Question:
I haven't been on in awhile... but if any of you remember some of my other posts, you'll probably recall that Taz is appropriately named. It gets better...

Taz is a 3.5 yr old, neutered male. I've had him since he was so young he could barely walk, so his history is 100% with me. He is 99% an indoor cat. He does go outside, but never leaves the yard and has never had a direct encounter with any stray cats. I have 3 other cats in the house, all spayed females, all approx. 7 yrs old. There is also a 3 yr old maltese x dog (male, neutered).

Taz is a large cat- he currently weighs about 21 lbs. He's not obese, but he is a little chubby. His whole life he's been desperate for food, the kind of cat who behaves more like a "food hound" dog. I tried a few times leaving him a gravity feeder for a few days away, and I'm sure the whole thing was empty within an hour of my departure. As such, I found and got for him an automatic pet feeder. He gets 4 feedings a day, every day. His current schedule has him eating 2 units of food @ 3am, 9am & 5:15pm. He then gets 3 units of food @ 11:15pm (I can't currently remember, but I think that 1/4 cup was 4 units). I know that for his size, he hardly eats any food, but it was really tough to get him down to this weight, and I'm not willing to let him get fat again. He eats DVP Natural Balance Reduced Dry Cat Food.

Taz has had the feeder since November, I believe. We've changed the schedule a couple times, the most recent being about 2 weeks ago, when he started attacking the girls in the middle of the night. He used to have a noon feeding instead of the 3am one, but since I know he sleeps all day, we thought it was better if we didn't interrupt him during the day and have that feeding at night. It has reduced his attacks on the girls in the middle of the night.

He *still* (though a little less) attacks the girls just after his 11pm feeding. He also will stalk them, or just sit next to the kennel where they eat (magnetic cat door that he can't get through), and either prevent them from going in, or from coming out. The stress level is high; Rusty hisses at him everytime he comes into her view.

But now we have another problem. At first, I thought it was just because we'd taken a vacation in February and left the neighbours to take care of the cats. But then when my computer got sprayed a second time, and then my serger (thankfully covered in what amounts to a plastic bag cover), and then my fiance's subwoofer next to his TV, and then his bookshelf with magazines.... obviously it goes beyond just being mad at us for leaving for a few days in February. The last straw came last night, when fiance actually CAUGHT Taz spraying the serger (again), just after we'd gone to bed. (Note; my computer, and the serger sit on a table directly over the kennel where the girls eat, but the bookshelf, TV/subwoofer are down 2 floors)

So now obviously we're both really upset. Taz recently got over a bout of diarrhea, which was brought on by a bad batch of food--he spent 4 days in "quarantine" in the bathroom until it cleared up, but then pooped (solid but slightly mucosy) in the middle of our bed twice, in the kitchen once and in the hallway another time. That was nearly a month ago.

So I've booked him in for a trip to the vet to make sure that everything is ok, but I'm concerned about that, too, because last time I took him to the vet (just for his regular yearly check & vaccines), he was incredibly grouchy, yowling and very difficult to handle. I'm trying a vet closer to home, but I don't know if it'll be better.

The only other thing that I can think of that might be contributing to this is that there have been a LOT of stray cats around our house lately. Every morning after a snow, there are fresh tracks both in the front and back yards. Almost every week, we can hear (and sometimes see) big tom cats fighting (usually in the middle of the night, but we actually had to break one up in our car port in the middle of the day and one of the girls was outside at the time!), and in the last year that we've been there, I've personally trapped 5 cats. I don't own a cat trap, so I have to borrow one from the city, which makes it more difficult to get one when the weather is good and when I know the cats are around.

Basically, what I'm looking for here is help from anyone who's been through this. I do not want to have to find Taz a new home, if it's the stress of the other cats that's bothering him. But if he doesn't stop spraying in the house, not even the best no-kill shelter in the WORLD will be able to find him a new home. If he's that miserable, the best thing for him would probably be euthanasia, and that thought makes me incredibly sad. He's my baby; the only pet I've had since infancy, and I'm the only "mom" he's ever known. I don't want him to go away, don't want him to die, but I can't put up with him spraying all over my house. I love him, but I draw the line at spraying!

So when I go to the vet with him, are there any medications that might help? Like some sort of anti-anxiety kitty pill? Something to take away his aggression, anger, anxiety, whatever it is? I've tried the herbal calmers, and they don't seem to do any good.
Do I need to go and buy a cat trap, to try to get rid of some of the cats in the neighbourhood? I can understand how their presence would make him upset and cause him to have some territorial drives, but will their absence make him stop?

