Have a ball with a python

Dear Dr. Forsythe:
Please help us with a family debate. My son, who is 13 years old, wants to buy a reptile, preferably a snake or a gecko, as a pet. I don’t especially like reptiles, especially snakes.  He’s done a fair amount of research on reptiles and I believe that he would be responsible and take care of a pet. We have two cats, which he loves and helps to take care of. What do you think of reptiles as pets? Do you think this is a good idea?

Hates creepy crawlies

Dear Hates: Sorry to burst your serpent bubble, but I love reptiles as pets. My son Magnus has a Ball Python, Lenny, who is a wonderful part of the family. True, he doesn’t actually “do” a whole lot; in fact, he only really comes out while we are watching “Survivor” on television. That is his one hour a week when he seems to want to slither around and get petted. But reptiles are rather clean and not slimy at all. They can be wonderful pets and spark children’s imaginations and even teach them about geography and science. For instance, pythons are only found in the “old world” such as Africa, while Boa Constrictors are “new world” snakes found in Mexico and South America. I recommend you give some thought to a reptile and do a little research. You may actually see that these animals can make good house pets and add wonder and magic to a child’s life. Thanks for being an open-minded parent!
Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe:
I have two cats, which are 12 years old, and littermates. One just got diagnosed with renal disease – is it really necessary to buy her prescription food that I can only buy at my veterinarian? Can’t I just look at the labels of cat food for the best food for him at a pet food store? Also, can you explain what renal disease is, and how it progresses? Is this something that can be cured?

Kidney concerned

Dear Kidney: It is really important that you buy the low protein food at the veterinary office to make sure it is low protein. Pets in renal failure should eat food that contains approximately 14 percent protein and this is considerably lower than the content in virtually any of the commercial store-bought foods. The rationale for feeding low protein food is that protein is broken down by the body in the liver to nitrogen waste. This waste (BUN) needs to be filtered out by the kidneys, which aren’t working well when your pet has renal disease. By feeding a lower protein diet, less BUN is formed through the digestive process and the kidneys have less work to do. If you look at the labels and buy a store-bought food that is lower than some of the other brands, it will still be higher than your veterinarian’s KD, NF or Royal Canin LP which are specifically designed to keep a pet’s kidneys healthy. I highly recommend adhering to a strict medically designed veterinary plan in order to keep a pet with kidney disease as comfortable as long as possible.

I often tell my clients with a renal kitty that failing kidneys are a little like having a car with failing brakes going down the curvy part of Lombard Street ­—when you get to the bottom, the cat’s life will be over. Our goal is to slow down the speed and prolong the trip down Lombard Street by giving fluids frequently and feeding a low protein diet.

There are also some medications that help filter the blood and act like a dialysis “powder” that you can feed the cat as well. These supportive remedies are designed to keep a pet’s quality of life high and to slow down the progression of this treatable, but non-curable condition. I hope your cat does very well and lives a long time with this condition in a stable, comfortable way. Good luck.

Dr. F.

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