Anyone had a cat diagnosed with depession? need help.?

So our cat Marvin has been pulling out his hair for over a year. We took him to the vet thinking he was losing patches of hair due to a illness. Vet indicated he was doing it to himself. He is an indoor cat,we put him on 3 courses of flea medication just in case, no relief. She has done a skin biopsy, a long food trial and we have tried him on antihistimines. He still keeps pulling his hair out. We have spent a fortune to try and cure him and now the vet has indicated that he has depression probably due to being indoors. We can't let him outside due to where we live. She has now said that he may need sedatives or antidepressants to cure this problem. Unfortunately....we just can't afford to keep medicating our cat. She says he probably won't do any harm to himself, but like a depressed person...he may begin to act out in an agressive way if he is not medicated. I have three kids...so that scares me. Has anyone had a depressed cat that acted aggressively? Marv has always been so sweet.

Anyone had a cat diagnosed with depession? need help.?

I am sorry that your cat is having these issues. It is hard to deal with especially when you love your animal and no matter what you do for them, kind of like people. If the vet thinks that it is because he wants to go outside, maybe (depending on if you have some sort of yard) you can invest in one of those cat runs that are completely enclosed that you can put outside and let you cat hang out there. I had a friend who had a similar problem with her cat and that worked wonders. I hesitate to say get another cat, because if your cat is alerady ahving some dificulties, adding another stressor to the situation may send him over the edge. Also look at any changes that went on in the house when you first noticed that Marvin was pulling out his fur. That may give you an indication of what set him off. Good luck!

Anyone had a cat diagnosed with depession? need help.?

yea my cat is depressed.

she never purrs anymore.

she probably wants to go outside to run around and stuff.

why don't you try and play with your cat and get her mind off of the outside world, she's probably BORED.

Anyone had a cat diagnosed with depession? need help.?

I don't know how old Marvin is, but maybe he can get used to being on a cat-leash ( little steps at the time ) so you can take him outside for walks. I might be worth trying.

Anyone had a cat diagnosed with depession? need help.?

Cats have a social tendancy that most people don't realize they have. It can become a problem with indoor cats because they have no exposure to other cats. The best way to fix this is to have a second cat, or allow her to become acquainted with another indoor cat for at least an hour or two each day if you can't afford to have a second cat.

If there is just no way for you to provide either of those options for your cat, then you have to dedicate time with the cat throughout the day. Spend a few minutes scratching her cheeks, neck, and belly. Another time just sit quietly and stroke her face and head gently. Other times let her curl up in your lap and nap for awhile. You'll have to do the things that another cat would do for her.

Anyone had a cat diagnosed with depession? need help.?

..Yes, our cat Lucky......sadly to say he was hit by a car and had to have three of his legs amputated....It was hard for old Lucky....but we talked a lot, he was on medication for months after the accident and like any other cat that has been taking anti-depressants a while he got very moody, very demanding, we would argue a lot and usually end up giving me the paw. I built him a board with wheels on it, and now he is able to get out. It is really something to see , his one good arm has bulked up so much he now has the confidence to get back into the dating scene and return to college. Maybe if you shaved ole Marv and started calling him KoCat (KoJak) he too ,would change his outlook on life and quit blaming you and your mate for being so selfish making his life miserable and a living Hell behind the four walls you have jailed him to!

Hey but what do I know!

Anyone had a cat diagnosed with depession? need help.?

I thought my cat got a little depress at times also. she's also an indoor cat. Sometimes I do let her out in the hall way of our apartment building but if you live in a house you might want to consider walking her on a leash. She's never gotten aggressive to any of the family members always sweet. The only ppl she got a little deffensive with are the vets. Good luck I hope you can turn things around.

Anyone had a cat diagnosed with depession? need help.?

I bet they'd loooove to sell you some kitty Prozac! Perhaps I shouldn't make light of that - but I think there are two much better routes for you to take before going down that road.

What you're seeing here is obsessive behavior. I'm not an expert, but my readings have led me to believe that there are two possible treatments for this that won't break the bank or sentence kitty to a lifetime of drugs.

One is to change the diet. Cats DO develop allergies or intolerances to their foods and sometimes a change in diet is in order. (More on this later). The other is to try alternative methods such as flower essences.

Flower essences are never harmful for cats and many have reported excellent results after using them. They are not overly expensive either. I personally have used three of them on Poppy and I do believe they've helped. (You can read more about them from the link below, and I've included links to any I think might be helpful for you.)

You've probably already heard of these even if you don't realize this - Rescue Remedy is a flower essence.

Now back to the possible food allergy - the only way you can tell if this is the issue is to change his diet. Get some other foods, preferably ones that use a different meat, and give that a try. When introducing new foods you must do so slowly to avoid digestive upsets. Just add a little of the new in with the old and gradually increase that while decreasing the old food.

If you're feeding dry foods, I recommend trying one of the better brands which are grainless - Innova Evo, Wellness Core or Nature's Variety Instincts. You may gulp when you see the price, but believe me when I say it's worth it!

