Siamese put on Clomicalm5

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I have a 2yr old Siamese girl 'Mushroom' desexed and remhomed to me from a previous owner a year ago.  She is a gorgeous girl, but is extremely clingy and anxious. I took her to the vet 4 days ago regarding the anxiety as my partner could no longer handle the stress of her constant Meowing (not just chatter) Vet said she has ADHD and is very person dependant, especially with me (showering and going to the toilet was impossible with the doors shut!)
He has given me Clomicalm 5 and said it could take up to 2 mths to kick in. It actually kicked in the first day!  She is a zombie, she has 1/2 a tablet in the morning and when I get home from work she lies there eyes open, pupils dilated and doesn't move unless I take her to eat. She is not interesting in play or cuddles and is not going to the toilet.  I feel sad, like I've lost the quirky little cat I knew. I know its only been 4 days but I am very concerned about these side effects.

ANSWER: Koren,

You should speak to the vet who prescribed it and explain the reactions of the cat. They would need to make any adjustments regarding the dose and explain the side-effects. Personally, I think I would rather have a clingy cat than a zombie cat. I also would get a second opinion from another vet. Some cats are more needy than others and have a co-dependant personality, expecially if they have had traumatic previous experiences.

Have you tried another companion cat about the same age and personality? She may need the comfort and companionship of another cat to help her be more secure.

Also, have you tried Bach's Rescue Remedy? People swear by it for stressful and/or aggressive behavior, and other emotional and physical behaviors. You can get it at a health food store (people use it too) or on-line. I will give you some detailed information about it:

Bach Flower Essences for Pets: Bach's Flower Essences were developed for humans, but they work on animals as well. Flower essences work on both physical and emotional issues to help heal and calm. They are non-toxic and have NO side effects, and are safe for pets and animals of all sizes.  Bach Flower Essences will not change the inherent temperament of a particular breed or animal, but will help bring them into balance.

BACH'S RESCUE REMEDY is the most commonly used.

Rescue Remedy is not a Flower Essence in itself but a combination of five of the original Remedies. Once these five remedies are combined the Rescue Remedy becomes an essence unto itself. Rescue Remedy can be used on wild  or tame animals for any acute trauma, fear, or stress situations. It also helps increase the survival rate for trapped, rescued, or injured animals, birds, etc. The five combined remedies are:

Star of Bethlehem for trauma and numbness.
Clematis for being grounded and to prevent passing out.
Rock Rose for panic.
Impatiens for tension and irritability.
and
And Cherry Plum to prevent losing control.

Basically four drops of the stock bottle are added to a one ounce glass dropper bottle of spring water and shaken up. It is best to make this up immediately before use as the mixture will not keep too long. Three or four drops of the mixture can be given into the mouth or onto the gums every five minutes until a response is seen. Rescue Remedy can also be given in the water during any time of stress and in this case it is best to use ten drops every time the water is changed.

A few drops of the combined essence on the gums or even in the ear of the very stressed, aggressive animal will calm them down and make them easier to handle. It can also be sprayed on the skin or ears with a spray bottle and it will still have a beneficial effect. A dropper of the combination can be put in the daily water for and make them more manageable. You may use up to 6 combined essences, with RESCUE REMEDY counting as ONE ESSENCE. Try to use the fewest essences possible though.

ADMINISTERING BACH FLOWERS

The remedy can be given by mouth, which is the most effective method. For cats, only a few drops (2-4) are necessary. They need not be swallowed, but MUST contact the mucous membranes (gums, tongue, lips). You can also add a dropper full to the water dish, or a few drops on wet food (there is no effect of dilution). You can add a dropper full to a spray bottle filled with spring water, and use it to spray a room, carrier, car, around litter boxes or plants, or other problem areas. You can also put a few drops in your hand and pat the animal on the head and around the ears with it--the head is very sensitive to energy and will absorb the flower essences in this way. In the case of chewing or excessive licking or hot spots, you might want to try applying the remedy directly to the problem spot (IF it isn't too raw, otherwise the remedy will sting); the animal will then consume it when it next licks that area.

There is no improper or wrong method of applying the Bach Remedies. It is not necessary to be precise in counting the number of drops in any of the dilution methods. The suggestions here are just to offer a reasonable parameter of accepted dilution methods. You CANNOT OVERDOSE the Remedies....they are non-toxic.

DOSAGE AND TIMING

For serious or acute conditions the remedy can be given as often as needed, even every few minutes. For most behavioral problems 3 to 4 times a day for 2 to 4 weeks is sufficient, though some may animals may need drops or a dropper full added to their drinking water long-term.


MULTIPLE ANIMALS

Since the Flower Essence remedies are non-toxic, they have no side effects. It is safe if another pet in your household should receive the flower essence via drinking water. With flower essences, if the animal needs the remedy, the remedy will work and vice versa.

IN ADDITION, HERE ARE DESCRIPTIONS/USES FOR OTHER FLOWER ESSENCES THAT YOU CAN USE ALONE OR COMBINE WITH THE RESCUE REMEDY:

AGRIMONY ~ denial, "stuffing" emotions, inappropriate communication, allergies, physical irritants.

ASPEN ~ vague fears, sense of impending doom, fearful (to be left alone)

BEECH ~ intolerance, allergies

BLEEDING HEART - grief - when pups/kittens leave the mom for new homes for stress and emotional pain.

