Well, i think you saw the links to the post about Ritzy's ordeal (thanks t&p's mom)....and INSIST on blood tests and urine samples. If I had this to do over again, I would have been a lot more demanding....it seemed to me they "waited" a lot longer than they should have.

I realize that the typical uti is treated successfully with antibiotics, but we had Ritz through several different kinds plus the Interferon..and I took her in and said, look, put her out get blood get urine...whatever you have to do. IN her case, it was a really strong infection and it was finally cured with a long bout of antibiotics (they alternated stronger and weaker varieties so as not to take such a toll on the tummy), coupled with some stuff to stave off the soft stool often brought about by the antibiotics. They also gave some kind of other gooey stuff to help with the bowels, but she didn't seem to need more than one dose.

Ritz apparently had been harboring this infection for a very long time - her urine was FULL of crystals and infection from the long term irritation of the crystals inside her bladder. that is why it took so long to heal.

They also changed her diet to the Science Diet CD/S and we now also buy distilled water (the last was probably not overly necessary, but we have a lot of hard water in our area - the doctor said it couldn't hurt, but the food diet was the big change)

So far, no recurrences. It does seem that cats who get this tend to be prone to it, much like people who get cold sores can be prone.....it is not so much a "cure" as the prevention - stress is a common catalyst..Ritz had her first UTI just before she went into heat - a short round of antibios and then her surgery and she was fine until this last bout earlier this year.

And finally, it is ok to get second opinions....I love my vet dearly and I know he wouldn't do anything to harm, but Ritz is a VERY difficult patient - there were times when I felt he was just tryingnot to have to deal with her "cattitude". Also, understand that many vets make the assumption that owners want to go the "least costly" route, so they often don't go down the path of "full diagnosis" for fear it will not be acceptable.

I have learned my lesson about that - I insist on all tests up front...by the time we "pussyfooted" around with this, I had spent almost 1,000 - and would have only spent about a 4th of that if they had done the full diagnostics up front.

I'm praying that your sweet kitty will respond and get better - I know all too well how scary this can be.
Ritzy's mom