ischiocavernosusmyectomy

I read with great interest the story about 22ft of cat spray. I too have a probelm. I have 12 cats (10 of them boys) All are fixed, of course. One in particular sprays like mad. I have had some success with Feliway and Valium. I like Simple Solution for cats for cleaning and deoderizing. Out of desperation, Dax is going to have to have surgery. Specifically, ischiocavernosusmyectomy. This is the cutting of the ischiocavernosus muscle(it controls his ability to aim). As my vet puts it, if it doesn't stop him then he will "pee in his pants". It is effective in stopping spraying about 50% of the time according to what I have read. Anybody else familiar with or had any experience with this surgery? I really HATE to do this to him but I can't keep up with him. I have two others that spray some but not this bad. I guess I am lucky with so many boys that the problem isn't worse. Anyway, any input would be welcome. Thanks, Anne

"As my vet puts it, if it doesn't stop him then he will 'pee in his pants'."

I don't have this problem but your comment reminded me of something that cat breeders do -- they put kitty diapers on their intact males. I don't know if this is a possibility but I thought I'd throw it out there. Good luck!

Where do you live? I have never heard of that surgery. Have you gotten more than one vet's opinion on this?

I solved my spraying problem by installing the cat fence-in system on my fence and now all the sprayers are outside cats. Most of them were glad. It actually cut down their anxiety level. Of 10 sprayers only 4 actually spray now that they are outside. Isn't that something. They are happy and I don't have to spend my days and nights searching for where the pee odor is coming from.

I had problems with females too, it wasn't just the males.

Also, let me mention to you that out of necessity I had to let a couple of the sprayers back in the house (they were ill) and since coming back in, they have stopped spraying. They lost their place in the ranking and now are at the bottom instead of the top.

If possible maybe you could get your male out for a while and then reintroduce him and see what happens.

Do you ever catch your cats spraying so you can verbally correct them? Red wine vinegar is also a deterent if you put it around in little cups or lids. Just a bit is all that's needed. They hate the smell. A friend of mine has a problem with one cat who wants to get on the kitchen table and pee. She put the vinegar and the behavior stopped. Also, if your cats eat canned food, you can add chamomille tea 1/2 tsp. daily to their food and it works as a calming agent.

Good Luck

Well, that info about the vinegar is interesting. Unfortunately, I live in Virginia Beach, VA near a very busy road. I don't have any way to fence them in. We also have an excess of wildlife (raccoons, possums, birds, squirrels) visiting regularly (thanks to the destruction of their natural habitat by the #@*% developers nearby). My cats do have access to a screened in second story deck/porch.

The surgery was suggested by my vet (he is Czech). He is very highly respected in his field around here and has saved one of my cats when everyone else gave up. I have been going o him for many years, so I do trust his opinion. The surgery itself was also mentioned in a paper on feline behavior a friend (vet) of mine had. I do plan to look at diapers but I doubt Dax will accept them. I realize that the dinamics of the clowder will fluctuate and this will have a certain effect on who the alpha cat is. Dax's problem is more anxiety rather than dominance.

We are currently rearranging our house and I plan to fashion more "up" places for the cats. Hope that helps with space and comfort. Thanks again for the suggestions. Anne

I just had one thing jump out at me in your post. I have 13 cats right at the moment, but we live in the country and have acreage and our cats are inside/outside. I don't know how big your home is, but it could just be that you might have to many cats for the area that you have for them. Spraying is a territorial part of their marking their space. Cat have to have so much personal space before they start to feel threatened. Someone on this board long ago shared how much space that actually is. maybe that person will see this thread and again share the information. Last year, I had 23 cats and successfully found homes for some of them, or farmers that needed good mousers. But I can't imagine even in our big two story farmhouse having 10 inside only cats without the type of conflict you are experiecing.

Actually, our house is 2 stories and we have about 2500 square available for the cats (a couple of rooms are closed to them). When I finish redecorating there will be more vertical space (I have been studying the Cat's House). I hope this will help. I realize that cats need a certain amount of territory and I am surprised I don't have more conflict than I do. As for finding homes- there are too many cats around here and not enough homes. We are in a major military (read transient) area. All too many people feel that pets are disposable and simply leave them behind when they are transferred or the pet becomes an inconvenience You don't want to know what I would like to do to those folks! Add to that the fact that my husband's "we can't give him away, he CHOSE us" attitude and you can see what I am up against. (sigh) Aside from that, our guys have been with us long enough now that we have all bonded. It would be REALLY hard to part with any now.

Thanks for the input and advice. I love this site. You get so much moral support. I do plan to call a local breeder or two before next week to see if I can try something else. I am a bit afraid that the surgery may add to Dax's anxiety. I'll keep everyone posted. Anne

The kitty diapers referred to earlier are called STUD PANTS in case you are wondering.

