to please us, but they can't stand each other. Since the Elavil didn't work great, the vet suggested Clomicalm but I read that it worked better for dogs than cats so I was hoping to hear people's experiences with this drug for cat aggression. > > My two cats, who have lived together for 6 years, started fighting 2 > > months ago (we don't know why). We kept them separated, tried to [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > I get the feeling there is more to this story. Can you tell us more about > their circumstances? > Actually, there's not much more--perhaps you have sensed my desperation... > > They lived in peace for a long time. One early morning, we heard a great noise--it was them fighting downstairs. You must have missed the precipitating event. Something had to happen. [...] > I love both cats like children and it will break my heart if I had to up one of them. This is not going to happen. How long since the change? > Since the Elavil didn't work great, the vet suggested Clomicalm but I read that it worked better for dogs than cats so I was hoping to hear people's experiences with this drug for cat aggression. I'm sure someone will speak up. Meanwhile, I want to know how long it has been since the change, and how long before they were medicated, and what you tried with regard to the behavioral suggestions. >From: gianna_p_v@yahoo.com (Gianna) >Since the Elavil didn't work great, the vet suggested Clomicalm but I >read that it worked better for dogs than cats so I was hoping to hear >people's experiences with this drug for cat aggression. I would seriously consider a different behaviorist. IMO, drugging the cats isn't the answer. Good luck, Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm Actually, there's not much more--perhaps you have sensed my desperation... They lived in peace for a long time. One early morning, we heard a great noise--it was them fighting downstairs. I've consulted with a behaviorist and the suggestions didn't help. We keep them separated. When they are not separated, the male cat is OK as long as the "victim" is not moving. When she makes a step, he rushes toward her. I have been able, so far at least, to stop the fight by yelling or spraying them with water so they haven't been seriously injured. Ironically, so far, if somebody gets injured is the attacker. The Elavil makes them sleepy, but it doesn't change the pattern. I love both cats like children and it will break my heart if I had to give up one of them. They are both cuddly and trying to please us, but they can't stand each other. Since the Elavil didn't work great, the vet suggested Clomicalm but I read that it worked better for dogs than cats so I was hoping to hear people's experiences with this drug for cat aggression. > > My two cats, who have lived together for 6 years, started fighting 2 > > months ago (we don't know why). We kept them separated, tried to [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > I get the feeling there is more to this story. Can you tell us more about > their circumstances? > My two cats, who have lived together for 6 years, started fighting 2 > months ago (we don't know why). We kept them separated, tried to [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Gianna Hi Gianna, When cats fall out it can take a while for the relationship to get back on an even keel. It might be your male cat saw another cat outside and this triggered him to attack your female cat, (redirected aggression). Whatever the reason, unfortunately by spraying with water and shouting when the male attacked, you've reinforced all the negative feelings he has towards her and he associates her with unpleasant things. I think the vet put them on drugs too soon without trying the right techniques and giving them enough time to resolve the problem. There's some advice from Pam Johnson Bennet about reintroducing cats at http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ptthinkcat/?msg=14085.1 HTH Alison -> My two cats, who have lived together for 6 years, started fighting 2 -> months ago (we don't know why). We kept them separated, tried to -> re-introduce them, but nothing works. Basically, the male cat is -> stalking the female and doesn't let her move around the house. (Both -> are neutered.) -> -> 3 weeks ago, they were put on amytrytaline (Elavil), which is a -> tricyclic. It's not working, so the vet suggested Clomicalm as another -> option. Do you have any experience using Clomicalm for fighting cats? -> Is there anything that might work better? Have you tried Feliway?  