Question:
Thank you for the information you publish in your column. My cat is doing much, much better on the natural pet food you recommend. I had been feeding my cat Boo dry food purchased at the veterinarian's office. I assumed it would be better than what's available in the supermarket. In retrospect, it is very disturbing to realize that this may have been the cause of my other cat Trixie's illness and subsequent death. She was about 12 years of age and had escalating kidney problems. I had to put her down. To know the food could have possibly caused her death is upsetting. I really don't understand why a veterinarian would sell something that can cause animals to suffer. I am now looking into the vaccination issue on your website, as suggested in your column as well. Thank you. I wish I had this info when I had my dog.
A.L., Red Bank, NJ Nov 22, 2010
Answer:
I always appreciate feedback on the advice I offer in my column and invite all readers who feel so moved to do so, as well as sharing their own discoveries. Your cat Trixie's kidney disease could have been caused by a number of factors, so I would not put all the blame on yourself, the veterinarian or on what you were feeding her. Many cats show general health improvement when given purified/filtered rather than straight municipal tap water to drink, for example. Some cats have kidney disorder (polycystic kidney disease), which has a genetic basis.
I do get some letters from know-it-all pet owners who chastise me for not mentioning every possible cause or cure for some illness. Column space limitations are prohibitive of advice dissertations, but readers with computer access will find a spectrum of useful information in the archives of this column (www.twobitdog.com/DrFox).
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