Are fires carcinogenic? ( and really for cat lovers)

[JoceAndChris]

On Tuesday we lost our beloved cat to oral squamous cell carcinoma - mouth cancer


Of all the hard things I've coped with in Beacon Cottage this has been the hardest, and I blame myself. The cancer is associated with second hand cigarette smoke ( we don't smoke) flea collars ( he didn't wear one) and a tinned food diet. He had the tinned food diet, mixed with biscuits and fresh meat, but too much reliance on conveniences sachets. I've now spoken with a top breeder and she says raw bones are the answer; raw chicken wings are excellent for teeth-cleaning, and should be given in the evening with biscuits always down and wet food only in the morning. The vet said this cancer is a very common cause of death for older cats so I feel duty bound to write this as I know some of you are cat keepers ( and I think dogs can get this too).

I know our pets will die no matter what but I wanted him to reach 18. He was almost 12.

I am very concerned that he constantly licked the carcinogenic woodsmoke from his fur and that landed in spots of decay in the mouth. I'm also a bit concerned for our own health but we don't lie by the fire and lick ourselves.

Does anyone know if any studies have been done?

 

[Feltwell]

Joce, very sorry to hear about your cat, but I really wouldn't beat yourself up about the cause of his death. 12 years sounds quite reasnoble for a cat - I know they can live as long as 18 or beyond, but I think that's exceptional. A quick Google on cat lifespan says a male indoor cat lives on average for 12 to 14 years. Sadly, to get an average you'll have some that die younger and some older.

Cancer is a horrible disease but I really don't think you can blame it on open fires or processed foods on the basis of one cat. We know in humans that certain activities can significantly increase the likelihood of cancer, but I bet many of us know of someone who has had cancer with no obvious cause and no family history of the disease - I certainly do.

I really can't see that it would be anything that you've done.

 

[worms]

Joce,

Sorry to hear about the cat, it must be a great loss. He obviously had a good life, enjoyed his surroundings and was well loved and cared for.

If you are interested in the background research (which seems to be fairly minimal) on the causes, there is an abstract of the main paper here but it doesn't say much more than you have mentioned in your post above.

 

[angrybird]

Dear Joce and Chris I am so very sorry to hear about your sad loss,your puss had the most loving home .the best food and the best care and attention.I don't think for one minute it came from the fire smoke.its a very cruel disease that can appear in any animal at anytime.
Please don't blame yourselves,think of the fantastic life you gave him and all the pleasure he gave back, there can't be many cats in the world that had a life like his.
Thanks for the tips on the chicken bones I have never given the dog or cats the bones because i'm scared of them choking but I will now be adding them to their diet.
One thing for sure he will never be forgotten by you or the members on PPUK I for one loved to see his pictures they always bought a smile to my face

Much love to you both , i'm thinking of you xxxxxxxxxx

 

[88v8]

Like losing a family member...

We cried when our cat died. We buried him in his garden. I made a cross with his name & dates.
He lived to nineteen on a diet of tinned & sachets. And, when he could get his paws on them, cheese & onion crisps, Marmite, choc ices.
We had an open fire every week.. in our previous house this was.

No fault of yours. Stuff happens. Twelve years is a good age. You've obviously been a good Mum. Look on it as an opportunity to give a good home to another puss.

Ivor

 

[vicky whitworth]

Dear Joce I'm so sorry about your magnificent cat passing on. It's such a hard time. He will have passed though to a place where all is heaven for cats. I don't think you should blame yourself. Although many cats live to a grand old age, most don't. Many get killed at a young age on the roads. We lost our Kipper Cat when he was 12. He suddenly went down hill and got horrible problems with his eyes until the vet said there was no more she could do for him. I blamed myself - if I'd noticed sooner, if I'd not shouted at him when he stole food...
I'm sure lying in front of the fire and licking won't have killed him. Millions of cats do it and most don't die in that way. Similarly with feeding tinned cat food. Most cats eat it and most cats don't die that way. He had a wonderful, wonderful life and you have all those memories. Take care of yourself. Vicky

 

[skier-hughes]

You don't want to be giving chicken bones to dogs. Give them good sized cow knuckle or shank bones to gnaw on, or buy them rope/nylon toys, let them chew big sticks outside, but small bones for dogs end up being broken up and then tried to be swallowed ending up in serious injury or death due to internal cuts/choking.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Good point Graham. My mentioning of chicken wings was recommended for cats only, and they must be raw. Cooked tiny bones can choke the cat. I think it's likely an older cat who has never seen a chicken wing or leg may just look with puzzlement but I don't know. If in doubt it's always worth chatting to the vet about the diet for your pet.


But oh, thank you for the very very kind replies. I hesitated to post about it but I'm glad I did. Reading those lovely calm words is like a balm, thank you xxxxxxxxxx

Our pets are the life of our homes, especially with no little ones. They really are a constant inspiration and joy.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Worms - thank you for the link to the paper, it was interesting. I wish the researchers had also asked the pet owners if they had smoky fires.

But I take the point that it's luck of the draw with such things.

 

[Flyfisher]

So sorry to hear your sad news Joce.