Anne have you also tried feliway spray? I know it helps me tremendously when I get a sprayer here at the house. I usually spray it on a cloth and let kitty sniff it and it calms him or her down quite rapidly.

Actually, I should own stock in the Feliway company! But I never thought of using it thiat way. I have been regularly trying to spray all ove the house. I have had some success but this is an interesting alternative I will have to try. Thanks, Anne

P.S. I will look into the Stud Pants. Thanks

I'm sorry, but I just can't see putting pants on a cat.

I sure hope you can find another solution to your problem. Build him a big outdoor enclosure, find other cats he can get along with and let him do what he wants, to spray his heart out!

Have you tried oral medication yet?

Actually, Valium seems to be helping some. He is a bit sleepier than usual, though. I may postpone the surgery if I feel something else will help. I really HATE to put him through this.
Unfortunately, I can't shadow him 24/7 so I have to find a solution that works when I am not around. Thanks again for the suggestions, Anne

Have you tried Elavil? It tends not to make them as sleepy as valium. I'm sorry but that surgery sounds so radical to me. To interfere with his urine output just seems abnormal to me. I have 54 cats, 44 of which would spray in the house if they were allowed in, and at no time did my vet ever recommend that surgery. Also, even after the surgery won't he still have the urge to mark and if so, you'll still have urine all over the place.

Keep me posted as I'm worried about this surgery. Do you know of anyone else who has had the surgery for their pet that can tell you exactly what to expect afterwards?

I just think there has to be another solution than that surgery, even if it means finding him another home. One where he could live outside safely.

I forgot to ask, and you may have already mentioned it, but, is he neutered? I know neutering doesn't curb that bad behavior once they get in the habit however, if he isn't, neutering will help some.

Talk to you later.

Actually, I have put a hold on the surgery til I can get more info. Yes, he is neutered (all 12 of them are fixed, I am pretty rabid on that subject) . I will ask about the Elavil. I know that since I started him back on the Valium, he doesn't seem to spray as often. He also seems to have a diminished output when he does try. BTW the surgery does not interfere with urine output. It only eliminates the muscle that allows him to aim baskward. He is very affectionate but also pretty insecure. I am sure this is part of the problem. We have been trying to give him more attention

I will keep you posted on our progress. I hope to call a local breeder or two for suggestions next week.Thanks again for all the advice and support, Anne

JamieAnn just posted this in another thread. I thought you would be interested.


"Has anyone ever heard of piddle pants? It was a last resort for my male cat. I tried feliway, drugs (prozac, among others) tin foil over the soiled places and everything else I ever heard of. He's been wearing the pants for 3 months now. It's a pain to change him but he seems very happy and he's worth it. Just wondered if anyone else had ever tried these."

Well, I am always open to new ideas. I can try the pants but I am not sure how Dax will react. Of course, if that works I may 3-4 of the boys wearing them : I will be meeting with my vet next week and will discuss all the options with him. I will keep everyone posted on the progress of the situation. Thanks again for all the input, Anne

The piddle pants are from a company called Joybies (joybies.com) They really are working for us, although I did have to alter them a bit, because Bug figured out how to aim out of the tail hole! This is a cat that used to pee in the toilet! He's so smart, I wish I could reason with him. He just loves to spray. He still does, but at least I'm not always on my hands and knees with the cleaner. Making him wear the pants makes me feel very bad for him sometimes, but he really doesn't seem to mind them, except when I change them. Anyway, they are working for us. Let me know if you need more info.

I will look into the pants but I am not sure how well it would work. I know it keeps him from spraying (provided they stay on). What about when he needs to poop? Anne

Well, that's what I was just taking care of. The pants supposedly are just for spraying, but that didn't work for us. I had to close the hole up almost to his tail, because he figured out how to spray right out of it. When he poops I just have to change him. I use unscented baby wipes to clean him, and leave him in the bathroom for awhile to finish washing himself. I know this sounds really gross and inconvenient, but I dealt with the spraying for over 2 years. This really is less work. My cats are all inside cats( i built them an enclosure attached to the house)and him being an outdoor cat only just wasn't an option. Our house backs onto a busy road. I also knew noone else would put up with his bad habit. Besides I could never give away one of my babies! Anyway,it's working for me, although it's probably not a solution for everyone.
Jamie

OK, that was informative. Actually, I pretty much feel the same way and would be willing to "do for my babies" whatever it takes. As for giving one away , that's not an option. Even my husband said "he chose us" when I suggested the possibility of finding a home for the declawed Persian that wandered in (that was 2 years ago :LOL: ) I have a regular vet visit tomorrow and will discuss this with the doctor. He specializes in cats and is very interested in behaviour problems. I did go to the web site and look at the pants, oh my. I am not sure I can see Dax in one of these. Thanks again, Anne