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Champion (N) Selteteigens Njall Sverre

6th July 2005 - 2nd July 2009

Njall was imported from Norway and came to live with us  November 2007. His life came to a tragic end 2nd July 2009 - he was diagnosed to have heart disease to which we were both extremely shocked and saddened. Medication made him feel more comfortable and he was monitored daily however it became to painful and the medication was not working towards the end so we decided the best thing to do was to let him go. To say I was devastated at his loss is an understatement. We had a full body post mortem at a Veterinary University where the diagnosis was of course confirmed Concentric Cardiomyopathy There appears to be no heart problems noted in the past from his ancestors but of course being old lines, scans were not done.

However, before Njalls illness became apparent he was checked very regularly by our vet with no obvious heart concerns at all. Njall, like our other cats ( of which some became ill and some fatally so) ,  ingested mycotoxins and melamine  from the Applaws dry cat food we were feeding for some time ( tested by us and Trading Standards to confirm its presence). The post mortem states " mycotoxin exposure cannot be ruled out" and now further information is being gathered for the pathologist and his body remains there until this issue is brought to a close. We assumed the food we purchased was "safe" and will be writing more on this issue very soon. CCM can have several causes, with  Njall we do not know the full answer as yet.  Njall had other issues on post mortem findings namely three pancreatic tumours and a gut that appeared to be stripped and blunted which needs further investigation as the effects of mycotoxins can be a cause for these issues as well. Another of our cats who did survive liver failure was Heidall - his pathology reports states the changes in his liver cells are consistent with toxin exposure. We syringe fed him for 4 weeks 2 hourly and he pulled through with intensive veterinary care, however the secondry effect of his condition renders him with cirrhosis so he will not live a full life now. One mycotoxin is bad enough but the cumulative effect of them all is far more serious and as one toxicologist write - it is a lethal cocktail! The mycotoxins found were, Aflatoxin - mainly effects the liver but is also carcinogenic - Ochratoxin - kidney effects and we lost a moggie to a very rapid onset of kidney failure during the feeding of this food, Zearalenone - effects the reproductive organs and fertility - T2 is the most lethal to cats as they cannot break it down like other mammals can - the result of this is diarrhoea vomiting and serious consequences to the intestinal tract as well as pancreatic issue, this can also effect the liver and all organ systems -

I will write a full list of what these toxins can and do do in animals soon. Until then please be extra vigilent when using this or any dry food. Be on the ball for any unusual symtoms. Once we stopped feeding this rubbish our cats returned to normal.

Njall was a beautiful cat of such fantastic quality. He is very sorely missed.

Rest in peace my so sweet boy - I loved you so and I miss you every day and so very much.

My Best Friend

You came into my life quite by chance when you were only 6 weeks old.

You so very sadly left me September 2000 at 8 years old and still I feel the pain of you not being with me  We were best friends without a doubt and shared so many happy moments that will forever be treasured. Many things we experienced together that no one else has shared and some times when sadness loomed you were there to pick me up and dust me off. You looked after me in the face of a threat and I trusted you with my life as you did me. Sadly I could do nothing at the end and to this day I feel so inadequate.

I am sometimes so lost without you and wish so much you were still with me !

I think you knew I loved you so, and I am so very lucky to have been a part of your life.

Rest well my boy.