Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: swampmaxmum on January 23, 2007, 17:18:05 PM
-
Hello everyone, I'm pretty desperate. My 15 yr old burmese has cholangiohepatitis and nearly died in October. Since then he's been eating canned L/D from Hills which pretty much stopped his vomiting. He was doing well. When he vomited it, I knew it was time for more blood tests as his ALT was right up again. He's on ursodial liver pills for a bit longer and SAMe (Zentonyl) supplements, but his outlook, health and quality of life all depend on his eating enough every day.
Everything was under control until Hills decided to change the canned L/d diet with no warning. Instead of a reasonably smelly, palatable, soft beef based food it is now a rubbery, odourless pork based food. My cat won't eat it at all & I've tried everything. My well cat won't eat it (he's a dustbin). My burmese has lived on 3 continents and has coped well with food changes so there's no point in Hills insisting that he will eat it eventually. No he won't. I've tried him on other foods for kidney disease (like K/D or VetXX's Specific) and he will eat them, but they often cause him to vomit, plus I can only feed him very small amounts. He becomes distressed and disoriented when he vomits.
I have called Hills twice and their response was to send me one tray of old stock food each time, but now they say no more, he has to switch. Their decision is putting my cat's life in danger. I am so upset and angry. I asked for the name and contact details for whoever at the Hills corporation is in charge of customer relations and/or 'food science' as well only to be refused.
I don't know what to feed my cat if my last chance saloon fails - my friend in France is going to try to find some there to see if maybe it is still the beef food and then I will try to buy up and courier as many trays as possible, if possible. In the meantime, I have to ration the tray I have left so he is crying and no-one's getting much sleep.
How can they get away with changing the food of such seriously ill and often nauseous cats when there was nothing wrong with the old one. It must be because it's cheaper to produce with pork and my cat is just a statistic to them. He's been my best friend in the world for 15 years. I told them the whole story but they just don't seem to care if their decision makes his life shorter and more traumatic.
Is there anyone else out there who has a liver diseased cat who has the same problem please? Can you ask your vet next time you speak to him or her if they have heard about this and any complaints.
-
I find what you say very disturbing, what does your vet say?
Who have you spoken to at Hills cos you really need to write to the managing director and not by email. I thought, maybe wrongly that Hills must be a good company as so many animals depend on their products , my Kocka did also and without them many cats would not have survived.
I wish I knew the answer to your problem, but doesntbyour vet?
-
Just out of curiosity I did a search for Hills cat Food, expecting to come up with a website but after 10 pages, still nothing...........what company makes Hills, please dont say Hills ;D.
I gave all my Hills ad away so cant look at a can.
-
if they wont give you the old food before it all dissapears perhaps you can tell a few of us who to conntact & food details & we all can try & get some for you, that will give you a bit more time to get sorted.
Sorry to say alot of vets & these companies are working hand in hand as with many sistuations in life THE £ SIGN has become the important issue not anybodies pet.
Gill think its a German company now that makes the food
-
Is it Saffron, has it changed in last 3 yrs.........my memory completely lost in space I think. ;D
-
Ok found some details now and the Hills UK site 2007 is still saying that L?D is beef
http://www.prescriptiondiet.com/zSkin_2/products/product_details_eu.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441760600&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474395183417&bmUID=1169575091653&bmLocale=en_GB
You need to go into the adobe version and it shows the contents.
This site gives you the websites for Hills and contact numbers
http://www.felinecrf.org/catfood_manufacturers.HTM
I was just wondering whether you have been given an imported version of the L/D or whether Hills have changed its make up, their site does not indicate this.
You prob have done a lot of investigation yourself but just in case, the above may help.
I find it a bit strange that Hills would completely change the formula of a prescription food without publicity through vets at least and I do remember that on Cat Chat we had a russian lady who told us that the standard cat foods we buy over here are not the same in Russia, Poland etc, theres are of a very low quality.
I have seen in my quick searches that many of the Hills foods apparantly cannot be sent outside the UK, which tends to indicate maybe that we are getting something slightly different to other countries.
Please keep us uptodate with this cos many peeps on Purrs use Hills prescription food, so this will be of great interest if they are changing their formula for food.
-
Took Tiggy to the vets tonight for her monthly jab, they didn't have any at my branch but I rang the larger branch and they have 24 cans (a case) of L/D with 'E' on. As it is a prescription food they would need you to fax a prescription over and they will add your cats name to my account and sell it to you that way, they said that you can pay over the phone with a debit or credit card (£24.50). I can then collect them for you and post them as long as you were to cover the postage costs.
Let me know if you want to go ahead and I will PM you the vets phone and fax numbers. They are holding them for me at the moment so if you could let me know either way....
Edited to add: If it turns out not to require a prescription (having checked the vetuk site I think Charlotte (team svartalfheim) is right) I think a few lines on headed paper from your vet saying that they have advised he be on this food would suffice.
-
As it is a prescription food they would need you to fax a prescription over and they will add your cats name to my account and sell it to you that way,
That's utter madness as you do not need a prescription to buy prescription food.
-
Well that's what the receptionist said...
-
I dont know if I am right but for certain of the foods maybe you do. I used to always get Kockas AD from her vet so never had a problem, but I am sure that I saw somewhere that if I bought it online I would need a prescription.
I hope that Swamp is gonna come back and read the replies soon.
