Species: Feline Age: 12.5 Sex/Neuter status: Female, fixed. Breed: American Short Hair, Tortoise Shell [if makes a difference] Body weight: 9.5lbs History: History of allergy reactions/rodent ulcers Clinical signs: Current: UTI Having a hard time peeing, sits in the litterbox for 5-10 minutes at times, struggles. No yowling, but grunting. Little dribbles coming out. Was almost gelatinous at first. Duration: 4-5 days [so far] Your general location: Central TX

So I've already been to the vet on this twice. Here's the recap so far:

Went to the vet, urinalysis was taken, but apparently no culture was done on the urinalysis? Reason I say this is because I had to take cat to a boarding vet [Vet #2] because this came at a time that I had to leave for a business trip. [Ended up f-ing myself over and staying though, couldn't in good conscious leave her at a place that didn't have full overnight care, so picked her up/stayed with her] Vet brought it up that a culture was NOT done when they contacted the first vet. [Ve #1]

Anyway, what WAS found was high levels of white blood cells [infection], blood in the urine, and while no kidney stones, struvite crystals were found.

Vet #2 was upset that Vet #1 did not culture the bacteria to know for sure if it was a UTI or not, instead of assuming. Cat is on Clavamox for infection. Was told to switch to Hills Prescription Diet, Urinary Health, C/D by Vet #2.

Vet #2 said, that's only 'okay' because it'll help fix/get rid of one crystal type, but can cause a crystal type of another. Instead, go back to Royal Canin Hydrolized Protein [which my cat has been on before due to her repeating rodent ulcers] because the UTI could be allergy based due to the stress of a rodent ulcer/yeast ear infection two weeks ago that she's been being treated for. Vet #2 continued to point out on the Hydrolized Protein that the S/O index on the bag means it'll help flush out the crystals.

Now, my cat, being as cats do, didn't like the Hills Diet anyway, so back on expensive Hydrolized Protein it was.

After being on clavamox for three days now [five doses] I have noticed SOME improvements on my cat's urinary activities, but not much. She's still running back and forth between litter boxes super frequently, but I'd say about 50/50 now has much shorter struggle times [only takes a few seconds to pee, then leaves], but then maybe two times later is in there another 5-10 minutes. But there DOES seem to be more fluid coming out, but not like a steady stream like before. Just more drops/droplets.

I stopped in at the office of Vet #1 where I got the food RX card to return the Hills food, and just wanted another opinion. So in comes Vet #3. Vet #3 eyeballs the Hydrolized Protein food, says the S/O means it will prevent further struvite crystals, not flush/clear out/break up current crystals. And that I should try the Royal Canin Urinary Health food instead, to flush first, THEN try going on the Hydrolized Protein to prevent further stress/crystals since my cat has an obvious allergy problem.

So obviously, I'm really frustrated that I'm getting conflicting urinary food suggestion conflicts here.

First, what does S/O actually stand for [Struvite Something] and what specifically does it mean? Googling it just brings up that it is tied with urinary issues.

Second, which answer here is correct? What food would be better for flushing out my kitty's crystals so she's back to urinating normally? I understand she's a senior kitty, which can complicate things, and she's obviously an allergic-to-everything kitty, but being as I know friends who have lost cats to UTI-related complications, you'd think there'd be a more solid answer on what I can do to help her out. Should I try and go back [or to another] vet to get an actual urine culture too?