08/24/06 Is the New West

Something was wrong with Quigley, over the last few days he stopped eating, he no longer responded to his name and he lost the ability to move his legs. He appeared to have had a stroke. Not wanting him to suffer we made our last trip together to our vet. The vet informed me the odd "onion- like" smell he was omitting was caused by zinc Phosphide poisoning, a pesticide farmers use to control mice. Quigley, the cat who proceeded over our family for 14 years, who was with me when I buried one son and sent two others to college was fighting for his life simply because some buffoon carelessly misapplied a rodent pesticide. Typically, Zinc Phosphide is applied in the fall by a licensed applicator . We are baffled how our old cat, who rarely leaves the property, got a hold of a dose or a lethal mouse. So because I have been privy to the cruel process of watching an animal suffer from internal poisoning , you can bet I will take it upon myself to make sure that orchardists, farmers and pet owners are aware of proper application and protection. Stay tuned the Quigley saga isn't over yet. He is fighting for his life and so am I. http://scarab.msu.montana.edu/extension/MT_PAT/Info/zincphos.htm