Question:
A few months ago my cat, Chino, had a blood test that indicated he has borderline hyperthyroidism. The vet gave me a Web address that explains what the disease is and how it is treated. What shocked me is that a study done in 2004 showed there is a strong correlation between cat food in pop-top cans and this disease.Apparently, the cans are lined with something called bisphenol A-diglycidyl ether, which reacts with the oils in the cat food. Years ago, when all the cans had to be opened with a can opener, this disease was almost unheard of. I have two neighbors whose cats had this disease. It comes on at about age 13, the age Chino will be this spring.Although I make a premium dry cat food available at all times, my three cats really look forward to this pop-top treat each evening. I will now have to limit them to the dry food, with occasional cans of non-pop-top moist food (which do not come in many varieties).Why is this health risk not told to the general public? Are vets and others afraid of repercussions
P.A.B., Ballston Lake, NY Aug 20, 2006
Answer:
I mentioned this issue previously in my column after I read an article in the highly reputable Journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association.All of the canned-food industries, human and animal, have a serious issue on their public-health and liability agendas. They are on notice to eliminate this endocrine-system-disrupting toxin from their can linings.The bisphenol compound is not the only endocrine- and immune-system-disrupting chemical we humans have released into the environment. Others contaminate our drinking water, meat, dairy products, fish and much else we and our companion animals consume. Dioxins and PCBs are two groups of poisons that can also harm the thyroid gland and entire hormonal and immune systems. The good news is that organic agriculture and aquaculture are the most promising antidotes for this poisoned planet and our toxic food chain.
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