Some of you know that I have been having health problems with my brood - Wellington and Bonaparte have both had urinary infections, Biscotte has had a fever, and is lethargic, cause unknown, and Cinders and Milo have had mouth infections. I have never had so much happen at once and I put it down to stress over the foster kittens, who have now gone back to be adopted (6 out of 10 have been taken!!
Anyway, the vet I have been seeing, who is new to the practice and seems very nice and competent, says the problem must be due to my food source. The cats get two cans of wet between them a day (Purina Gourmet, the best available here), except for Ellie, who gets a sachet of Nature's Menu that I import from the UK and that is high protein to keep her weight up, on another vet's advice. They also get unlimited dry, usually Royal Canin or Purina for Urinary Health. Now the vet says I should not feed any wet, that it is too high protein, and that I should give them only the Royal Canin (I like the brand so have no trouble with that, though it is very expensive). But he would not listen when I said that everything I knew leant towards giving them some wet for urinary health too, and that some people thought that an all-wet diet was actually best. I already give them calcium free water. This is an old argument, I know, but he has really made me feel that it will be my fault if the cats get sick again and that he does not want to keep giving them antibiotics, which is what will happen if I don't concur. Then he made me feel more guilty by not charging me a consultation fee, only paying for the meds. This is a rant and a worry, but what IS the latest thought/opinion on this? What can I do?
Anyway, the vet I have been seeing, who is new to the practice and seems very nice and competent, says the problem must be due to my food source. The cats get two cans of wet between them a day (Purina Gourmet, the best available here), except for Ellie, who gets a sachet of Nature's Menu that I import from the UK and that is high protein to keep her weight up, on another vet's advice. They also get unlimited dry, usually Royal Canin or Purina for Urinary Health. Now the vet says I should not feed any wet, that it is too high protein, and that I should give them only the Royal Canin (I like the brand so have no trouble with that, though it is very expensive). But he would not listen when I said that everything I knew leant towards giving them some wet for urinary health too, and that some people thought that an all-wet diet was actually best. I already give them calcium free water. This is an old argument, I know, but he has really made me feel that it will be my fault if the cats get sick again and that he does not want to keep giving them antibiotics, which is what will happen if I don't concur. Then he made me feel more guilty by not charging me a consultation fee, only paying for the meds. This is a rant and a worry, but what IS the latest thought/opinion on this? What can I do?