After all that - including Smudge swearing off ALL medicine, including the tuna-flavored stuff from the $compounding pharmacy, and ALL wet food just in case it had medicine in it - it turned out he didn't have FLUTD at all. A urine sample turned up MAGNESIUM CRYSTALS, and all he needed was new food! And he LIKES THE FOOD! (Hill's C/D)

Unfortunately, it hasn't got much fiber in it. His intestines slowed and eventually stopped. Luckily, I've been cleaning his box daily just to monitor him, and I caught it right away. He likes Pounce anti-hairball treats, and he'll eat Petromalt if I mash it up with good ol' tuna fish. And lately he'll at least taste canned food (with Cosequin vitamins mashed in - shhhh, don't tell!) if I add a bit of cod liver oil.

He's also a very itchy little cat, who constantly has trouble with eczema (and the mats occasioned by skin flakes tangling in his long, fine fur) so I've ordered some Hugs and Kisses treats - if he likes them, I'll let you all know! Or if he doesn't, likewise. But anything that will stop his itching is good news, if he'll eat it.