Conference misery::feline

    My guess is that since Feather just got over a urinary blockage
    problem...he might still have a stinging sensation or possibly
    and infection and that is what is causing him to still have 
    litterbox problems. You might consider talking to your vets about 
    this because I doubt it is a behaviour issues.   Is your kitty on
    a special diet???  Normally vets will put them on a low magnesium
    and ash diet so the problem does not come back.  
    
    Other things you could try:
    
      o Put Feather back in his isolation spot with his own litterbox
        so you can monitor if he is using it or not.  If he does use it..
        Gradually let him  have his freedom of the entire house by starting 
        to let him out when you are home.
      o I think adding another litterbox was the right choice...but you
        may want to move the box away from the other one.  
      o You might consider changing litters...and making sure they stay
        very clean.
      o Try washing feathers private area with warm water.
    
    I personally would start by calling the vet back...because it
    doesn't sound like the medical problem is resolved yet.   
    Good luck...stay patient because Feather needs you right now!!!
    
    Sandy
       
    
    

    
    
    
    My vet has said that when examining urinary problems in kitties, she
    attempts to rule out all physical causes BEFORE assuming there is a
    behavioral problem.
    
    A recent case she told me about had symtoms much like the base note.
    A ph check of the urine proved to be high and was brought back down to
    acceptable limits through dietary control.  But this kitty was an
    indoors only kitty and the diet could be controlled easily.  This may
    not be what it wrong in every case, but should go to show that a
    veterinarian can ofttimes come up with a diagnosis of a physical
    cause that is easily treatable.
    
    Bad urination habits are the kitties' way of telling us something is
    wrong with them.  First, try to find a physical reason.  Those are
    easier to fix than are behavioral problems.  My advice is to take the
    kitty to the vet without further delay.
    
    Carl-who-is-glad-that-FELINE-is-back

    I agree with the two previous replies; I've had several cats with
    blockages and several others with just infections. The ones that
    had blockages always do that when something starts to be going wrong.
    I usually take a bit of the urine right to the vet to have the ph
    checked (costs about $3); if you can't get it to the vet right away,
    refrigerate it and bring it to the vet the next day. If the PH is fine,
    then have them run a full urinalysis (about $20). I can usually tell
    if there is a physical problem by the way the urine smells but I have a
    very sensitive sense of smell (the vet claims I'm crazy but I haven't
    been wrong once). Bottom line is that cat usually winds up on a urine
    acidifier or an antibiotic for a few days.

    If it turns out that the cat has an infection rather than a urine
    acidity problem, the cat might be put on an antibiotic for 10-14 days;
    this MAY NOT be sufficient; if kitty starts exhibiting problems after
    the antibiotics run out, call the vet and let her/him know ASAP so that
    they can refill the prescription. (I've found that Niky winds up on 
    antibiotics for 3-4 weeks when he gets an infection.)

    One other thing. Before I got the wood pellet stove, when I tried to
    save a bit of $$ and turn the thermostat down to 60F in the day, I found
    that two of my cats would get an immediate bladder problem. (65 seemed
    to be the temp threshold for these two). Anyhow, now with the stove
    keeping the place at a nice tosty 74 all day our problems have
    disappeared.

    Deb