Although I try not to jump to conclusions, 2 facts that you have devulged about the kitty gave me a clue to her present problem(s).
IMPROPER SOCIALIZATION: Hand rearing most often produces behavior nightmares. This is because we humans can not effectively teach a kitten how to be a cat. The kitten gets all sorts of mixed signals and tends to more or less behave like a spoiled child. I have yet to see anyone (regardless of experience) raise a normal cat this way. Still I realize circumstances made it difficult, however, even if the mother fails to produce sufficient milk, it is best to supplement the kittens with feedings, and leave them together and with their mother until they are 8-12 weeks of age. Unfortunately people fail to understand the the maturing of kittens does not end as soon as they take solid food, when left alone it is perfectly natural for kittens to nurse until 6 months (provided the mother allows them to). The weeks 3-5 are times when the kittens learn how to take down prey (they practice this, by pouncing on one another, wrestling etc.mom brings home live prey to let them practice for real) This is also the time when they are taught by their mothers to bury their wastes and how to keep the nest tidy. From 5-8 weeks they learn how to be cats (social feline skills -learn to defend themselves, be confident, how to approach strange cats/situations etc.)
The second clue was the declaw procedure: (Here I tend to really get angry at the vets! whose duty it is to inform clients of the procedure and the likely behavior afterwards). Imagine waking up to find your 10 fingers gone -can no one see what that would do to a carnivorous prey animal? That it will breed insecurity? The behavior you describe is very much in keeping with kitten behavior (albeit a rambunctious one) what one needs to do is channel the energy into constructive behavior, not rip her claws out. Your vet should have councilled you against this procedure and instead suggest ways to channel her energy and show you how to clip the nails for the protection of small children.
Well whats done is done and I am sure you thought you were making the right decision with the tools on hand, so please don't take my comments as an attack on you. I think its important that you understand though, that these are events you can not change and thereby you may not be able to solve the behavior, but instead learn how to manage it. Even if you are prescribed a successful remedy, it is not likely to turn her into a normal cat, because past experiences have been contradictive.
As for her health the fact that she was spayed and declawed at 8 weeks is a big problem. At that age, the reproductive system has not begun to develope, and hormones provided by it, are used elsewhere in the body for growth. It was the fad to do early procedures where I live as well; but the health risks where great. Because she was also declawed meant that she was probably "under" for 1/2 -1 hour (thats a long time for any kitty, let alone a baby). An acupuncturist once told me that there is a point (directly in the path of the spay "cut") that controls bladder function; disruption of the point it is believed, contributes to incontinence, chances are on a kitten that small, the point would have been compromised. Then she is awoken in pain, given painkiller (on top of the anastetic) and lets not forget that at 8 weeks her immune system is actually at a very weak point as she has lost all immunity from "mother's first milk" and is now trying to build her own. I bring this up because I believe this must be addressed when precribing a remedy for the cat.
I believe you are right to refuse the prescription your vet wants to give you.
Please wait for one of the homeopaths to prescribe for you.
In the mean time, please look into a natural, home prepared diet. Grains in commercial kibble tend to elevate the pH of a cats urine, when the urine is too alkaline it presents optimum breeding of bacteria within the bladder, optimum pH is between 5-6 (tops 6.5).
You could also try to create a "safe room" for her, when she pees outside the box I believe absolutely (given history) that there is much insecurity. When you leave her alone, she can be in her "safe room" a place where no dangers exist (afterall, even stray cats coming up to an outside window could be scaring her etc.)
For behavior issues you may want to check out an easy to read and understand book written by Dr. Dodds, the title escapes me at the moment.
|