Many times, I think doctors just give generalized instructions.
Years ago, I went to a doctor and he wanted to prescribe a certain medication. He told me that I needed to take a blood test for kidney and liver function before I could take it. I agreed to get the blood test done but I said that I didn't think that there would be any problems that might contradict taking the meds. He asked me why I thought that. I told him that I had eaten asparagus the night before. He didn't understand what I was talking about.
I explained that when some people eat asparagus it makes their urine smell like a skunk but he still didn't get it. Asparagus contains a substance called asparagusic acid. When you eat it, the asparagusic acid goes into your bloodstream where it's broken down by your liver into the same substance that makes skunks smell. That substance (methyl mercaptan) is, then, excreted by the kidneys.
I reasoned that, if I ate asparagus then, within the hour, it made my urine smell like a skunk my liver must be working normally. If the smell went away after twelve hours, that means my kidneys must be working normally, too. I agreed that this wasn't a definitive test but it's still enough to be presumptive.
The doctor sat there, scratching his head for a moment and said, "Yeah, you're right." I said thanks but asked him to write up the order for the blood test, anyhow, just to be certain. He did that and wrote a scrip for the medication, too. We both agreed that the test was all just a formality, anyhow.
My point is that doctors often think in a linear way that doesn't consider other possibilities and they don't relay all the necessary information to clients, thinking that they don't know or won't understand. I think that you understand your cat's situation well enough to make the right decisions, despite your vet's restrictive orders.
You understand that your cat has had several teeth extracted and that, temporarily, she needs to change her diet. You also understand that your cat needs to eat, despite doctor's orders, and I think you understand well enough to make an informed decision on a compromise diet until her mouth heals.
As I said, a cat's gotta' eat! Right?
Years ago, I went to a doctor and he wanted to prescribe a certain medication. He told me that I needed to take a blood test for kidney and liver function before I could take it. I agreed to get the blood test done but I said that I didn't think that there would be any problems that might contradict taking the meds. He asked me why I thought that. I told him that I had eaten asparagus the night before. He didn't understand what I was talking about.
I explained that when some people eat asparagus it makes their urine smell like a skunk but he still didn't get it. Asparagus contains a substance called asparagusic acid. When you eat it, the asparagusic acid goes into your bloodstream where it's broken down by your liver into the same substance that makes skunks smell. That substance (methyl mercaptan) is, then, excreted by the kidneys.
I reasoned that, if I ate asparagus then, within the hour, it made my urine smell like a skunk my liver must be working normally. If the smell went away after twelve hours, that means my kidneys must be working normally, too. I agreed that this wasn't a definitive test but it's still enough to be presumptive.
The doctor sat there, scratching his head for a moment and said, "Yeah, you're right." I said thanks but asked him to write up the order for the blood test, anyhow, just to be certain. He did that and wrote a scrip for the medication, too. We both agreed that the test was all just a formality, anyhow.
My point is that doctors often think in a linear way that doesn't consider other possibilities and they don't relay all the necessary information to clients, thinking that they don't know or won't understand. I think that you understand your cat's situation well enough to make the right decisions, despite your vet's restrictive orders.
You understand that your cat has had several teeth extracted and that, temporarily, she needs to change her diet. You also understand that your cat needs to eat, despite doctor's orders, and I think you understand well enough to make an informed decision on a compromise diet until her mouth heals.
As I said, a cat's gotta' eat! Right?
.She is beginning to think this might actually be good for me.Keep on going,Team Cosette for the win!
