Male Cat Still Sprays After Being Neuter

Question
hello
I had a question my male cat got neuter last week October 14 2009.  People told me that if I neuter him this would stop this behavior.  But he still is spraying on the walls and some other areas of the house.  I also have a female cat she got spayed last year ....both of them don't get along and usually the male attacks her and this has being going on before and after my male cat got neuter...someone told that after male cats get neuter they still have some testosterone left and that it will go away in 2 to 3 weeks is... that true??? Help!

Answer
Hi Alma.  Yes, it's true - it can take up to 3 weeks for testosterone levels to drop off before you'll notice an improvement in spraying behavior or aggression.  Neutering helps end these behaviors in more than 90% of cases.  In some instances, an injection of a female hormone can be used to negate the effects of testosterone when tom cats need that extra help.  This tends to be a last resort, as the drug, megestrol acetate, can have side effects such as diabetes and mammary tumors (though these usually occur with long-term use, not one-time usage).

However, aggression and spraying can also be caused by anxiety, so if you don't see an improvement in a couple weeks, you may want to try a product called Feliway.  This is a synthetic facial pheromone, a hormone which helps to promote a feeling of calm and security.  You can learn more about how Feliway works at www.feliway.com  I use the plug-in diffusers in my own home.

In the worst cases, some cats need antidepressant medications.  A couple of my cats have had to take them temporarily over the years - never for more than 6 months, although some cats need them for longer.  Choices include Prozac, Elavil, Buspar and Clomicalm.  If neither the neuter nor the Feliway seem to work after about 4 weeks, you should discuss the possiblity of medicinal treatment with your vet.

Good luck!

Jessica