You'd be better off feeding canned food though - even brands you can get at the grocery store would be an improvement over something like dry Purina. Canned foods are less likely to contain the allergens (like corn, wheat and soy) that set many cats off. So I do recommend giving this a try.

I think your vet's "analysis" of your cat being depressed sounds a bit presumptive. Unless there are symptoms you haven't listed, like he's staring out the window moping, try to escape when doors open, etc. But I wouldn't put a lot of stock in it. Saying he's depressed is safe enough, but listing that as the cause just doesn't sound right to me.

EDIT: Vet-approved foods. Hmmm. Let me guess, Science Diet, Hills, etc.? Dry foods? Hmmm. Those are crap - overpriced crap. It's sad to say but many vets know Z.E.R.O. when it comes to proper nutrition for cats. I'm not meaning to beat a dead cat here, but if that's the type of foods your vet suggested you try, then you haven't really done a food trial at all. You've wasted your money on differently packaged bags of CORN.

And I still have to question how your vet managed to come up with this diagnosis. I don't question the depression so much as the cause. Frankly, that part of it sounds like a load of crap.

If this were my cat, I'd get a better vet.

But if you're so convinced that your vet is right but you aren't willing to pay for the drugs, then why not give the cat to someone who can afford proper care? Or someone willing to try alternative methods, even something like animal communication.

Anyone had a cat diagnosed with depession? need help.?

The Answer:

Go to Wal-mart and buy walking lease and yawl can try to get her accustom to that. Keep an eye on cleaning sores. Other than that don't fret cause Santa Claus is coming to Town and nothing is else one can do unless take to a different animal doctor if worsens or if you find there something he is allergic to, like laundry detergent or material.

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In Conclusion, everyone has valid assessments and beneficial remedies to help us formulate together what is the best treatment to alleviate this serious pet problem which is widespread.

I like high tech ways to see specialist, and try medications, but sometimes simple common sense solutions are what I call Hillbilly Ways is what to do. Low Tech is sometimes better to consider and more effective.

* The great suggestion of using a leash to walk cat is the best thing to do. They閳ユ獧e finicky, but maybe all vets should recommend that to at least try for indoor cats. The cage outside, not so good cause leaving unattended, if something came up it would scare them.

One more note plz, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION:

Your scene is fine at home, you閳ユ獧e caring to him

i would change vets but write a letter and try to get a refund back on poor advice. Get any medical records first. Seriously, no hard feelings with nice veterinarian. but sounds like they have done anything to solve problem and it is Ok for him to have this ordinary condition as long as it does not get infective or the smart analyzes you did on own about cat getting aggressive. But I would consider staying with them, no of my biz and they have to rule certain things out.

So don't worry about a thing, the leash idea seems the best for an indoor cat to get outdoors and walk with you, but this is my take and i think will do chores, straighten my hang-ups out and like you go see my precious.

It's OK you got things fine.

I KNOW THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THAT SITUATION AND THE CAT WAS SHEDDING TOO MUCH HAIR ON THEIR SOFA, SO THEY USED A SAMPLE OF THE CATS FURR TO REAPOLSTER THEIR COUCH SO IT WOULD MATCH. HA!

Hey, if got Yahoo Flickr Ac. and want to share with public a photo just for fun then post link, be nice to see your precious ...Just curious like those cats.

We hope allz well with you and your family.

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You Can Lick This Problem, but it is typical for most pets to do this.

It sounds like it is not due to food allergies and in fact it is due to the cat staying indoors and not have something to stimulate him and he is somewhat depressed and he has to lick the skin as an obsessive compulsion.

You are caring and maybe like me my dog has that condition and I need to walk him and let him stay outdoors some to relieve those symptoms. The condition is called, Lick Granuloma. My vet prescribed an anti-depressant like you all has figured out and it cost about 5 dollars a month. It is same medicine that is giving to people. They are like us. I give him the medicine which I feel is good thing to have to give my pet anyway. It is hard to give them the attention they deserve sometimes.

(Note: good point, my pet is around 6 and is just a little over weight but healthy)

The Medicine is Evail 100mg which is the maximum dose for staying on it regularly. The medicine does assist greatly with that condition but I noticed if I can not get my walks in they will return to that behavior but not as bad.

So try to afford buying meds and give him something to be less bored and make more active and feel important like the rest of us, I reckon. I am worry too about sores, just keep clean, it can be normal for them not to heal as long as not infected then antibiotics may be needed. I would stay away from sedatives and work on preventing this. I have seen no aggression in my dog from this as I see you are a concerned mother so maybe I wouldn't worry about that sense he hasn't done that at all.

I wish I could think of something to have him do when you are out of house. How about getting him an outdoor cage. Make it yawls-self with post, 2 by 4's and wrap with a thick grade metal mesh. Perhaps you will find scrap lumber for frame, find some cedar trees in forest for post in corners, and have to just buy wire to put around it. Put sheet of wood as floor and set on cinder blocks and the top can be scrap plywood from construction place and fasten wire screen walls securely so pet can not dig out of. Have the back wall of cage solid so he will feel secure and small cat house to get out of wind and the rest open to view the birds and all.

