Aria has officially been diagnosed with
eosinophilicgranuloma, a skin condition that is causing her to itch so badly, she chews her poor little legs raw. Many cases are due to food allergies, and while her steroids have kept it under control, there are
long term risks for keeping her on them indefinitely.
So Aria is doing an exclusion diet, eating only a single protein source (either duck, venison, or rabbit) that is unlikely to cause her allergy because she's never eaten it before. I've started her on
Hill's Prescription Diet d/d Duck & Green Pea Formula. And she gobbles it up! She also seems to like the venison wet food. So
Thumper, for the time being, is safe. But Bambi's and Daffy's time is up.
As I was looking for feeding instructions, I read an interesting paragraph on the back of the bag:
"For best results, have your veterinarian monitor your cat's condition. Most cats will readily eat Prescription Diet d/d Duck & Green Pea Formula Feline. If they do not, be patient and firm, your cat's health is at stake. If your cat refuses to eat for more than two days, call your veterinarian immediately." Why can't we treat people with eating disorders the same way? That their health is at stake if they don't eat? That two days of improper eating should warrant a frantic call to the doctor? To be patient and firm and encourage them to eat?
Is it really so difficult?
Note: if you have any pet-related questions, check out the Mar Vista Vet Pet Library. It's a great resource. I'm writing them an email to thank them for all of the information they've put online.*I never thought something could smell worse than her tuna-flavored kibble, but this does. And let's not mention the litter box fragrance... ::shudder::
So Aria is doing an exclusion diet, eating only a single protein source (either duck, venison, or rabbit) that is unlikely to cause her allergy because she's never eaten it before. I've started her on Hill's Prescription Diet d/d Duck & Green Pea Formula. And she gobbles it up! She also seems to like the venison wet food. So Thumper, for the time being, is safe. But Bambi's and Daffy's time is up.
As I was looking for feeding instructions, I read an interesting paragraph on the back of the bag:
"For best results, have your veterinarian monitor your cat's condition. Most cats will readily eat Prescription Diet d/d Duck & Green Pea Formula Feline. If they do not, be patient and firm, your cat's health is at stake. If your cat refuses to eat for more than two days, call your veterinarian immediately."
Why can't we treat people with eating disorders the same way? That their health is at stake if they don't eat? That two days of improper eating should warrant a frantic call to the doctor? To be patient and firm and encourage them to eat?
Is it really so difficult?
Note: if you have any pet-related questions, check out the Mar Vista Vet Pet Library. It's a great resource. I'm writing them an email to thank them for all of the information they've put online.
*I never thought something could smell worse than her tuna-flavored kibble, but this does. And let's not mention the litter box fragrance... ::shudder::