Apologies for this long post and going on about diet, but this seemed the right place to post my concerns. Thank you for explaining the nutrient thing.
Gillian, I am very inclined to leave the Swampcat on l/d (the nicer cans) and add in some minced chicken k/d - now the former's beef and the latter's chicken with some pork liver and the usual other stuff - as he eats it and his coat is good. Tum is a bit hard little football -like since his liver disease which is why I don't buy the vet's notion that his liver is now 'fine'. Over the last 3 months he's been better than he was in January except for the rise in urea and a bit of creatinine. He still has his bad days and I'm under no illusions that the kidneys will get worse and his liver could go again cos it does with cholangiohep in many cases.
I'm concerned though with what Mark's vet said about beef and pork; my vet isn't a nutritionist but says that not all beef/pork are that bad, depends on the cut. Hills of course say they'd never produce a (processed) food that wasn't tested and would be harmful. It is curious that they chose beef (and now pork) for liver patients, chicken and pork liver for CRF patients on wet food and use chicken more in their dry foods. Then again, they cut beef because could not guarantee the right quality. Who to believe?!
then they push d/d at me - one reason could be is that as a new product it won't change and they know how I/the cats react to changes in food! - but it looks not so good for kidneys or liver.
Max I would like to leave on i/d (which is now all turkey I think, the American site has cut the chicken from its ingredients) and give him some k/d chicken as 'pudding'.
I may gradually phase in the k/d as the main food although as it's got bits in it, Swamp finds it a bit harder to eat - so on his iffy days, he's going to want a 'lick' food.
The beef l/d has unquestionably helped his liver recover gradually, along with the pills. I wonder if it can be implicated in the sudden rise in urea or if it's just a coincidence. I first took Swamp for a geriatric blood test as he was drinking so much and doing copious pees but the bloods then for kidney function were normal. (I'd thought it was his kidneys). That was last September; his creatinine hasn't moved too far upscale - more the urea.
Sorry for the long post - wondered how important the actual nutrients are or are the ingredients even more crucial ? ie fat's low, phosphorus low etc but it's beef or pork so avoid.
Btw before l/d, cats were given the same Hills food as CRF when had liver disease.
I'd really like to know what you think about my Great Food Strategy! Max has also got what the vet calls 'early renal failure'; I think he could be worse than his urinalysis showed as it's more concentrated as he doesn't drink much at all.
Phew! How is Mr C doing today Mark and was the out of date Katalax a big, middling or small success
Btw minced chook k/d is NOT constipating!
