Need Advice/Information on Prozac for Cats... msg

[GuardianOf4]

My MIL, J, has three cats: Rupert, Penny and Peggy. Penny and Peggy get along, and Rupert and Penny are a kitty couple. The problem is Rupert and Peggy. For several months now, Rupert has been bullying Peggy. It's gotten to the point where Penny has to take a good look around before going anywhere and she rarely leaves her room.

Rupert is a big, 15 pound boy (neutered) and Penny is just a petite 5 pounder (spayed). Both are around 8 years old. Peggy has been a resident for about 2 years, and they got along just fine for the first 6 months. Then one day, the bullying started and hasn't stopped. There have been no major changes/events in the household during that time period.

She has tried Rescue Remedy and a Feliway Diffuser. They seemed to work for a while, but stopped working a month or two ago. Time-outs do not seem effective, either.

J has consulted with the vet on several occassions and had Rupert checked out, and Rupert's behavior is definitely not medical.

The vet recommended Prozac as an option, but J felt it was an option of last resort. J feels the time is finally right to try it.

So, I'd like to get information on Prozac for cats for her -- general information on dosage, time it takes to become effective, side effects, can human Prozac be used or does it have to be compounded, etc.?

She's especially concerned about side effects.

I will forward any links or general information to her. She's taking Rupert in for a routine checkup next month and would like to get the prescription then.

Thanks,

Chris

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[Noofies]

Chris, I'm sorry I didn't see this earlier. I don't have any advice or information on Prozac and cats - I've never used it, so I've never done any research on it. Did you ask at AHOC? I know there are a number of posters there whose cats are on Prozac, with good results. I think most are on human prozac, but I think one or two (Mcat's Peaches, for example) may be getting a compounded version.

If you can't get enough information from the folks over there, let me know and I'll do some research for you.

[GuardianOf4]

Thanks, Noofies.

I found some general information as well as feedback from a few folks who have used Prozac for their cats. 4/5 got good results and no major side effects, so that's promising.

I emailed the articles and replies to my MIL. I'll probably follow up with her this weekend.

Chris