Okay, so, I’ve got this cat, right? Sweetest thing, but she’s been having some issues. Over-grooming, peeing outside the box, the whole nine yards. It’s been a bit of a nightmare, to be honest. After trying just about everything, the vet suggests we try Prozac. Yeah, Prozac for cats. Who knew?
First, I head to the vet. The vet takes a good look at my fur baby, does some tests, and confirms that it’s probably anxiety causing all this. That’s when they mention fluoxetine, which is basically the generic name for Prozac. They explain that it’s a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI. Fancy, huh? Apparently, it helps regulate serotonin levels in the brain, which can help with anxiety and, therefore, some of these behavioral problems.
Now, getting the prescription was one thing. I then had to figure out how to actually get my hands on this stuff and how much it would cost. The vet gives me the dosage: 2 to 5 mg per day for my cat. Sounds simple enough, but let me tell you, getting a cat to take a pill is an Olympic sport.
Anyway, I start calling around to different pharmacies. I found out that the price can vary quite a bit depending on where you go and if you get the brand name, the Prozac, or the generic version, fluoxetine. On average, without any pet insurance, a month’s supply of brand-name Prozac was looking like it could be around $588.96 for 20 mg capsules. That’s a lot! Luckily, I found a place that offered the generic version for way less, about $2 per dose. It’s the same stuff, just without the brand name price tag.
I decided to go with the generic, fluoxetine, to save some cash. After all, it’s the same medication, and my wallet was already feeling pretty light after all those vet visits. It took a few weeks, but I started to see a change in my cat. She was calmer, the over-grooming reduced, and she started using the litter box again. It was such a relief!
A Few Things I Learned Along the Way:
- Dosage Matters: It’s super important to stick to the vet’s prescribed dosage. Too much or too little can cause problems.
- Patience is Key: It can take several weeks to see the full effects of the medication. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.
- Generic vs. Brand Name: The generic version (fluoxetine) works just as well as the brand name (Prozac) but can be significantly cheaper.
So, that’s my story about getting Prozac for my cat. It was a bit of a journey, but seeing my kitty back to her old self made it all worth it. If your cat’s having similar issues, it might be worth talking to your vet about it. Just be prepared for a bit of trial and error, and remember, every cat is different.