Any advice, suggestions, things to try...?
My vet appointment is booked for 4:40 this afternoon.

Thanks,
Melissa

Answer:
Is he spraying or peeing? They are quite different. If he's peeing he'll squat and take a leak, leaving a puddle. If he's spraying he'll stand and squirt a mist backwards against a horizontol surface. There usually isn't much actual liquid involved in a spraying and it can be difficult to find the source of the stench.

I'm no expert but if he was having poop problems only a month ago, seems to me it is probably all related. How many litterboxes do you have? Covered or uncovered or a mix of both? Feeding him anything besides the Natural Balance kibble? Have you changed his litter or food lately? How clean are the litter boxes - maybe he won't use one that contains any poop or pee from the other kitties?

But if he doesn't stop spraying in the house, not even the best no-kill shelter in the WORLD will be able to find him a new home. If he's that miserable, the best thing for him would probably be euthanasia, and that thought makes me incredibly sad. He's my baby; the only pet I've had since infancy, and I'm the only "mom" he's ever known. I don't want him to go away, don't want him to die, but I can't put up with him spraying all over my house. I love him, but I draw the line at spraying!
Ack!! He'd still be fit to be a barn cat!!

Answer:
Melissa,my Rocky started spraying on occasion when he was 4 yrs old,he is now almost 11 and still does it
The vet at one time gave me a calming drug in a salve form to put on the inside of his ear,but it did not help much,got his ear infected.
Rocky gets very upset with any strange cats outside and as soon as he spots one,or hears one he will mark HIS house.
I have spent a fortune on Natures Miracle to clean any area and it really works.
To me giving him up was never an option,I love him too much,but it's no fun for sure
I (not me,the vet)would give him a thorough exam,bloodtests etc...to make sure he is healthy,then I would try some calming meds,he is obviously stressed,possibly because of goes on outside with strange cats and living with 4 females(would drive any male batty )
Good Luck!!

Answer:
I have two neutered male cats, I've had them since they were kittens and have also been dealing with the spraying problem, mine is even worse because there aren't any males outside bothering them, they live together! So you can imagine, one sprays, then the other one goes checks it out and will decide whether he should spray or not. A female could be spraying too, trying to mark out territory in the house, upsetting your male.

It could have to do with the hostility, my cats also guard the door to the stairs which is where the litter boxes are, so when one cat goes down the other will try to bully the other, this is something I pay close attention to because usually after is a squabble, and bickering can lead to spraying, which leads to hubby getting super grumpy. So I try to stop it before it starts, I'll shoo the bully away, which usually works.

So far, what I've been doing is keeping a really close eye on them, if I see one of them sniffing around and looking for a place, which they seem to have staked out already, I'll say "ah ah ah" (which they now understand) loudly, so that they know that I'm not crazy about it. And then it's all about the clean-up, neutralizing all of the smell, if they get away with it.

The spraying starts happening especially if they've made some successful attempt to get outside, mine are strictly indoor, but they hear the call of the wild very often, so make many many attempts, it's to a point where I have to put them in a room just so we can leave the house, because Slim is so very ambitious.

I don't rememebr if I've used the nature's miracle, I use nok out, which works quite well.

I'm sorry that I can't give better advice. I would have suggested trying to deter the cats from outside your house, but if you let your other cats out, then you wouldn't want to deter them.

I wish you the best of luck.
that all works out.

Answer:
I think that male cats even if neutered still have the need to mark their territory especially if they feel threatened in some way or if they happen to be able to smell or hear a female in heat. (Remember their senses are much higher than ours.) It's a natural thing for them to do. And shouldn't be punished. It's just up to us to clean up and discourage it in inappropriate spots when possible.

Cats outside definitely are a factor, especially if he can go out (even if he stays near the house) and smell their spray, or hear females or hear the cat fights. All of that calls to his wild side. Plus being kept away from food the females can have would definitely put his nose out of joint. Having a household with many cats is a big juggling act, I know. You have to try different things, sometimes many many things before it gets to running smoothly.

{Oh and I know that having him spray your things is an inconvenience, but to throw him out or worse for doing something that is natural for a male cat... well that's just so sad to me... and what's sadder is how often people think it has to come to that. My cats pee on my things, puke everywhere, I find poop in the oddest places if they are mad... and Palomine sprays... but not for one second have I ever thought that they needed to go because of it. We domesticated these animals, we take them in willingly and lovingly, therefor all of their problems become our responsibilities.}Sry...kind of a rant... not meant to be unhelpful.

