Here's the scoop.
Summer is almost 8 years old. We've had her for six years. Within a few months of getting her, she's had UTI problems. This has been recurring, sometimes VERY frequently. She's a super sweet cat that likes to be a lap cat and even play. After a few years of consideration and a move, we decided to add a second cat. We got Chevy when he was 15 weeks old and asked the rescue organization many questions to make sure it was a good match for Summer.They had proper introductions and for a few hours Summer was scared of Chevy. He was relaxed and calm as he laid near her. She finally got the drift...it took a few days, but was normal. Chevy was a very typical male kitten with energy, and Summer often played with him, but let him know when she didn't. She has bathed his face ever since. As before Summer was making lots of vet trips due to UTIs. When we got Chevy, we switched Summer from Science Diet c/d to the Royal Canin SO since Chevy was sensitive to the c/d. Summer is also on dasequin to help her bladder lining. She has urinated outside the box, got vet checked and came back clean a few times. Twice she's had a viral infection, and she continues to have a lower, but safe white blood cell count. She's been tested for everything and is clear. She most recently had like her 4th UTI this year. I have talked this over with my vet several times and the possibility that Chevy may have bothered her in the litter box. I've seen him stare at her while she's in there. I have three litter boxes spread evenly throughout the apartment, and even tried Calm's Forte at the vet's suggestion. There are two Feliway diffusers at all times on opposite sides (to cover all space). Feliway seems to help Chevy be less aggressive. She still gets UTIs. She even had her urine sent to a place that is doing research on cats like Summer who have recurring UTIs.
I'm at a loss and don't know what to do! The vet has mentioned stronger prescription medication, but evades it whenever I bring it up by telling me to keep using the feliway and calm's forte like she's telling me for the first time! This makes me so mad as I've been doing both for over two years....though I've stopped with the calm's forte since it wasn't helping at all....
Should I get a second opinion? I can't keep living in an apartment that smells like cat urine. I rent and it makes me feel horrible. I feel even worse that Summer may not be happy. I can't blame this all on Chevy as we had her for four years before we got him and had the same problems. Chevy's older and more mature now too and doesn't want to play as much as he used to. He leaves her alone, but sometimes she'll approach him to wash his face, and he'll wash hers....Yes, I even got him tested to make sure it wasnt something contagious. He has a clean bill of health.
Any advice would be great! Thanks...
Summer is almost 8 years old. We've had her for six years. Within a few months of getting her, she's had UTI problems. This has been recurring, sometimes VERY frequently. She's a super sweet cat that likes to be a lap cat and even play. After a few years of consideration and a move, we decided to add a second cat. We got Chevy when he was 15 weeks old and asked the rescue organization many questions to make sure it was a good match for Summer.They had proper introductions and for a few hours Summer was scared of Chevy. He was relaxed and calm as he laid near her. She finally got the drift...it took a few days, but was normal. Chevy was a very typical male kitten with energy, and Summer often played with him, but let him know when she didn't. She has bathed his face ever since. As before Summer was making lots of vet trips due to UTIs. When we got Chevy, we switched Summer from Science Diet c/d to the Royal Canin SO since Chevy was sensitive to the c/d. Summer is also on dasequin to help her bladder lining. She has urinated outside the box, got vet checked and came back clean a few times. Twice she's had a viral infection, and she continues to have a lower, but safe white blood cell count. She's been tested for everything and is clear. She most recently had like her 4th UTI this year. I have talked this over with my vet several times and the possibility that Chevy may have bothered her in the litter box. I've seen him stare at her while she's in there. I have three litter boxes spread evenly throughout the apartment, and even tried Calm's Forte at the vet's suggestion. There are two Feliway diffusers at all times on opposite sides (to cover all space). Feliway seems to help Chevy be less aggressive. She still gets UTIs. She even had her urine sent to a place that is doing research on cats like Summer who have recurring UTIs.
I'm at a loss and don't know what to do! The vet has mentioned stronger prescription medication, but evades it whenever I bring it up by telling me to keep using the feliway and calm's forte like she's telling me for the first time! This makes me so mad as I've been doing both for over two years....though I've stopped with the calm's forte since it wasn't helping at all....
Should I get a second opinion? I can't keep living in an apartment that smells like cat urine. I rent and it makes me feel horrible. I feel even worse that Summer may not be happy. I can't blame this all on Chevy as we had her for four years before we got him and had the same problems. Chevy's older and more mature now too and doesn't want to play as much as he used to. He leaves her alone, but sometimes she'll approach him to wash his face, and he'll wash hers....Yes, I even got him tested to make sure it wasnt something contagious. He has a clean bill of health.
Any advice would be great! Thanks...