Ovarian Remnant Syndrome - Suspected

Hi, my cat has been going into what appears to be heat despite the fact that she has been spayed. The vet agreed that her behaviour looks like heat but a blood test showed no evidence of ovarian tissue. They now say they think it could be a urine infection and want to charge us for urine tests - she has no issues with peeing and the symptoms go away on their own after about a week, returning a few weeks later. They said that if the urine test comes back negative, next steps are to work with a behaviourist. I feel at a crossroads - I truly feel like there is something physically happening with her, she truly behaves like she's in heat but I feel like that's being dismissed. What should I do?

Hello - I can see why this is frustrating.  The signs you describe are indeed associated with seasons - and because I don't know off the top of my head, I think I would be on the phone to the pathologist, trying to establish whether ovarian remnants could still be an issue with the results you've received or whether the test completely ruled it out.   However, your vet might have asked these questions or indeed, know the answer, already.  Assuming ovarian remnants to be crossed off the list, I would also be wondering about full bloods (including feline specific pancreatic markers) and a sterile urine sample.  A poor second would be to try a pain killer, but as the signs are intermittent, the results could be hard to evaluate.  If vets are worried about an animal, we don't like to stop until we can explain something - especially if pain or distress appears to be involved.  Obviously this has to be offset against available funds.  'Could my cat still, at this point, be in pain or danger?  From what?' is a good question for your vet (and as a vet, as I hinted, I often call the laboratory pathologist - they are a surprising mine of information and generally like discussing cases).   We try to rule things out one at a time, starting wih the most likely thing.  However, we also understand that money is not unlimited - resources vs concern about an animal's internal state are ultimately difficult to balance, for vets and owners alike.