Kitty Valium?? **UPDATE insight needed

[katherineyyyy]

Hello! My cat was recently diagnosed with feline psychogenic alopecia, which is a fancy way to say that he’s stressed out and has been overgrooming/obsessively licking and it’s causing him to lose a lot of fur on his tummy and back legs.

My vet prescribed him Valium to help him stop the licking, and he gets 1/2 of a 5mg pill twice a day (he’s a big boy). I was told his behavior should not change (i.e. he should not be acting drunk) but after the second day I’ve noticed an extreme difference in his reaction time and just overall clumsiness and sluggishness. He’s been stumbling while walking, has fallen off my bed multiple times, and is just generally not with it.

I called an emergency vet hotline this morning as my vet is not open on weekends, and they told me it was okay to skip his dose tonight.

I plan on calling the vet tomorrow and definitely decreasing the amount, but I’m still skeptical that Valium is the right solution for him. I think it’ll be difficult to pinpoint what exactly is stressing him out, since kitties are so sensitive, but I have a feeling it’s something or a combination of things that are probably out of my control. I’ve had him since I was fifteen, he went through four years of college with me, moving houses and roommates every year and being there for the chaos that is college without really caring too much, and now after I’ve gotten my first full time job he’s started to stress!

Has anyone had any experience giving their kitty Valium for stress? What has worked for other people whose cats are obsessively licking? We have ruled out thyroid, fleas, and skin problems but is there something else that could be causing him to overgroom and lose hair besides stress?

I know that I should expect some behavioral changes especially in the first couple days of medicating him but it’s making me really worried!

[Horsegal984]

I would be looking at something like Prozac or amitryptilline for long term use. Valium is not the best choice because it is so sedating and is relatively short acting.

I would ask my vet about another option, as this seems like a bit of an odd first choice.

[Pancakes]

Oral valium tablets can cause hepatic necrosis in cats. It’s idiosyncratic, but it’s possible, so I never prescribe it for cats.
Xanax (alprazolam) is what I usually prescribe for cats instead.

That said…for a long-term behavioral issue, xanax or valium are going to be way too sedating, and like Horsegal said, they are short acting. Prozac or clomipramine (Clomicalm) are more reasonable choices.

In my experience, cats who overgroom usually do so in the area that is bothering them. I.e. cats who have urinary tract issues tend to overgroom in the hind end, cats with stomach issues overgroom in their stomach, and so forth. If you’ve ruled out internal issues via abdominal ultrasound, urinalysis, or x-rays, then you may be able to move onto behavioral medications.

I’ve never seen your cat or examined him – just my two cents.
I’d ask your vet about ruling out internal issues, stop the valium, and discuss other options. Or seek another vet opinion.

[DrBeckett]

I agree with Horsegal that amitriptylline or fluoxetine are you best bet. I personally prefer fluoxetine. No particular reason, just what I’m used to prescribing.

[idlemoon]

After you try all the drugs mentioned above and they do not work, I would work him up for allergies.
Lisa

[katherineyyyy]

Update on this:

I wish I would have done more research before trusting my vet… This past Saturday I noticed my kitty wasn’t eating and took him to an emergency clinic. His bloodwork came back showing signs of acute and severe liver failure and he ended up being put to sleep that night.

I’ve since done some more research on the original vet… turns out he was ARRESTED for animal abuse charges in 2000! But unfortunately good ol’ South Carolina state law protects vets from animal cruelty charges so he received a slap on the wrist and was able to reopen his practice. I have contacted him to inform him that my cat died because of the medication he prescribed, but haven’t heard anything back yet.

Is this grounds for reporting him to the state boards? Based on history it doesn’t look like reporting him would do much, but I’d at least like to do something. I am devastated and disappointed that my cat died from something so avoidable, and will never understand why my vet thought it was the right decision to put his life at risk for such a minor condition.

Any insight would be appreciated

[Lazy_Palomino_Hunter]

Oh my gosh, I am so sorry! That is heartbreaking.

I don’t have any insight on reporting the vet, but I’m sure someone will.

Your poor kitty.

[Pancakes]

[QUOTE=katherineyyyy;8665831]
Update on this:

I wish I would have done more research before trusting my vet… This past Saturday I noticed my kitty wasn’t eating and took him to an emergency clinic. His bloodwork came back showing signs of acute and severe liver failure and he ended up being put to sleep that night.

I’ve since done some more research on the original vet… turns out he was ARRESTED for animal abuse charges in 2000! But unfortunately good ol’ South Carolina state law protects vets from animal cruelty charges so he received a slap on the wrist and was able to reopen his practice. I have contacted him to inform him that my cat died because of the medication he prescribed, but haven’t heard anything back yet.

Is this grounds for reporting him to the state boards? Based on history it doesn’t look like reporting him would do much, but I’d at least like to do something. I am devastated and disappointed that my cat died from something so avoidable, and will never understand why my vet thought it was the right decision to put his life at risk for such a minor condition.

Any insight would be appreciated :([/QUOTE]

I am SO sorry. This is why I said above I don’t prescribe oral valium tablets for cats… it is a known possible effect and in my opinion, not worth the risk.

You can report this to the state veterinary board, especially if he did not inform you of the possible side effects beforehand. When side effects are minor such as vomiting, diarrhea, etc., sometimes veterinarians will not disclose them completely. When they are fatal, like with the oral valium, they should be disclosed. This is my opinion alone, but I think I’d at least let the state board know.

Unless he did bloodwork before prescribing the medication, there may be some reasonable doubt there was a pre-existing subclinical liver condition. This may make it hard to prove the connection. The medical board will review the records and decide, though.

Again…I’m so very sorry. I wish there was a way to give you more comfort at this difficult time.

[Pippigirl]

I’m so sorry for your loss How heart breaking.

[TC3200]

Sorry for your loss. ((hugs))

[ThreeWishes]

I am deeply sorry for your loss My heart goes out to you.

[Nootka]

OMG I am so sorry

[Marshfield]

I am so sorry for your loss. As Pancakes said, yes, grounds for reporting to the state board. Whether or not anything will come of it is impossible to say.