MMM has been on kitty Prozac for about 3 weeks now. It took some time to find a non-stressful way of pilling her. The usual push-it-down her throat method was very stressful and she found it when hidden in any kind of food. Our previous Minnie, Minnie Pumpkin, could find pills in Pill Pockets so we were dubious about using them. But this Minnie scarfs the salmon favored ones down, pill and all, and its become her nightly treat.
Some of her behavior has changed. She doesn't hiss or growl at Carl anymore. However, he has learned she is basically a coward, so he chases her occasionally. The mom separates them for the day by putting him in with Julie, so now he knows to avoid her after he's chased MMM.
MMM loves to be scratched and usually holds onto the mom's arm or taps her when she tries to stop scratching her. She gave the mom a couple love bites recently - a first. It was sweet because she was so tentative; not sure if she should or not, or how it would be received. It made the mom's day. But MMM seems to spend more time by herself, and the mom wondered if anyone else noticed this with Prozac cats.
That stupid licking continues! It drives the mom crazy cause she will rub her temples raw and bloody. Its almost more out of boredom or habit she does this, and the mom tries to distract her with play. She hoped coconut oil would soothe MMM's skin, but she just cleans it off, its just one more excuse to lick. We'll give her another couple weeks to see if the licking subsides and keep giving her coconut oil orally in the meantime.
Its strange how far MMM has come in the almost 3 years we've had her, yet how little she has progressed in other ways. The mom can't hand her the Pill Pocket. MMM knows its her nightly treat and she looks forward to it, but the mom can't approach her with it. It has to be rolled towards MMM or it has to be put down and the mom then needs to back off. Purrhaps it could be used as a teaching tool, holding it out or approaching a little closer each day.
MMM's never had a bad experience with beans since she has been adopted, and she's never been punished or struck. We would think she would have developed more trust by now. We know its because she was on her own, and it must have been a long while. Yet she likes being petted and snuggling up, so she must have had some exposure to peeps when she was young. Purrhaps she was abused in some way. She just mystifies the mom, and the mom wishes she could figure her out. Anyone with any ideas out there? We'd really appreciate any insights.
Anyway, this is a long post, and its time to for the weekend to start! Have a great weekend, dear furriends, and stay safe!
19 comments:
MMM, we are glad to hear that the kitty Prozac has helped in some ways. But we do hope that somehow, someway, the licking will subside, too.
We wanted to thank you so much for the beautiful comments you left on our blog. We miss our Sammy so very much, but we do know that time will help ease our sadness. In the meantime, your love and kindness are such blessings. Thank you for being such great friends.
Much love and hugs,
Kevin, Tracey and Moosey
It is so difficult sometimes to not be able to know what is bothering them, to know that maybe we could help, but can't figure out what they need exactly.
I too hope the licking can stop. Please keep us updated. I just felt like giving a big hug to MMM.
Thank you, too, for your wishes for Milou. He is doing better and we sure hope he can stay this way :-)
Carine
(Texas' human)
None of us have ever had to be on mood-altering drugs, but a few years ago I reviewed a book on my blog called The Cat Who Cried for Help by Dr. Nicholas Dodman. And remembering it leads me to think that maybe, while you are on the right track with the kitty Prozac, maybe it's not exactly the right meds - Dr. Dodman had several instances where he had to go with a different medication. Have you tried the Spirit Essences that Jackson Galaxy has? It sounds like MMM and Carl could both benefit from them. The best thing is they are benign, so they are worth a try!
Mommy here :
Coco, Meow-Me's daughter, has been with us since she was born, never exposed to any danger nor ever been abused. Yet, she behaves totally feral. I can't touch her without her flinching, she doesn't approach me unless I have food and even so, she grabs the food and moves away so I can't touch her. It's so frustrating because Meow-Me and Felix are more than happy to be near me.
I do hope the coconut oil will help with her skin and fur though I'm not sure if it'll work if it's done out of boredom. At least she has Oui Oui to keep her company.
MMM, you are a sweetheart ad some of your issues remind of us of Ms. Akira over at Cat Tales.
Purrs,
The Chans
I sure hope the combo of prozac and coconut oil helps her out, but it may be allergy related too in which case an antihistimine might help.
have you considered Rescue Remedy / Bach's Flower Essences and or Spirit Essences?
http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-pets-bach-flower/
http://store.jacksongalaxy.com/category-s/1849.htm
Glad to hear there is some improvement on the anxiety meds. You might want to ask your vet about allergies, as facial rashes itchies are commonly food allergy related. Or you could try her on a novel protein diet (like Natures Variety or Natural Balance Rabbit/Pea and see it that helps. She would need to be on it with nothing elso for at least a month.
MMM...we thinks ewe iza gorgeous gal....wink wink....
N after roolin out food allergeez, soap, bedding, washin de beddin soap, cloth, dry food, wet food N everee thing else ya can rool out, we haz come ta de conclooshun boomer; who licks hiz belly raw from now til de furst frost hitz.....does it .....
coz he can
tell yur mom ta chek out this site...her doez knot hafta buy any stuff, but they due haz sum help full artycullz
http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/
hope everee one haza grate week oh end !