I really hope you give this lots of time and that you can find a way to live together in harmony. And please if you can't, rehome him through a rescue group, do not put him to sleep.

Answer:
Phew,in a weird way I am pleased other cats spray too,I thought Rocky was an exception..
Over the years,we have kind of adjusted things to protect items like computers,Tv's etc..,a desk with doors for the PC,armoirs for the TV's...seldom leave anything on the floor,like bags,purses,clothes etc...just in case.
We have no more carpeting,only area-rugs,floors can easily be cleaned.
+like Dahmer says,you have to be vigilant,often if I catch Rocky sniffing out a place,I'll say"Rocky No!!"and he'll stop..and look guilty.
He knows he's doing something wrong,but it's probably an urge he cannot stop.
Yelling and screaming or worse yet,hitting a cat,will only stress him out more.
My cats as everyone probably knows,go outside supervised and once outside,they ALL spray(3 males)to cover up the smell of other cats who dared go to their backyard at night
Also,although it is certainly unpleasant to most,cleaning up pee is not such a big deal to me anymore,if you have and love your animals this is often the consequences you have to live with,be it from a dog or a cat.
I know,were I to give up Rocky(never in a million years),it would be his death-sentence and for what??
A harsh punishment for what to him unfortunately,is natural protective behavior
I really recommend Natures Miracle for clean-up,most Pet-supply stores sell it,it removes any smell,any other cleaners like bleach or amoniabased will not do the job.
So,Melissa not much to offer in terms of advice,but I hope you reconsider euthanizing such a young cat,he certainly does not deserve to be killed for a problem that probably cannot be stopped,but can be made easier to live with.

Answer:
Thanks all for your posts...

To answer the questions:
- It is definetly spraying. I had issues for 4 years with Aubrie peeing on the floor, I definetly know it's not squatting peeing, and it's definetly not any of the girls, as Taz was caught in the act, and the urine has that distinctive "male cat" smell.
- It's not litter box related, as we have 4 litter boxes available to all the cats and an additional one which only the girls can get to (in the kennel; Aubrie's solution). They are all open boxes, and Taz still uses them most of the time, just he's been spraying maybe 1-2 times a week for about a month.

Ummm... what else was asked?
- Food or litter have not changed, except for when he got sick, I exchanged the bag of food he was eating (Sierra was also eating it and also got sick but not as bad) for another of the same, from a different batch. Not much different than buying a new bag of food. While he was sick, I wasn't even feeding him canned food, I was just soaking his dry kibble in warm water to get more water into him.
- Deterring the cats outside sounds like a good idea, but it's not a reasonable expectation. Despite the licensing and cat control bylaws, people don't care about their cats around here, and let them wander wherever they want. Even if I could keep them out of my yard, I can't keep them from walking past, or spraying the fence, or even from pooping in my front flower beds (the MOST horrible thing EVER!!!!), and all of that leaves their scent, which I'm sure ticks Taz off. I know that even Rusty & Sierra are bothered by the cat fights, and I'm sure you all know how loud those can be--even if I could keep stray cats 100m away from my house on all sides, the cats could still hear the fights! :(