CELERY - restores balance to the immune system when it is stressed or overworked, and during long-term viral or bacterial infections

CENTAURY ~ meek, "doormat", picked on by other animals

CERATO ~ inattentive, easily distracted. It keeps animals "on track" and is best administered before and during a training session and during competitive events.

CHAMOMILE ~ calming the emotions, soothing irritable and fractious animals, teething and animal who tend to be restless and cranky.

CHERRY PLUM ~ loss of control

CHESTNUT BUD ~ to learn a lesson the first time or break habits

CHICORY ~ possessive, clingy, manipulative, separation anxiety

CLEMATIS ~ consciousness, focus; post-op

CRAB APPLE ~ cleansing; infections, toxins, cuts

ELM ~ easily overwhelmed or frazzled

GARLIC - this helps to repel fleas, and does not have any of the other effects of garlic, including the odor

GENTIAN ~ to see "light at the end of the tunnel", restore hope; long illness rehabilitation

GORSE ~ hopelessness, giving up; cancer, critical injury or surgery

HEATHER ~ needy child, very clingy, talkative

HOLLY ~ anger, jealousy, need for love; abandoned, abused

HORNBEAM ~ mental weariness

HONEYSUCKLE ~ grief, homesickness, depleted energy rescue/shelter animals (forget past, face future)

IMPATIENS ~ impatience, irritability, nervous energy; pain

LARCH ~ lack of self-confidence

MIMULUS ~ timidity, specific fears; illness that does not respond to treatment ,fearful (people other animals) fear of travel in car

MUSTARD ~ depression, gloom, mood swings

OAK~ chronic exhaustion, overworked but keeps struggling; loss of control

OLIVE ~ physical exhaustion from long strain

PINE ~ perfectionist, guilt, feeling rejected: abuse, fearful (animals cringe)

PINK YARROW ~ Helps protect animals from negative emotional energy, such as during a divorce, or stressful family situation, or when another animal or person is sick or draining their energy reserves.

RED CHESTNUT ~ worries about others

ROCK ROSE ~ terror, panic

ROCK WATER ~ inflexible, stiff; arthritis

SCLERANTHUS ~ imbalance; neurologic problems, travel sickness

STAR OF BETHLEHEM ~ mental, physical or emotional trauma; need for comfort; any stray or animal from shelter , shock

SWEET CHESTNUT ~ at wits' end, despairing, rescue animals who have been subject to severe abuse

TOMATO ~ also helps the body in throwing off infection or disease.

VERVAIN ~ fanatic, hyperactive, over-enthusiastic

VINE ~ control, domination

WALNUT ~ transition, protection, over-sensitive to environment , before introducing new animals

WATER VIOLET ~ grief, loner, reclusive, arrogant; to bring joy; for most Cats

WHITE CHESTNUT ~ repetitive thoughts

WILD OAT ~ bored, feeling un-useful

WILD ROSE ~ apathy, passive resignation; to "be here now"

WILLOW ~ resentment

Flower Essences are intended to help deal with behavior and emotional imbalances and it may take some trial and error to find the correct remedy for your animal and the situation.

More information about Bach's can be found on these websites:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm

http://www.nelsonbach.com/BFE_for_pets.html

http://www.petsynergy.com/flower.html

http://www.oes.org/page1/Bach-Rescue-Remedy.html

If your cat is still being very stressed the vet can put her on "kitty Prozac" for a short term (usually 2 weeks) until she calms down.  It is popular and excellent for calming cats with emotional problems. The medication your cat is on now seems too severe for the problem.

I would try another cat or Bach's first, or even the kitty Prozac to see if that helps before giving her any serious medications that takes away her quality of life.

I also asked a vet friend her opinion. I hope to hear back, and when/if I do, I will forward the response.

Tabbi



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you very much for your reply.  I had heard that rescue remedy works for animals (after I'd already bought the clomicalm) I forgot to mention also that a Feliway diffuser has never changed/effected Mushroom.
I will get some rescue remedy and also reduce the dosage on the clomicalm.  I have spoken to the vet today, who was no help.  All he suggested was try her on a 1/4 tablet instead.  He also never suggested anything else like kitty prozac.  Such a shame, I will see a different vet next time!  
I look forward to hearing what your friend thinks :)
thanks!

Answer
Koren,

On doing some research on Clomicalm it is primarily used on dogs. "You can also use Clomicalm for cats as well, though it is currently only FDA approved for humans and dogs".

Here is an article about Clomicalm:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)

http://happyhealthycats.com/medicines/clomicalm/

You can Google further articles by typing: CLOMICALM CATS

Feliway is popular, but I've had many comments from people saying that it didn't work for their cats. I personally have never tried it.

If you can afford it, a 2nd opinion would be good. I have learned that there are some very good vets, but there are a LOT that, especially from wrong information I have heard given to people, that I don't know how they ever got a license!

Hope this helps.

Tabbi

EDIT:

Koren, did you receive my updated answer with the response from the vet? I didn't see it in th published answer so I wanted to make sure. How is your cat now?

I'm sorry you didn't feel my knowledge on the subject wasn't more than an 8, but I am not a vet and normally do not answer vet questions. I made an exception for your cat because I felt it was a serious problem and that is why I researched the information and asked for clarification...I wanted you to have all the additional information available to help your cat.
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