Yes, I know all about bladder infections. Speckles has been through about 5 of them.

Her last bout was Nov 2001 and she was put on Baytril, but it took about a week before I noticed any improvement and it was all of a sudden. One day she was straining, and the next day, boom, all gone.

When she got her first bouts of bladder infections it was right after I adopted her and with Max constantly after her, I believe it was stress-related. She, too, would sit in the litter box for long periods of time. After a while, she just laid down in there and I guess she figured, why leave, when I'll just have to come back again. After that I put her on filtered water only and that seemed to help. While I've heard that cranberry extract can help, I did not try it.

I agree with Emily_the_spoiled in that you should ask you vet for a culture and blood work. I did when Speckles first got sick and a culture was able to determine which antibiotic would work the best. Take note that antibiotics gave Speckles diarrhea so don't be alarmed if Emily's stool becomes soft with the meds.

Good luck. Love and prayers on the way for a speedy recovery.