posted 07-17-2003 08:53 PM           

BUT - First I would try a couple of holistic things that may help without resorting to drugs. I would put Missy on a raw food diet.

This is relatively easy to do nowadays because it is sold prepackaged. Wysong makes one and Steve's is another brand. You can do some research on raw diets on the internet. The raw food diet can have multiple beneficial effects for a cat with this behavior. You need to phase it in and then feed it for several weeks to see results.
Something else that can be tried at the same time or after a few weeks on the diet is acupuncture. See if there is a certified verterinary acupuncturist in your area.

If you try these things and the kitty is still pulling the hair out, you might try a lesser drug than Prozac. Chlorpheniramine is a mild sedative and anti-histamine, so that would be the first one to try.

Amitriptylline aka Elavil would be the next notch up. I have a couple of cats on that and it just takes the edge off things for them. Both of those drugs are very inexpensive.

Then you get into the big guns like Prozac, Buspar and Paxil. Even though she did not do well on Prozac she may be okay on the other two. They all have a different mode of action.

I really believe in trying the natural route first, see if the body can heal itself.

Also make sure that you give her lots of attention - especially when she is not tearing at her fur. You don't want to reinforce that behavior by making a fuss over her when she is doing that.

posted 07-18-2003 08:45 AM         

R.I.P. Oliver...He was hit by a cat may 23 2003... www.geocities.com/oliversmemorial