None of our kitties have allergies.We are so sorry that the prozac didnt help. Poor MMM we know she is nervous, our own little Gracie is a fraidy cat and she has never been harmed in any way since she lived with us for 8 years now but she is still as afraid as the day she came. Nothing we do can make any difference. We are sending lots of purrs for Miss MMM
I lick every time Mommy pets me. I will not take treats. I will not eat out of her hand. I "waaaahh" a lot. Mommy says if somebody can figure me out, please do. So don't feel bad, MMM. It took Mommy a long time to hand feed Angel brandi. And when Suki was put on Prozac for licking all the skin off her belly sorry to say it didn't really work (it was her reaction to a new kitty in the house, and she never really liked her new housemate. They kept to separate rooms. Even for eating.)
Mommy wishes we could talk human.
Even for one day.
QUINN
It sounds like from some of the others that her timidity may just be her. I think Zoey at Island Cats is also on Prozac so hopefully they'll have some good advice. Maybe she needs some more time on it (?). I hope the oral coconut oil will help but I thought Brian made a good point about it possibly be allergy related or maybe partly allergy related meaning maybe allergies make her itch but her nervousness makes her itch more. Ugh, I don't know. I can imagine how frustrating it must be for you because you love her so. I think you do a great job with her and I'm glad she likes to get pets and snuggles from you.
That's great that she likes Pill Pockets. They were so helpful when I was taking care of Lucy.
She likes the pills pockets? That is rare, we just curl our nose up and walk away. Hopefully some way MMM stops plucking those eyebrows.
Poor MMM. Ashton is like that, too, afraid of everything and nearly everyone, including the manpeep.
We wish we had more suggestions, but you got some great ones above. Big purrs for MMM from all of us.
Hi, it's the Island Cats' mom here. Is MMM on human prozac? It usually takes 4-6 weeks for it to reach its maximum benefit. Zoey has been on prozac for some time now and it has helped her become less fearful, though she still will run and hide from me and revert to feral behavior when she feels threatened. As Sparkle has said, maybe the prozac isn't the right med for her. Zoey also was on buspar at one time. This med is supposed to help a timid cat become more confident. Is there a vet behaviorist near you that you could consult with? Sparkle also mentioned Dr. Dodman. I have consulted with Dr. Dodman a couple of times. Tufts offers a service called PetFax where you and your vet can consult with Dr. Dodman and his staff regarding behavioral issues you are having with your cat. I have also consulted with a vet behavoirist in my area.
I'm not a big proponent of having cats on meds, but it has helped Zoey somewhat. Unfortunately, she and Wally still don't get along, but we still are working on it. (I'm an eternal optimist.)
As others have mentioned, it could be allergy related too. Or a combination of allergy and behavioral. It's so hard to say. You wish they could just tell you what was bothering them so you could do your best to fix it!
I don't know if I helped at all, but you can email me if you want to talk about it or get some more info.
We so hope just the right thing will be found to help MMM. Have allergies been ruled out? Some of our past housemates had allergies and could not stop licking certain spots. We and Mom will keep her in our prayers. Purrs and hugs from the kitties at The Cat on My Head, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Josette
TBT here: Many cats have one bizarre habit or another. Skeeter was always terrified of white plastic trash bags (but not black ones). Ayla backs up nervously if I approach her in the hallway and dodges my hand if I reach down to pet her, but is happy to be petted IF she is up at my head level. Iza will wrassle furiously with Ayla or Marley when I open a can of food and then she will eat until she throws up unless I take food bowls away from her. Ayla has stopped eating with the others and wants her bowl alone (usually up high). Marley and Iza chase Ayla over the fence whenever she goes outside, but they don't when she is inside.
They just all seem to have some odd problem or another!
I haven't had a cat who licked obsessively, but have you asked a vet if aloe gel or calamine lotion is safe to apply (I don't know myself)? Maybe her skin just ITCHES!
I wish I had some ideas for your sweet girl!
Spitty has been the most difficult kitty I have ever had. He's almost nine, and I have had him since he was 10 or 12 weeks old. He has a deeply, deeply, DEEPLY feral nature that is still very strong. He backs away when I reach for him, runs when I approach, hides if anyone comes in. He is WAY better in some ways--enjoys petting & brushing, loves to play, but still after all this time, he will not lap-sit or sit anywhere where he is touching me. Fortunately, he does not have any harmful habits like the licking, but I really do sympathize with your struggles.
Dear Sweet darling MMM, we sure wish you could tell your mommeh what botherz you ^..^ we hope your medz help. And at least you can napz nex to Oui Oui, and have her az a furiend. ♥♥
We came by to Fank You fur stopping by with your comforting purrz on acounta Penelope'z leaving fur da Bridge so suddenly. You helped to make da dark dayz ahead a little more bearable ^..^ We so glad we haz you all fur furiendz! ♥xo♥
Hugz from da mom~
Soft Purrz from us ~
Sunny, Gabriel ♥xo♥Julie♥, Larry, Lolly, Ana ♥♥xoxo♥♥
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