Poor kitty has Cystitis again!

My little Sophie--the calico who's still licking off her fur--has Cystitis again. She had it 2 months ago, and before that, in June! The vet gave me 2 weeks worth of antibiotics and Staphysagria. I can't figure out what's going on. I have learned, however, that it's very important to get the pee re-tested within 3 days of finishing the antibiotics. I wasn't able to do that before, so maybe that's why it came back? (If that's the case, I'll feel like the worst cat mom in the world!) Anyone have any suggestions on why a cat would gets this? The vet suggested maybe stress. I have 2 other kitties that have never had a problem. Thanks!

It may be time to ask for a referral to a specialist vet

How do you do that gracefully without insulting your primary vet? I mean, if she had an eye condition or needed surgery, I'd be comfortable asking, but are there UT vet specialists?

Has Sophie's urine been sent out for a culture?

A culture is more in depth than a Urinalysis (UA).

The culture will tell if there are crystals forming and what kind, crystals are a common cause for UTI problems but it is very important to know what kind. Crystals do not respond to antibiotics. They are controlled with diet.

A culture also consists of growing any bacteria found in the urine and applying various antibiotics to it, to find out which antibiotic the bacteria is most susceptible to.

Urinary tract and bladder problems are often genetic in nature, but can also be caused by stress. If Sophie has trouble coping with stress (her licking problem says this may be so, also) adding some feliway plug in diffusers may be beneficial.

We humans can't always know what will cause a cat to feel stress. You may not see anything that could be considered stressful, and your other cats may not either, but Sophie may be feeling stress anyway.

Any vet, as a professional should understand a client's desire to get to the bottom of any problem with a beloved pet. You can frame the question by asking if your vet thinks a specialist could help in Sophie's case. However it does sound like not everything that can be done at the general vet level has been done.

Ask for the culture, and install some feliway plug in diffusers is my advice.

Keep us posted on Sophie.

Cystitis is one of those conditions where there is often not a clear cause- and often not infection.
My girl had 2 urines checked- no crystals or infection- vets- local and her specialist (she has other health issues- I would not see a specialist just for this) said probably stress cystitis- advised Feliway, increasing wet food and water intake.
I found it hard thinking this was due to stress- though her other issues and regular vet visits may be causing stress.
A few months ago during a bad flare-up- frank blood in her urine- my vet found she had a bladder stone. It went away on a special diet. Returned when the diet was changed.
Shes been fine for weeks back on a new prescription diet.
My thoughts like Otto- rule out infection, crystals and stones.
Look into diet and increasing wet food.
And dont feel guilty!!
Some cats are more prone to this than others- and vets often dont know why