It's not the best, or most relevant, picture of Sani. But I had to use it.
For anyone who might not know it, 2 of the 4 titular cats are male. Most people don't know it, but 90% of male cats who are neutered at a young age don't spray. Of the few that do, minor behavior modification (e.g., aerosol hormones) or environment modification (e.g., putting his food next to where he sprays) is an effective treatment. For the very few remaining, drugs (anti-depressant or anti-anxiety), or major behavior modification (e.g. restriction to cage for 30 days and thorough cleaning of sprayed locations) are usually effective. Of the 2 male cats, Piper required everything on that list, but seems to be under control, so long as he remains in the basement, and has no contact with the other animals. Sani has, more or less, undergone all the same treatments but is not under control. This could be because we don't have another basement in which to confine him. He must be exposed to the other animals.
He's already destroyed parts of the house. Some doors, base & trim moldings, and more than one room's carpet, must be replaced. Clearly, there's no reason to replace them as long as Sani continues spraying. Worse, Sani's spraying has recently become worse. We need to do something.
Some internet research revealed a possibility. Sani's current drug, and for the last 7-or-so years, is amitriptyline. That's an anti-depressant. In retrospect, he probably started on that drug because it was the least expensive option, and then stayed on it. More recently, the drug-of-choice has become alprazolam (a Valium derivative), an anti-anxiety. Sani's being weaned from amitriptyline and started alprazolam this morning. He has most of the common side-effects: loss of motor-control (staggering & poor jumping ability), hyperactivity, increased vocalization & friendliness. Happily, he doesn't exhibit the disinhibition of aggression, which was my biggest fear. I don't need him taking on the dog.
Read as a list, those side-effects are no big deal. In reality, he's driving me up the wall. He's walked across my keyboard a half-dozen times this morning. He's thrown himself at me like the proverbial drunken prom date, and missed, then let me brush him. When I pick him up, he's limp (scary, given his normal wiry muscle-tone). He's talking more than Tabby. He staggers like his legs "went to sleep," struggles to land a jump (up or down), and can't run really straight. (all of which catch the dog's attention) Perhaps worst, and not a common side-effect, he's got the munchies -- bad. I finally fed him an extra meal. He was staggering around the kitchen counters, rummaging in the sink, perilously near to knocking glassware to the floor, pillaging the still-warm, just-used breakfast pans. Doubtless, the dog's having taken herself for a 3-hour walk this morning contributed to my irritation, as well. I hoped I was done with major fence work.
Well, here's hoping it works. We'll know in a month, or so.