Have one above to have more room to run around but if have apartment the good suggestion above I see about cage is fine. He needs to get out of the house, like me if I can get my act together because I suffer similar symptoms like those cats.

My dog doesn't watch television so I can not put the animal planet show on. I am hoping to get it together and put a dog house outside with light in it to heat that and give him an outdoor pin to be in during day and make sure he gets walkees because I want him to feel good and be with me in the evening to play and at night because pets are loved.

As non-expert keep sores clean before having to give antibiotics, meds help but not total solution; probably will get irritable but not aggressive. Sorry about that and hopefully like we hope to do is to get your nice pet to use that tread mill carpet thing to treat that condition.

Basic Exercise Regiment for people, needed to stay in shape:

2O min. walk in morning is good aerobic exercise and that閳ユ獨 helps the metabolism going to burn and then that actually helps one to expel calories when one is sitting at desk.

10min. walk after supper helps digestive better and to walk off meal. I full glass of water after complete meal curbs going to get seconds and then reward your self with dessert.

I am trying to do which is all one really needs combined with doing exercise tape a couple times a week instead of the walking, in addition to a few abs ones, stretching, a little resistant weight stuff to gain muscle and flexibility and tone. meditation is essential too. Wish me Luck!

I would love to have a cat too but my dog wouldn't have that. This home is run strictly for his benefit we joke. Yeah you are right, .....be nice to have him company but it sounds like Marvin has the perfect companions. This may help as an opinion and not like advice, along with how you essential know about these suggestions anyway, its all good, them adorable cats can do their main activity,

They Lay Around All Day and Rest Afterwards.

Anyone had a cat diagnosed with depession? need help.?

I had a problem with depression in a cat once and that was when the companion cat died..I got another cat which did not help immediately but eventually did make her come around.. She would not eat during her depressive state. In your case, if the cat was used to going outdoors at some point, that would do it I am sure. He is bored. I tried the cat leash thing before and all that happened was I had a leash attached to the porch but no cat. He wiggled his way out of it and took off but did come back later and took my chances after that and gave him his freedom. I ended up losing him to old age not any trauma from the outdoors. But if you absolutely can't let him out on his own, you could try a large kennel. At least he could get the air and some greens. Your in a tough spot. If being indoors constantly is an adjustment for the cat, maybe some extra attention from you and the kids, especially with play toys would help. It sounds to me like he needs something to stimulate his active side. Good luck to you. I hope all works out eventually. I am a huge cat lover (with 4 of my own babies) and know how hard it is to deal when they are not right...

Anyone had a cat diagnosed with depession? need help.?

I left my cat with my mother once and didn't see him for 3-4 months. When I finally went back for a visit he had lost at least half of his body weight and when I asked Mother what the problem was she told me that as soon as he realized that I wasn't coming back he stopped eating. Once he realized I was back in his life he started eating again and got well, gained his weight back and was a perfectly fine cat again! He had just been depressed over not seeing me for so long.

Anyone had a cat diagnosed with depession? need help.?

This is most likely food allergies and you are most likely feeding dry foods. You ned to feed a high quality canned foods. If you can afford it, wellness or merrick would be best as they are grain freed. If not, you want to get cammed with no corn or gluten at the least

Nutrition since there are so many bad things out there is very important to your cat閳ユ獨 health

Contrary to what you may have heard; dry foods are not a great thing to feed a cat.

Please read the label on what you are feeding? What are the ingredients? Do you know what they mean? Is the first ingrdiant a muscle meat like chicken or meal or other things?

http://www.catinfo.org/#Learn_How_To_Rea...

Dry foods are the number 1 cause of diabetes in cats as well as being a huge contributing factor to kidney disease, obesity, crystals, u.t.i閳ユ獨 and a host of other problems. Food allergies are very common when feeding dry foods. Rashes, scabs behind the tail and on the chin are all symptoms

The problems associated with Dry food is that they are loaded with carbohydrates which many cats (carnivores) cannot process them. Also, Most of the moisture a cat needs is suppose to be in the food but in

Dry, 95% of it is zapped out of dry foods in the processing. Another thing, most use horrible ingredients and don't use a muscle meat as the primary ingredient and use vegetable based protein versus animal. Not good for an animal that has to eat meat to survive.

You want to pick a canned food w/o gravy (gravy=carbs) that uses a muscle meat as the first ingredient and doesn't have corn at least in the first 3 ingredients if at all. Fancy feast is a middle grade food with 9lives, friskies whiskas lower grade canned and wellness and merrick upper grade human quality foods. Also, dry food is not proven to be better for teeth. Does a hard pretzel clean your teeth or do pieces of it get stuck? http://www.felinefuture.com/nutrition/bp...

Please read about cat nutrition.