Hey everyone (this is my first post)! I have a 6 month old snow coloured female Bengal kitten, I have had her for 2 months and she is an indoor cat and the only pet I have. Initially her diet was an alternating mixture of dry food, raw chicken, tinned wet food and frozen packs of 'raw food' (natures menu). However she consistently had loose stools and the vet suggested that the diet was too varied and too rich in protein, so she would be perfectly fine on just dry food. Sure enough, after a month of just dry food ( James WellBeloved Kitten Turkey and Royal Canin Kitten - Digestive Health), her stools have started to firm up. She seems to drink plenty of water too (from her water bowl and also if the kitchen sink tap is running).

Bit of background:
Since I got her she has used the litter tray (with a lid but no door, using wooden pellets as litter - the breeder said he used these) almost every time, apart from twice in the first few weeks she urinated next to her water bowl (after splashing the water about with her paw) and then a few times a week she climbed into the kitchen sink and urinated in there. I initially stopped that by placing an upside down washing up bowl in there and carrying her to the litter tray, however she started doing it again last few weeks (perching on the sink and aiming for the gap between the bowl and the sink - clever kitty haha) so I took out the plastic washing up bowl and just allowed her to go in the sink (better there than on carpets I guess).

Two weeks ago I noticed a 'bald' patch/wound towards her hind, it appears that she had chewed/torn a clump of fur out, making it a bit red and sore there. I took her to the vet who said she must have been stressed/anxious (my brother and his girlfriend came to stay for a few days and so there was new people and their bags/things all over the house - she didn't seem bothered tho, even sat on their laps when we watched TV) and gave her a steroid injection. The fur seems to be growing back there now, so it looks like she is no longer biting/licking that patch.

Actual problem:
Anyway, few days ago she had a wee at 4pm, then at 7pm started climbing into the sink every 10 minutes and squatting down to have a wee. At first there was a little, but after that there was barely a drop, since her bladder must have been empty. She continued and I noticed that there were drops of blood too. So I phoned the vets and took her in to be seen out of hours. The vet said that it is most likely related to the same issue as the bald patch/wound (no blood or urine test was carried out). I had however just come back from being away for 4 days - I live with my mum who looked after her, however the kitten seems to have bonded with me the most, follows me around the house everywhere and generally only lies on my lap, so it could be related to that.

She was then given an injection (not sure of what) to relax her and help with the bladder irritation/inflammation. I have also been given some pills to give her, which are supposed to help repair the bladder lining and to reduce anxiety (nutracys+). This was two days ago, she is still constant trying to wee, passing just small amounts. There does't seem to be much blood in the urine now, if at all, however she is trying to urinate all over the house. I have now confined her to just two rooms, with wooden flooring, as she is trying to urinate in every corner, behind chairs/desk etc. Basically, everywhere. As it is the weekend I don't need to be at work, so have have spent pretty much the whole of the last 2.5 days sitting in there with her. Should I take her back to the vet for another injection? Or should I just keep feeding her the pills, as the vet said it takes around 5 days for them to work? Has your cat had stress induced cystitis and how did you help her with it?

And with regards to the pills, what is the best way for me to get her to take them (twice a day for the next 2 weeks)? She will not take the pill, starts scratching, biting and wriggling if I try to open her mouth. I have been opening them up and sprinkling the powder onto some wet food, however as she has been on a dry food only diet, she doesn't seem to want the wet food (may eat a spoon in the morning, but then will just leave it when I try the same again in the evening, some she just won't eat at all) and the introduction of wet food back into her diet seems to have brought back the loose/bloody stools. But I can't mix the powder with her dry food. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Sorry for such a long first post! :-/

Okay, STOP! Breathe! Let's step back and look at your problem. Your kitty does not want to use her enclosed litter box. Take the lid off and see if that helps. Raiden uses an open litter box. He has a closed one in his enclosure which he does not like to use. You've taken her to the vet a few times and whatever the vet is recommending and prescribing does not seem to be solving the problem, thus, we have a wrong diagnosis. It's hard when the animal cannot tell us what is wrong with them. It sounds like your doctor has been trying to treat her simply from maybe blood tests or a physical exam. This may call for more extensive procedures such as an ultrasound which can give the doctor a view of the inside of the kitty and what may be happening there. Your girl's behavior is not normal.

Cats can experience stress and separation anxiety. However, upon your return, things should have improved with her. I'm thinking there is definitely a physical problem here which can only be helped by a veterinarian. If your vet is not willing to delve deeper into other diagnostic tests, then I'd find another vet. It seems you're doing everything your vet has told you to do.

Giving a cat a pill is quite an experience. I found a treat that you place the pill inside of and give it to the cat, but cats are still smart enough to spit them out. I was told you wrap the cat in a towel so it's front paws are pretty much useless to them. You open their mouth, throw the pill down, close the mouth and when their tongue touches their nose, they have swallowed the pill. Didn't work for Raiden. For days, I was finding little blue pills in the carpet. Depending on the size of the pill, they may have syringes that you can shoot the pill into their mouth! Regardless, it's never easy and you just try something and take your chances.

I really hope you're able to find out what's going on with your baby! I'm sure she's miserable and unhappy. Most kitties prefer using their litter box and not the sink or anywhere else. Keep us posted.

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The little monsters 3

Thanks for the advice.

I have managed to get her to take her medicine and she seems to have returned to her normal playful self, with normal toilet habits, in terms of frequency. She still likes going to the kitchen sink to urinate, rather than use the litter tray, which she does use for pooping in.