Expert: Jessica - 5/1/2011

Question
Hi. I am hoping you have some input on this. I know you are not a vet but experienced. I have a 6 year old spayed female.  I brought a male (neutered) cat into our home last year. He was very aggressive and after about 5 months together she started spraying all over my house. I tried Feliway and all the herbal things. Nothing worked. I have separated the cats for six months now and she still continues to spray.  She did have a urinary infection but now that is gone. I put her on liquid emulsion buspar four months ago.  It's having very little effect.  The vet suggested Prozac.  I am wondering if changing to pill form would be better than liquid buspar?  What is your take and what's your take on Buspar v. Prozac?  It seems my only option. At this point no one would take her and I don't want to give her up and I will not toss her outside. If I were to rehome my male, that doesn't guarantee she would stop spraying either.  So, I want them both.  I'm willing to keep swapping them around the house day to day but the spraying has to stop.
Thanks!

Answer
Hi Nancy,

Prozac is shown, by far, to have the most success in treating spraying issues like this, so I would certainly recommend making the switch. As for whether there is a difference in the efficacy of the transdermal gel versus the oral route, I'm not certain, but I would not expect this to be significant. Unless cost is a factor, I would probably stay with the transdermal gel when you switch to the Prozac, as this seems to be least stressful for most cats. Be sure that you're washing the residue off the ears every couple of days so that absorption of new medication isn't hindered.

However, if you prefer to try the oral medication, my cats actually enjoy taking their pills. This is because I wash their pills down with a syringeful of chicken baby food. As soon as they hear me pick up the pill bottle, they come over meowing for their "treat".

Good luck!

Jessica