UPDATE ON THE KITTY MYSTERY:

[GreenPartyVoter]

The kittehs paid a visit to the vet today, and after kindly leaving some urine in their respective special litter pans, we have found that it is Gizmo who was bleeding. The vet feels he has stress-induced cystitis. (This makes some sense as he bullies Trixie sometimes, and also will knead and "nurse" on my husband and myself.)

So we are getting another litterbox, switching to scoopable litter and ditching the cover from the current box, and letting them have the run of the house at night now. We are also supposed to get them some green plants and more toys. If this doesn't make a difference, we will then consider the possibility of an infection and treat for that.

Thanks for the advice and good vibes, everyone!

[HopeHoops]

1. Good luck. Generally all litterboxes are considered "community property", as is the rug, the tile...

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Yeah, we'll see how it goes. I still feel vaguely uneasy in case it really is an infection. Just

will have to watch him really closely.

[HopeHoops]

3. The only way to tell is isolation. Pick a bathroom (master bath is best) and put him there.

Urinary tract infections are nasty, but antibiotics usually clear them up. Hell, I've had them myself. And no, it wasn't from hookers. I doubt his is either. But it could mean a kidney infection, or even bladder. Put down shredded newspaper in the litter box and isolate him to a bathroom at night. He won't like it, but at least you'll know. Litter hides the evidence.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Actually, that's what they did at the vet today. They separated them and collected urine. But

since the vet felt it was more likely to be the cystitis, we didn't run a test on the urine. If his potty habits don't improve, we will do the antibiotics.

[WCGreen]

5. I had a cat named Gizmo, friendliest cat I ever new...

I felt the loss for many years after he passed on. Wonderful cat...

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Yah, this little guy is like that too. :^) I am so sorry that yours has passed on.