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Expert: Jessica - 7/7/2009


Question
My 9-year old cat, a real cutie called Monty, has just been diagnosed as having 18 Positive and 5 Borderline teacting Allergens in the following major food groups -Barley, Beef, Pork, Soybean, Tomato Pomace and Wheat, plus Peas. My problem is - locating dried food which would meet these criteria. I live in Dubai, UAE. so having any food shipped here might be a problem?
Would appreciate any help or directions you could point me to.
Regards
Caryl

Answer
Hi Caryl.  I'm sorry I don't know what's available in your area, but there are some chicken and rice formula cat foods available in most areas.  You may end up having to go with a prescription food available through your vet.  I would assume they carry different formulas of foods which avoid some of these common allergens, as they do here, although I may be wrong.  In the end, it may be easiest to switch him over to an all canned food diet.  The new thinking is that this can be healthiest for cats, as it is less likely to cause urinary tract stones or lead to kidney failure later in life.

Good luck!

Jessica

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Jessica

Expertise

The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.

Experience

I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.

Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience

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