Reply #3: I'm sure it is a very uncomfortable condition.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

Ever since I had to take my cat to the vet several times and leave him there for treatment, he hisses and growls whenever he goes back there, even for normal checkups. He never used to hiss at the vet. I think it was all very unpleasant for him. I hope your vet gave you some painkillers for the kitty as well.

Science Diet is really overrated - it might have even contributed to the problem. The prescription food I've been buying is Royal Canin SO, and it costs about half again as much as a good nonprescription cat food. But it's worth it to avoid another $1,000 ER vet bill like last time. The vet said the problem with many regular cat foods, even the better quality ones, is that they are not acidic enough and there's sometimes too much protein. You'd think high protein would be a good thing for cats, and it usually is, but too much of it sometimes can aggravate these UT problems. The big thing, though, is pH (acidity).