Ok... so, update.
Took Taz to the vet yesterday, and he was remarkably well behaved. I think I'm going to switch him there simply because he hates car rides, too, and the long drive to my normal vet made him impossible to check.
So of course, being a normal animal, he peed like probably 5 minutes before we went to the vet (in the litter box, I assume, since he didn't spray anything that I know of), so the vet couldn't get a urine sample from him. She took his temperature, and it was fine, and there's no obvious signs of illness, but she sent me home with plastic cat litter (whoever makes this stuff is obviously rich, cause it cost $7 for 4 oz, not even enough to cover the bottom of my smallest litter box!) and a syringe to suck up pee when he finally peed. Poor Taz had to spend the night in the bathroom again, with a BIG bowl of water, while I waited for him to pee. Checked on him before I walked the dog this morning and he hadn't peed, but when I got back, he had, so I sucked it up and took it in. Haven't heard yet what the results were, but I'll for sure post here when I do find out. Based on his temperature, his other vitals and her exam, the vet said that it was probably stress.
On a side note, the vet told me that something like 95% of the cats she sees with a UTI (urinary tract infection) weigh more than 15 lbs, so if you have large cats, it's in your (and their) best interest to try to get them less than that weight. Don't ask me why that's the "special" weight, but it seems to be. Taz currently weighs 7.8kg (17 lbs), so he is the lightest he's been since he was a kitten. He'll never be less than 15 lbs, though.
Anyhow.. to deal with his stress, we talked about a few options. She suggested that the first thing I do is try to get rid of the other cats outside, trap them, use some of that cat repellant spray or pellets around the yard, basically whatever I need to do that's legal and humane. Obviously this is going to be a challenge, but worth it for the entire furry family's sake. This is something I'm going to get working on ASAP. At the very least, maybe I can get rid of a few of them, and reduce the stress a little.
Then she said usually what she suggests first is that people try the Feliway, either the spray or the air-freshener style. If you don't know about this stuff, you can get it at most pet stores, and it's "happy cat" pheromones. I have no idea how they get it, or how they bottle it, but it's fairly expensive. However, this, if it works (not all cats are affected by it), this would be probably the easiest solution, with the least side effects, and could help the girls be happier too. So ruling out any UTI, I'm going to stop on my way home tonight and pick up some Feliway.
If the Feliway doesn't work (and I have no idea how long the vet would suggest I wait to see if it'll work), then she said there's a huge array of anti-anxiety drugs that we can try. Usually what happens is that they dose the cats based on their weight, and it often makes them pretty sedate, dopey, sometimes causes them to be unsteady on their feet and wobbly (which I imagine would be a state that its pretty hard to be upset in), and then after about a week, we start bringing the dose down, until they're completely off of the drug, and hope that while they were doped up, they learned that there's nothing to be so worked up about. I'm assuming since she said there's lots of these drugs, that we might have to try more than one before we find one that sends Taz to his "happy place" and makes him forget his anxieties. However, as with all drugs, there are always side effects, and obviously it'd be better to avoid those if possible. So we will see.

Regarding euthanasia... I know it's horrible to even think about it, but I'm trying to face reality. I don't have the money to replace all the carpets in my house with wood or linoleum or other hard flooring, nor do I really want to. But that doesn't even seem to be the issue with him, as he pees on other things, like the computer, the serger, bookshelves, etc. Even if I got rid of all the carpet, there's still things like the bed, bath mats, the couch... all which are soft surfaces that he could pee on. And even if I found a way to get rid of all the soft surfaces in the house, that wouldn't make it any easier to tolerate him peeing on a computer or a bookshelf. We all know that no one would adopt a cat that sprays out of anxiety/stress, and though I love him, I can't stomach the idea of him spending the rest of his life (which could be a very long time) in a no-kill shelter. If I can't find a way to help him cope with his stress, I think it'd be a more compassionate solution to send him beyond the rainbow bridge to a place where there is no stress. As much as I love him, and trust me, I've put up with a lot of urine, diarrhea, barf, and other bodily fluids from all of my pets and still love them, if I can't help them be happy here, I don't think it's fair to ask them to stay and be miserable.

As for cleaning products, I should have bought stock in the company that manufacturers PetZyme (available at PetSmart only), as when I first got Cube, I went through a 4L jug of this stuff every week, at $15 bucks a crack. I still use this for all pet-related cleaning, and it works wonderfully. It is an enzymatic cleaner as well as the Nature's Miracle, but I found it works better at getting out the smell (I did try Nature's Miracle and it didn't seem to make any difference to the pets, they just went right back to the same spot). You might want to give it a try, too.

Anyhow, I guess that's all I have today for updates. Now I have to track down a place in Calgary where I can BUY a humane cat trap, get it to the city for them to "register" it, so I can start trapping. Then I have to figure out what of the cat repellent products might actually work, and get those put out around my house/yard. Of course, if they really do work, then it might be really tough to trap cats! Hmmm... will have to figure this out.
Then I have to get some Feliway, and try to make Taz happy. Maybe he needs cat therapy... anyone have any recommendations on cat therapists in Calgary?

Well... I guess that's all I have for today. Sorry about the length (as usual my posts always seem very wordy).

