Well what do you think about this? Jackson Galaxy ‘cures’ a highly stressed black cat with a huge over-grooming problem – due to stress – using mind altering meds aka psychiatric medication. The problem with the video for me is that Jackson does not tell us what meds he used and for how long they will be used. That’s a very important part of this treatment.
It seems that there was no attempt to get to bottom of the cat’s stress and distress. Something caused it. This cat was living in constant fear. Fear of humans it seems to me and therefore perhaps the cat was simply unsocialised. This would be the obvious answer. It would have been a bad idea to mention that on the video because it would have begged the question why an unsocialised cat was living in someone’s home. If the cat was unsocialised (essentially semi-feral in this instance) the ‘cure’ would be to socialise the cat. That’s possible but it would take 6-18 months of patient interaction with the cat incorporating a lot of play and calm.
Jackson could have said that in one sentence but it would not have made an interesting video. Am I being cynical? I don’t think so.
Jackson seems to be quite keen on solving cat behaviour problems with tranquillisers. It is a quick fix but it can’t be a permanent fix can it? Personally in a feline problem like this I’d have preferred to have seen Jackson getting to the bottom of the problem and finding a non-chemical cure.
Jackson mentions Feline Psychogenic Alopecia in the video. This is another phrase of compulsive over-grooming. He actually made a small mistake because he says the hair ‘falls out’. It does not fall out. The hair is licked out, it’s as brutal as that. Obviously it takes a lot of grooming to achieve this state but as you can see in the video this poor cat has almost removed all her fur from the underside of her body and legs.
The first question Jackson should have asked is where did the ladies get their cat from. The response would have told him if the cat was unsocialised. I have a strong feeling that they acquired the cat informally perhaps from a friend and the friend acquired the cat as a stray. Therefore her history might have indicated non-socialised. These are pure guesses however. Other than that there may have been a health issue but it does not look like that.
P.S. Like most I love Jackson Galaxy but I don’t agree with everything he says and does. However, he is restricted because he has a TV program to manage. He has to perform and make it interesting. This changes things.
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I’m guessing he never specifies what meds on his show because his legal team told him not to. Because some idiot looking to save a few bucks might try to medicate their cat on their own and guess who they would sue when the cat fares poorly or dies. But most of all Jackson does not want any cats harmed by idiots trying to bypass the vet fee and do it themselves.
Good point. I agree and have stated in the article that Jackson is limited as to what he can do on air which distorts the real issues to be honest.
His whole demeanor is threatening. You don’t just approach a cat as a stranger and expect her to be friendly. My friendly cats would react the same way if a stranger approached them in the same manner that this guy did. Cats are different than dogs and need time to adjust and warm up to someone. He should not encroach into her space and poke objects at her. This is sure to elicit an aggressive response from a cat.
Thanks Grace.