The world is full of bullies that will use any token to stimulate themselves. You must remember them from the grade school playground? Hopefully sweet kitty was rabid and bit him! Hopefully your little friend was adopted by a teenageish girl that dotes on his every whim providing him with a happy life of luxury. If you live near Michigan I can offer a two year old fixed female that still has her claws. I named her Favorite because that is who she aspires to be in a seven cat household. Her sister Star Trek is also people friendly and a bit bolder in personality. While friendly, sister Chrissy is shy so I'll keep her where she is comfortable. The others, Yoko, Lulu, Annie, and Jessy are fairly established as residents and have no plans to let me give them away. WAIT... I think I found your kitten's online diary... DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from shredding the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant and cough it up on the carpeting. DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favourite chair...must try this on their bed (again). DAY 762 - Slept all day so that I could annoy my captors with sleep depriving, incessant pleas for food at ungodly hours of the night. DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was...Hmmm. Not working according to plan... DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid. My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth and the tiny bit of flesh under my claws. DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call "beer." More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage. DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The Bird on the other hand has got to be an informant. He has mastered their frightful tongue (something akin to mole speak) and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter of time. : ) lyra

one of the most important steps in treating FIC (which is now what this syndrome in cats is called: Feline inflammatory cystitis) is treatment for pain. Female cats rarely block, but still one should check for stones by doing and x-ray (or ultrasound). Pain control can often make the situation tolerable for the cat, and many times the inflammation will go away on it's own. Canned food is also helpful (has far less carbs for one, and makes cats urinate more and clean out their bladders faster, for two). And reducing stress is where the latest research seems to show the most promise in these cats (so using products that release soothing feline pheremones can sometimes help... there are plug-ins that do this often available at most pet stores), providing more litter boxes, keeping the litter boxes in less vulnerable spots in the house (not in dark corners where we normally like to put them, but where some cats feel cornered, particularly in households with multiple pets), and privacy.

It sounds like she's a healthy, active, curious kitten. normal in other words (for a cat). If I were sure she couldn't get *out* the window, I think I'd be comfortable with the cat tower as long as I a) put the cat tower close to the bed, or between the bed & the bureau or dresser, in case of falls & b) watched her for the first few hours to make sure that I hadn't overlooked a hazard. It's been a number of years since I had a new kitten in the house, so, if I were in your shoes, I'd cross-examine my vet about the vaccines. If your older cat has been indoor-only, what is the risk of her being infected? Is there a test to determine if the older cat has been infected? etc I always like to hear that someone has adopted a cat/kitten into his/her life; they're so much fun, & so good for us, & we can make the difference between, not only life or death, but a *good*, happy, healthy life &...anything less. I hope your kitties enrich your life, & you theirs, for many years to come. Bless you!

just precious! My cat Garfield was an orange cat and was the best cat I ever had, he lived a long 21 years and I still miss him every day. I hope your little one will give you as much joy. I know what you mean about introductions been there done that but they will eventually end up all in a pile sleeping together. I have 2 litters of feral kittens now out back that are just so darling, but very very wild. I managed to pick one litter up and look at them when they were tiny, one is a female is siamese color with bright blue eyes and is just adorable, the other 2 I call the twin boys they look exactly alike with a white ruff around the neck and body of black and gray stripes, cute cute cute. The second litter I did not know about till just recently when the solid black mother cat showed up at the water bowl with them. There are 4 of them one solid black, the other 3 shades of black with gray all very dark. I have no idea what sex they are and have never been able to touch any of them. I so badly want to catch them and try to find good homes for them and get the mothers fixed. When they see me coming in my wheel chair to the glass doors they scatter!