I'll repost when I have an update from the vet.
Melissa

Answer:
Re Feliway ... I've never used it but I've heard great things. Supposedly it helps stop them from spraying and makes them more comfortable (we were strongly considering it during an introduction of a new cat) but also they say that you can put it in those spots where the cat has been spraying, and he will stop spraying there, even if it doesn't stop spraying altogether. They don't spray where they rub their faces (it is the pheromene from their facial glands)

So it might be very good in the immediate term whether it actually solves the problem or not - you can perhaps stop him from spraying the computer etc until a more permanent solution is discovered

Answer:
Melissa,my Rocky sprays every day and you are right,Natures Miracle is no deterrent,maybe I'll try what you suggested.
The calming meds Rocky was on,did not work,Rocky is not normally stressed,he is a wonderful velcro cat.
Trying to trap cats in your yard,is not going to be easy,when we see a cat out there hubby goes out on the deck,makes a lot of noise(neighbors think,he has a problem )and the cat runs off...they are not strays,I know where every cat lives.
I do honestly not think your cat is miserable,I know Rocky is not,they spray to make sure whoever is out there,knows this is his home.
He does not know the other cat cannot come in.
But that's beeing a cat,does not mean he is miserable,you are with his spraying,but I am sure Taz is not.
You have to find a way to protect computers etc...Rocky will spray on wood-furniture,or the wall and it can easily be cleaned up,definetly not something I like,but something we have learned to deal with.
I am assuming Taz is neutered,the smell should not stay,if you clean it,unneutered cats are a different story.
The way I feel,I have had Rocky since he was a kitten,I am responsible for him and I love him,ending his life would never be an option,especially not for something like this.Good Luck to you and Taz!

Answer:
Chico, maybe you should try the Feliway... not the PetZyme. PetZyme isn't a deterrent... neither is Feliway but Feliway might have enough "happy juice" to make both Rocky and Taz stop spraying. If you really can't deal with Rocky spraying, maybe there's a different kind of drug that you can try to ease his anxiety.

I call them strays, but I also know that most of the cats have homes (I do not know where those homes are, but I know they exist for most of the cats). However, humane traps are quite effective (at least here) when the cats aren't getting quite enough to eat, or just smell something really yummy. I use a combination of tuna, bacon bits and catnip as "bait" and I've had a lot of success, as long as it doesn't freeze!

Anyhow... I just talked to the vet. There is nothing physically wrong with Taz (as suspected), so he now officially has an anxiety disorder. :( She suggested I try the Feliway, and if that doesn't seem to have any effect within a week, then I can consider trying some drugs. So I am stopping tonight to get some, if I can find a store still open by the time I get done the stuff I need to do tonight.

We are, however, facing a different problem... Taz has struvite crystals in his urine. Not a ton, but enough to be of concern. The vet suggests that I change his food to either a prescription vet food (ha ha ha ha ha ha) or to something that is formulated for crystals. She suggested that a switch to an entirely canned diet may be best. So now I'm on the search for a diet change, or some other option, for solving yet another problem with Taz. Now I've got anxiety and crystals to deal with.

Nothing with a cat named Taz is simple, is it? I should have known better when I picked that name!

Oh well... anyhow, I'll keep you updated here on the progress of his anxiety issues, and I'm going to search out (or create) another thread for food suggestions.

Thanks,
Melissa

Answer:
Melissa,sorry to hear about Taz problem,struvite crystals in his urine to me,is definetly a medical problem,might even be the reason he is spraying or maybe he is peeing.
When you find something canned that he likes,add some warm water to it..I have always fed my 3 male cats,canned(twice/day)and dry as freefeed,ever since about 25yrs ago,when my beautiful Maine Coon died from kidneyproblems at only 3yrs of age.
I still remember my wonderful vet at the time,telling me NEVER to feed a neutered male only dry food.
Of course the food-choices are very different today,than it was that long ago,as is the treatment,today Tigger might not have had to die

Answer:
Just a question but if the vet thinks the spraying is anxiety related did she suggest any of the meds made for that? I heard a lady at the vet here talking about a drug hers was on to make the urge to spray less urgent. Maybe your vet has heard of them? And my brothers cat has the crystals too and is doing great on his special diet. Wet is always better for male cats, the more you can get them to eat the better I've always been told. Even if you can get them to drink tuna juice, it's all about hydration.

Answer:
Sorry to hear of your problems. My vet actually told me that crystals often go paw-in-paw with stress. Lee Valley Tools has motion activated sprinklers that might help you with the stray cats in you back yard. Here is the link if you are interested.
http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page...t=2,51555&ap=2

Answer:
Thanks for all the support folks... and sorry I haven't updated re: food. Unfortunately for me, on my way home with the Feliway & armed with info from a pet store I trust, my car broke down, and I had to get it towed to the shop. After getting home (finally), and organizing the next couple days in terms of vehicles, I forgot to post.