Signature8^)~~~ Sue (remove the x to e-mail) ~~~~~~ "I reserve the absolute right to be smarter today than I was yesterday." -Adlai Stevenson http://home.earthlink.net/~sme617 ICQ: 349878998 I've had good luck with aroma therapy-Essential Oil of Bergamot to be exact. I have three cats. After a trip to the vet's where one got very upset ( I had to bathe her), the other cats attacked her because she didn't smell "right". Two drops of essential oil of Bergamot on the back of the neck of all three had them best friends again in 15 minutes. Ever since then whenever they get "antsy", I plug in my electric aroma diffuser with a pad containing a few of essential oil of Bergamot, and they calm right down. I'm amazed. Good Luck, Judy > -> My two cats, who have lived together for 6 years, started fighting 2 > -> months ago (we don't know why). We kept them separated, tried to [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Have you tried Feliway? Thank you for your responses! I had actually consulted with two behaviorists before we decided to medicate. We tried a number of things. Some of them: Feliway (the spray, but will get the diffuser as well); giving them their favorite food only when they are together, rubbing them with the same piece of cloth. I also tried putting a few drops of vanilla on each of them so they smell the same. This has been going on for 2 months. My family circumstances, however, necessitate a quick improvement at this point; hence, the medication. In any case, if you've had any experience with Clomicalm, please let me know. Gianna In any case, thank > I've had good luck with aroma therapy-Essential Oil of Bergamot to be exact. > I have three cats. After a trip to the vet's where one got very upset ( I [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > > > Have you tried Feliway? >From: gianna_p_v@yahoo.com (Gianna) >In any case, if you've had any experience with Clomicalm, please let >me know. Here's a bit of information on it, Gianna: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1537&S=2 Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm Elmer has been on clomicalm for 3 or more years now, and when I remember to give it to him regularly it works well. He is not only aggressive but sprays when unmedicated. We tried prozac, elavil, valium, feliway, something else I forget, and clomicalm has been the only success. It is not perfect so you will probably still have to work at behavior modification for awhile, but it helps enormously. > Thank you for your responses! > [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > > > > > Have you tried Feliway? > Elmer has been on clomicalm for 3 or more years now, > I just want to say that "Elmer" is a GREAT name for a cat! Got any photos you can send us a link to? Or post to alt.binaries.pictures.animals? I want to see Elmer! Why, thank you very much! He is gray with white feet and a black "Adolph Hitler" or "Charlie Chaplin" nose (characterization depends on mood he's in). I am a musician. One day I was subbing for a church organist in a very blighted city neighborhood. I got out of the car and was walking across the street but heard pitiful meows coming from somewhere. Fortunately I was early so I looked around and located them coming from a tree. I tried to get the kitten down (it was a small young tree, to boot!) but he was too spooked. A window opened and a woman stuck her head out and declared that he'd been stuck there for three days and the fire dept., the police, and animal rescue hadn't indicated any interest in him! I confirmed that by calling the police, who wouldn't help. Just then a drunk guy wandered out of the laundromat and declared he'd rescue the little kitty. So he climbed up the "tree" which bowed under his weight, stuck the kitten to his jeans leg where the kitty hung with all claws extended, and brought him down! The window lady took him in until the church service was over, when I went to fetch him. I called him Elmer because I needed to name him after a tree, and Mapley or Oakley didn't appeal to me! (it was probably a poplar anyway) > > Elmer has been on clomicalm for 3 or more years now, > > > I just want to say that "Elmer" is a GREAT name for a cat! Got any > photos you can send us a link to? Or post to alt.binaries.pictures.animals? > I want to see Elmer! > Why, thank you very much! > > He is gray with white feet and a black "Adolph Hitler" or "Charlie Chaplin" > nose (characterization depends on mood he's in). Oh, man, we NEED som pics! <G> > I am a musician. One day I was subbing for a church organist in a very > blighted city neighborhood. I got out of the car and was walking across the [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > kitten to his jeans leg where the kitty hung with all claws extended, and > brought him down! What's the old saying that God looks out for drunks and children? Apparently drunks can look out for kittens, too! Way to go! The window lady took him in until the church service was > over, when I went to fetch him. > > I called him Elmer because I needed to name him after a tree, and Mapley or > Oakley didn't appeal to me! (it was probably a poplar anyway) Great story! Now all we need are some illustrations. I don't have a digital, but I'll try to oblige :) > > Why, thank you very much! > > [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > > Great story! Now all we need are some illustrations. >From: "JHarding" jah@epix.net >I've had good luck with aroma therapy-Essential Oil of Bergamot to be exact. You need to be very, very careful using essential oils with cats: http://www.thelavendercat.bigstep.com/ Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm |
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