Are Some Dogs Are Getting An Overabundance of Copper in their Diets; Geriatric Cats

Dr. David Twedt

The first time likely talked about to the public which internal medicine veterinarians and veterinary nutritionists have known about. From Steve Dale’s Pet World, WGN Radio, listen HERE toDr. David Twedt, internal medicine specialist and professor emeritus Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine explains how a group of respected experts strongly believe that there is simply too much copper in dog foods – and explains what the significant health ramifications may be for some dogs.

He begins by explaining why mammals do require copper in foods. For example, he explains where humans get copper in their diets.

However, it appears some dogs are getting too much copper in dog foods. This likely began years ago when the regulatory agencies overseeing pet foods, primarily American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO, adjusted the amount of copper required in foods based on data of the time. Today, Dr. Twedt says we know more. Too much copper in some dogs causes liver disease as other dogs appear to do just fine. Discovered early, this problem can be treated, and Dr. Twedt explains diagnosis and treatment. If left undiagnosed, liver failure, of course, can lead to death. Even if the pet food companies agree with Dr. Twedt and his group, they much follow AAFCO standards. However, those standards can be changed when science proves the point beyond a doubt. The last this occurred may have been many decades ago when with funding from the Winn Feline Foundation (now EveryCat Health Foundation), Dr. Paul Pion discovered there wasn’t enough of an amino acid called taurine in cat foods and as a result cats were suffering from a kind of heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy. Once this was proven AAFCO adjusted their standards and today dilated cardiomyopathy is rare in cats.

9 Lives Are Not Enough

Listen HERE to Dr. Mary Gardner, co-founder of Lap of Love and author of, Nine Lives Are Not Enough: A Practical Guide to Caring for Your Geriatric Cat (Old Cat Care and Pet Loss). So how can you tell your older cat is in need of a veterinary visit or may be in pain? Cats typically don’t tell us. The focus of this book are geriatric cats, and what to do for them.

Dr. Gardner discusses muscle wasting in cats and how to potentially avoid it or delay the onset.  Dr. Gardner says having a scale can be helpful, and explains why. You may not notice your cat losing a pound or two, but but that can be really important.

Discussed is arthritis in cats, and new medication (an injectable called Solensia). She also discusses how to modify the environment to make life easier for geriatric cats.

This is the most comprehensive book of it’s kind ever published.

Dogs and You

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