I guess it's as good as anywhere to put it here...
The wonderful lady at Pet Planet suggested that I try Taz on Eagle Pack Holistic line of dry food. She said of all the brands they sell (only what I would consider high-end commercial food), it is lowest in magnesium & ash, which seem to be the two big contributors to crystals in cats. Unfortuately, they were out of stock on all 3 varieties at the time, but I did find another location yesterday which had some. I checked the website as well, and EPH Anchovy, Sardine
& Salmon Meal Formula is also hypoallergenic and suitable for weight control, two things which are also important to me and Taz. So I bought some of that, and I've been feeding him little bit of it, soaked in water until I can fully transition him to it in the next couple days.
The pet lady also suggested that I go to a health food store and pick up some cranberry capsules and sprinkle about half a capsule on his food everyday. I found at an organic food store near where I work a bottle of "super concentrated" cranberry capsules, 180 capsules and 500mg of cranberry juice extract per capsule. Since I got those, I've sprinkled half a capsule on his soaked (new) food twice a day, so he's getting a whole capsule everyday. I don't know why I didn't think of this, but cranberry is fantastic for the bladder! I had a bladder infection a few years ago and the doctor told me that while the infection was present, it would actually be more difficult for my body to clear it (even with antibiotics) if I drank water and that I should drink cranberry juice. Let me tell you, those 10 days I got *very* tired of cranberry juice, but it really did help. So I'm sure that the cranberry will help Taz, too.

In stress-related news, the Feliway is plugged in (I got the diffuser one), and I also have decided to dedicate a period of time everyday to cuddling and soothing Taz. Today he seems happier already, but I might just be imagining it.
Unfortunately, I think I will have to take him to the vet again, as he pooped on our bed last night and it was bloody. :( Wasn't diarrhea, but I don't like the blood, and obviously it not being in the litter box is another worrisome sign. I'm going to give him a few more hours and see if his next poo is also bloody, and if it is, then he's going to the vet to get THAT attended to. It always seems to be something...

(Oh, and it turns out I somehow lost a bolt on my distributor rotor which is why my car died. It's fixed and was covered "under warranty" as my mechanic worked on the distributor rotor last year. I just have to go and pick up the car now.)

So that's my update... no progress on the cats outside. Unfortunately, I can't/won't be getting the sprinkler thingy, Teri, as it's often in the winter time I have the most problems with the cats, and the water lines will freeze. In a warmer climate, perhaps... but not here. Thanks, though.

Back to cuddling with Taz,
Melissa

Answer:
Hey Melissa,

So sorry you are having trouble with Taz... That is such a tough issue to deal with. Right now I have two young neutered boys. One has anxiety and the younger one sprays around the house. He is about the same age as Taz. My vet also found the crystals in him too. It sounds liek you are doing all that you can and I commend you for that. I tried Feliway and others but my best bet was to give both boys more room, gave the youngest clomicalm (super low does) and they are doing a bit better. I am with everyone else the Petastic, Feliway, litterbox and space are all good ideas. Good luck and hope things calm down. If you do happen to give him away, try a rescue where someone will not give him back or just abandon him, it sound sliek you love him alot so I am sure you will watch out where he goes.

Answer:
Update re: the poop situation. I did take Taz to the vet, as he had another bloody poop (in the kitchen) last night. I collected it and took him and the poop to the vet this afternoon. As I suspected, there's nothing wrong with him. The vet did a fecal analysis and it came back clear. Possibly an overgrowth of bacteria which could cause a small rupture in the intestinal wall and cause the blood, but there's no parasites, no sign of infection and really nothing abnormal (obviously other than the blood). So now I have a supply of Clavamox to give Taz and what they say is a 3-5 day supply of vet food (but it's really not even going to cover 2 days). He said if it doesn't get better within a week, then he needs to go for blood work to see if he has some low-grade pancreatitis. Oh, and I'm supposed to give him plain yogurt to get the good bacteria levels back up.

Other than that... the good news is that he hasn't sprayed in the house since I plugged in the Feliway thingy, and is overall more cuddly with me and seems to be much more relaxed. So maybe it'll work... Will see how much his stress level increases when I start giving him pills later tonight!

Thanks for the support guys!
Melissa

Answer:
Melissa,don't be too overly optimistic the spraying has stopped,I hope it has,but you'll be just more upset if it happens again.
These little guys have issues,stress for different reasons,I wish we knew why
My Rocky has NO reason to feel stressed,as far as I know,other than cats outside,he has a great life and I love him to bits.
He gets along great with both Vinnie and Chico,so why does he spray,even when there are no strange cats outside
It's a mystery to me..
Good luck getting Taz to eat yogurt,my cats would not touch it

Answer: