Cat guardians whose kitties begin acting strangely often get frustrated and upset with their cat’s bizarre behavior. Being unable to communicate with them verbally makes it even more difficult to pin-point the problem.
Many years ago, Sir Hubble Pinkerton, our loving, even-tempered Oriental Shorthair kitty’s behavior started changing dramatically. We knew he was upset when he began pacing aimlessly around the house for hours, yowling incessantly and starting to ritualistically trot around our garden tub three times precisely before using the litter box in the bathroom.
He also started to compulsively lick himself, tearing out huge chunks of hair. He often left bloody sores on his sensitive skin. He began spraying which complicated these symptoms. It was high time to call our veterinarian.
After taking an extensive history and giving him a thorough examination, she diagnosed Sir Hubble with Obsessive, Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The next step was finding the right behavior-modifying medication with which to treat him appropriately.
I was at my wit’s end when Prozac and Buspar only exacerbated his symptoms. And while Sir Hubble is not depressed, as a last ditch effort our holistic veterinarian prescribed Amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant to help relieve his obsessive behavior. The medication worked like a charm. Within two weeks his symptoms had diminished. Sir Hubble stopped mutilating himself, his episodes of spraying abated, and the litter box no longer a scary monster.
Amitriptyline is a generic drug. At $8.00 for 60 pills; the drug’s cost is extremely reasonable. And for years we have been getting it from our local pharmacy. However, last week when I realized we were down to 8 pills and no further refills available, I asked my vet to call the pharmacy.
The next day I contacted the pharmacy to make sure the prescription was ready. But you can bet your bottom dollar that I was fighting mad when she told me no request had been made. I called the clinic and the vet tech told me she would immediately call them once again.
When I rang up the pharmacy, the assistant suggested I call back in the late afternoon to make certain it was ready for pick-up. But when I called she told me the medication was already out for delivery. Out for delivery? Since I hadn’t asked for delivery I was mystified. She explained that the pharmacist was so apologetic about the delay in refilling the prescription, as a courtesy he was having it delivered at no charge.
Hours later the deliveryman arrived. He said I had to pay for it since the account was in “suspense”. In “suspense”? Additionally, they were charging me a whopping $15.98 plus $3.00 for delivery. Now I was fighting mad. The deliveryman told me to call the pharmacy to work this out but fortunately gave me the pills.
But I went ballistic when the assistant told me that Sir Hubble Pinkerton had no account, which is why it was in “suspense”. Stunned, I informed her that Sir Hubble has no money, that he cannot work. She asked me if he was disabled. Choking on my words, I informed her that Sir Hubble is a CAT!
And since the pharmacist was not in, I won’t know the outcome until sometime this week. But I sure ain’t gonna pay no $15.98 for the meds, nor for the delivery. Perhaps I should borrow some of Sir Hubble’s pills to chill out before I call the pharmacy again.
What do you think? Tell us in a comment.
I think he is just a sensitive cat and is perhaps stressed more easily than some other cats. I agree that the modern refined Siamese is possibly more prone this sort of health problem than other breeds. He is a beautiful cat.
Well, maybe you need to give him an allowance? Seriously, your pharmacy sounds pretty dysfunctional.
We really don’t know what caused Sir Hubble’s OCD. While stress is one of the major causes of this condition, Michael is correct. It seems that Siamese are one of the breeds that are more prone to OCD.
But I will bet that stress was the cause- since his odd behavior started when an intact male cat started to “visit” by a window- leaving calling cards outside the window, making Sir Hubble very upset and anxious. But we will never truly know for sure.
Yes – well you said it in a nutshell: you see Gigi can’t go for a half hour walk in the simple obvious sense. I am at work alot of time.
….so I am on the case when I am home in the evenings. I’ve stopped using the internet when I am at home so as to have that time with the cats, especially Gigi. It is genuinely helping. I can see she is having a bit of fun and that they like me to join in. I have been playing their games of hide and pounce and chase lately but also sometimes I just sit with them while they are playing and it encourages them. We have fun – I should video it 🙂
What a stressful day for you Jo, I hope you’ve for Sir Hubble’s account sorted out now and at a reasonable cost. I once took amitriptyline for migraine, like Elisa, but it just knocked me senseless, I hope Sir H can come off it eventually. He is a gorgeous cat.
I guess there is a place for medication. Definitely. As you suggest it is a last resort.
There is a lot of talk in the UK about doctors prescribing ant-depressants to people when it is accepted that going for a 30 minute brisk walk is often as effective. Cognitive behavioral therapy (talking etc.) is another more natural remedy for human depression.
Pills can be life savers but caution needs to be the bye-word.