Suddenly, without warning, Netmask exclaimed (7/23/2009 3:07 AM):
jmc wrote:
First, Meep hopped into the tub this morning, hopped straight out
shaking wet feet and I laughed... I didn't realize she was trying to
tell me something. When she tried to pee in my "shred box" I got a
clue, checked the litterbox - couple of good pees, but on top, two or
three quarter-sized spots.

DAMN! Another Cystitis attack!

So I stayed home from work to wait until the vet opened up.
Fortunately, it was over almost before it began. By the time I could
call the vet, two hours later, she had stopped trying to pee and was
sleeping in the window.

(There's essentially two kinds of attacks - she used to get the "I
really have to pee but it hurts too much" kind, but this one was the
"I feel like I have to pee even when my bladder's empty" kind. Been
dealing with this long enough I can tell the difference, even though
the litterbox evidence is very similar.)

Talked to the vet staff and decided to wait to bring her in. Talked
to an actual vet later and she agreed with my own assessment: The bag
of Science Diet Hairball Formula (which was given to me) was to blame,
and no Meep didn't need to come in.

So, back to all wet for Meep, this time, with the vet's blessing, I'm
going to try some good-quality kitten food and see if that helps.

For those not familiar with Meep and her issues, she's had cystitis
for around 6 years, but hasn't had an attack now for nearly two. Food
management has been the toughest, because she's what I call an
"obligate CARBivore" and won't eat anything that's just meat. She
does not like wet food as a general rule, and won't even eat dry if it
doesn't have carbs. Which, of course, is pretty much the exact
opposite of the diet she SHOULD be eating. When I fed her straight
wet food, she didn't eat most, and became very thin. I tried adding
some dry back into her diet, she put on about half a pound, and now
this. Phooey.

She's All Bettah now though, out on the deck terrorizing the
squirrels. No, not really, but she takes her job of keeping them off
our deck (and thus out of the birdfood and tomatoes) very seriously.

jmc

Have you tried these products ?

http://www.evopet.com/

Yea. She hates EVO - won't touch the stuff. Sometimes she'll eat
Instinct.

A vet visit might still be in the works. She's still uncomfortable -
had a little pee last night but was doing the little spots again this
morning. I'll give a chance for the extra glucosamine, the urinary
acidifier, and the Royal Canin S/O (wet bag) to work. Taking her to the
vet can exacerbate the problem, so since she's not really uncomfortable
(she's out guarding the deck right now), I can wait a little while
longer and see if this'll clear up on it's own. Prolly call the vet
again, just to see if there's anything else I could be doing.

jmc