I grew up with a cat from about age 7 (though he was supposedly my sister's) and he lived to be 21 so was pretty much part of the family fixtures and fittings. Indeed he was more of a family fixture than my childhood homes as he lived through three house moves.

Don't fret about the causes. He lived to a good age and you should just remember the good times and the wonderful life you gave him.

 

[Schoolmarm]

Big bones from weight bearing limbs cause problems with excessive tooth wear and also if they manage to ingest any, internal blockages.


RAW chicken wings are fab. The bone doesn't splinter as it is too soft. Tess has three for tea every night, and kibble for breakfast. A proper RAW or BARF diet doesn't contain any weight bearing bone and is mainly made up of ribs, neck bones, chicken carcases etc.


Joce, I hope you stop blaming yourself, McCav had a fantastic life with you. xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Joce, very sorry to hear about your cat, it always sad to say goodbye, but rest assured it is not down to anything you should or should not have done. 14 years ago we had to deal with a totally unexpected, sudden death of a 9 month old pedigree labrador. We were horrified, but extensive tests carried out at Cambridge revealed absolutely no cause, it was as inexplicable as ( with all due respect) 'cot death'.

Most of us enjoy 10-12 years of fun with our dogs and cats anything over that is a bonus. Despite our lively new addition we still wonder if Raffles really enjoyed the last few months of his 14 year life, as he displayed all the typical labrador creakiness and weakness of the joints, so loosing his dignity.

You can only do your best to care for your pets, and a good Vet will guide you through their lifetime, dealing with each 'ailment, as it arises .

Cheer up and have happy memories.
xxxxx

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thank you 'Marm for the excellent thumbs up for chicken wings. Can you buy them in bulk?

Thank you Joss and I'm so sorry for your sad, sad losses. The death of a new puppy must be appalling.

I wish I'd taken M to the vet more as his death was a total shock, I took him to an emergency vet Tuesday night as suddenly he wasn't eating or drinking, and he was swaying and falling against the wall. The day before he'd been dancing round the garden with me and the chickens and eating steak. He was a plump, sleek, larger than life fellow who hunted every day right up to his penultimate day. But the vet said the use of his mouth was now finished, he pointed out the cancer had reached up to the eye (on the inside, causing swelling) and that's why he was dehydrated and swaying, and he advised that he was put to sleep immediately as they can only survive 3 days without water.

The vet said they don't feel pain like humans do so I'd imagine, Joss, that your Labrador loved his last year with you, did not over-analyse his condition, accepting it as an immutable fact, and continuing with his doggy ways as much as he could. Hard for you to watch though.

But yes, many many happy years with that bagpussy old tiger.

 

[LadyArowana]

Lovely picture of you both Joce. Happy memories. Don't worry that you should have done anything differently, imagine if you had decided to stay in London, he could have gotten out onto the road or any manner of other things. Then you would have wished that you had moved to the country. Even if we could change the past there might be unintended consequences to what might seem to be the wisest of decisions. Speaking with my Star Trek nerd hat on I recommend the episode "Tapestry" from the TNG series as illustration of that.

 

[Schoolmarm]

Yes and you can even get organic from Ocado. I buy lots then freeze in a bag 3 at once.

In a morning, I get a bag out and put out to defrost. They are usually ok by evening meal time. I used to leave on frozen to slow her down and increase the tooth cleaning effects but it was a bit horrid really as it wouldn't taste of anything.

My Mum brushes her greyhound's teeth every day and her vet has confirmed a significant mprovement with teeth and gums.

 

[Moo]

Oh, poor you, Joce. People who haven't known the delight of sharing their home with a much-loved pet can have no idea how heartbreaking it is, and what a huge hole they leave.
When you're ready you will, of course, bring another cat (a kitten from a rescue centre?) into your house and give it, too, a perfect life. And don't feel guilty about 'getting a replacement' because of course every pet is, in its own way, irreplaceable. What you will bringing home is a successor...
xxx M

 

[vicky whitworth]

And there are so many kitties that need lovely homes. You will never forget him and I guess it's all very raw at the moment. But, at some time in the future when the time is right, another kitty will be setting off on a new adventure mousing in the Ha Ha. It's a job and someone has got to do it.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Oh, so kind. And all so true.

2 days after Macavity died we were woken by scratching. Mice have moved in under the floorboards; they've no respect! We are going to look at kittens tomorrow, I'd like 4.

 

[philpjuk100]

So sorry to hear about the loss of your pet,When our kitten Odie died a couple of years ago we adopted a cat,a,ginger we call Fred from the Sleaford cat rescue which I think is not too far from you,they check you and your property out but are really caring .

 

[vicky whitworth]

Get four - you can then have one in each colourway. We couldn't cope with four so we got just the one but Kit Caboodle came in all the colourways - she's a naughty tortie.

Unless kittens come ready spayed/de-b****cked it works out pretty expensive per kitten. We've just paid £90 for spaying, then she got an infection that was another tenner for biotics, then the vet wanted her to wear an Elizabethan ruff - that was another few quid, then the Boodle decided she didn't want to be an Elizabethan so we persuaded the vet to give us a refund on the ruff...and so it goes on... :?

Albert Herring, on the other hand, came from Cats' Protection already 'done'.