Aggression and spraying.

Question
We have six cats, now indoor/backyard only.  Four were with my husband, and during a separation, I got two of my own.  The problem is with my two, Shane and Ringo, and more Shane.  I got both of them from a shelter, Shane when he was a baby, Ringo older (shelter wasn't sure how old 3-5 yrs#.  Right from the start, Shane would attack Ringo.  Ringo took it for a while, then started to retaliate.  Eventually, they tolerated each other, though they're still occasionally aggressive with each other.  Husband and I got back together, and we slowly introduced my boys with the others.  However, Shane has it in for mostly one of the other boys, Mickey 4 yrs #who is also very aggressive); Ringo too but less so, though sometimes its both of them on Mickey.  Mickey is just beginning to retaliate to Shane.  Shane is also spraying everywhere around the house.  He still uses the litterbox when they're in for the night, but he keeps spraying, too.  We've tried Feliway, but it doesn't work.  All six have now been together over a year and a half and this is still going on.  We're at wits end.  We're taking Shane on Tuesday to a vet for another problem and will ask about this there, too, but if you've got any insight and advice, we would really appreciate it!  Thanks!

Answer
Hi Phyllis,

Sorry I got this late. You didn't say if your cats are fixed. If not, get them done. This will help enormously. If you can, ask your vet about giving Shane some drugs to help him settle in. Valium, Acepromazine, Amytripiline or Periactin will work well. See what he recommends. Any of these drugs will also help curb the spraying. Also make sure you clean the areas he marks with a good enzymatic cat urine cleaner. Removes all the temptations for the others to respond in kind. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen