First, we did take Ritz to the vet before doing anything else. In fact, because she was in some pain, and tried to pee about 6 times with no results, I feared she was blocked so we took her to the emergency all night clinic in the next largest town.

They had another bigger emergency, and although they did look at Ritz, I'm concerned that they gave her a thorough enough exam. They didn't exray, only tried to express her bladder which was empty....perhaps exrays don't tell much in this condition. We've had her there before and they were very good, albeit 50 miles away.

I do plan on addressing this issue with her regular vet, but if any of you could lend some insight, I'd be thankful.

She was diagnosed with a bladder infection - they tried to express her bladder, but it was empty. Apparently it is infected and inflamed, and that is causing her to think she has to go to the bathroom when she really doesn't. They gave her two prescriptions, 1.5 ML of Clavamox (antibiotic) twice daily for 10 days and 1ml of Interferon, twice daily (the latter is on 7 days, off 7, and on again).

While she acts otherwise like she feels pretty good and isn't crying in pain after peeing anymore, she still sits in her litter for 10 minutes or so at a time and visits the litterbox regularly to do so. Normally, she pees about twice a day and poops about once or twice (morning, evening)

She's been on the medication now since last Thursday morning....but still visits the litterbox frequently and sits there for a long time, usually only one will result in a normal pee amount, the rest of the times just little drops. She also spends a good deal of time licking herself after, like it itches or something.

WE are keeping the litter clean and fresh water...

How long should the treatment take for her to be back to her old self? I know she isn't comfortable...but should I be worried about other causes? She had one of these earlier in her life, right before being spayed, and bounced back very quickly with the treatment...this time it seems to be taking a bit longer...

I will be contacting my regular vet for a refill of the Clavamox, per the instructions, but any experience with a kitty with bladder infections will be helpful.

right now she is spending so much time in the litterbox I feel like I should give her a newspaper to read