So kind of you Helen ;D
-
VetUk sells this type online with no prescription.
http://www.vetuk.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=62_66_104&products_id=417 and the pdf link with details says its first ingredient is beef.
-
Here is the link to the hills site: http://www.hillspet.com/zSkin_2/products/product_details_eu.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441760600&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474395183417&bmUID=1169582782141&bmLocale=en_GB
http://www.bestpetpharmacy.co.uk/detailed_product.asp?id=13588 sell it
-
Many thanks everyone for the response. I have pm'd the very kind Tiggy's Mum Helen. thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! One tray is great as it's another 24 days. I have been in touch with Hills, who have not updated their website. They are now claiming the beef food is 'unavailable' ( where is all the old stock then?!). The web suppliers can only access the new pork food. Hills insist that my cat will eat it eventually (er, no, I know him just slightly better than they do). The food we get here is imported from the USA. I think I am on some kind of blacklist for having the temerity to kick up a fuss as another vet tried for me, used my name and got a terse response.
I've paid this company ££££s for their food over many years, so alternate between anger and anxiety on this one.
Swamp is yowling right now as fancies more tonight than his one can ration, bless him.
Swampy has now checked back in and sends his best burmese purr.
-
Have replied to PM....
-
Lets hope that Helens vet can get a good supply of it for you.
I am still apalled at Hills cos this is so important and they should understand that cats dont just change to another flavoured food like that.
I wonder if there is anything peeps on Purrs can do, like all of us emailing Hills? or will that make matters worse, is that possible, I wonder.
-
Fingers crossed you can find enough, I can't believe that a company like Hills would say that a cat would just eat it eventually, prescription diets are for poorly animals, so even less likely to do it than a healthy cat. I think the prescription diets do have to have some kind of control on them - when Snowy had k/d, it had to all go on her file how much we had and when, but I think it is only from the point of making sure that people dont give their poorly pets the wrong food, it's not a prescription per se - but I can understand Helen's vet wanting to make sure that the cat needs it. If I remember on Thurs, I will ask at my vets.
-
Helen - I have pm'd you and a huge thank you from me and the furry one.
Yes, Desley (booktigger?! a literary feline?) The point I made with Hills was that it was totally unacceptable to change the diet of cats that are really ill especially as not only do ill cats get really fussy and set in their ways, but liver disease patients feel sick a lot and have a tendency to vomit easily so once you have a food that works etc etc. The even trickier bit is that they have to eat in order to stay alive too - just a few days off food for a liver patient is very serious. Hills do seem oblivious though and say that they are not budging from their decision.
-
Mission accomplished! 34 cans on their way to you.... Really hope that you can find some more from another source. Please give Swampy a gentle headkiss from me and Tiggy.
-
You are a :Luv: :wow: ;D :hug: and :thanks:
that's about it for emoticons.
A purr from Swampy to Tiggy too.....he's nearly eaten his can today and is now playing!
If anyone else does hear of any cans, would be very grateful if you'd post or contact me by pm.
-
If anyone else tracks down these L/D cans the old Beef version has the capital letter E next to the recycle symbol on the label, the new yucky ones have IA.
-
I will ring my vets and see if they have any. I wonder what the IA stands for as opposed to the E. It makes me wonder if the labels are different whether they actually have stopped making the ones with an E and maybe they are just not allowing this country to have them. Think I gonna email Hills and ask them.
-
Thanks Gill. Let me know asap if they do please! The IA is code for the horrible new formula with pork. Hills get their food and orders from HQ in Kansas, USA. I'm not sure if the food in the US is the same as here or not though.
-
At a guess would have to think that E stands for Europe but cant think what IA can stand for, just feel by the fact there are two differing types of food with different labels means that one lot is going one part of world and other part going somewhere else.
-
Right have just emailed Hills. Lets see what they have to say ;D
-
Will try and remember to ask at my vets tonight.
-
I will call and ask mine tonight too
What does LD stand for so I know what I am asking for?
I want Hills L/D food with an E next to the recycle label?
-
L/d is liver diet. Swampy and I are looking for the canned variety, not the dry. yes, the capital letter E is in a little box just next to the recycle symbol on the label. If the box contains an IA, it's the new yuk stuff.
Thanks everyone, much appreciated. Is there anyone else out there whose kitty has or has had liver disease? I was wondering what you fed him/her.
-
Have just spoken to my vets and they did not have any but will ring Hills to see if they can get some, I have told them if they can, you are wanting as much as possible with in reason LOL.
So keeping fingers crossed.
Have not had a reply back from Hills though, will chase them if I dont hear by tomorrow.
-
Many thanks Gill but please ask the vets (if they don't mind) to say it's for one of their own liver patients as I'm sure that's the only way it may be possible. Paws crossed.
I was just working out how many ££s they've had from me over the years >:(
-
Too late LOL, but they dont know who its for and are using my account although I have said its for a friend whos cat will die without it. I havent been asked for a prescription ..............................yet :rofl:
However lets not cross bridge before its built. I should hear tomorrow.
If they can get some I have asked then to tell me how much a tray will be but how much do you want?
-
Also like Helen you will need to pay them over the phone , right lets keep those paws all crossed ;D
-
Gill, I'll buy as many as they are prepared to sell me of the old trays. I have to stockpile as they will run out of it.
Paws really really crossed! I'll login tomorrow and hope for the best.
Thank you so much for your kindness in helping the Swampcat!
-
I managed to forget I'm afraid - am back next week and the week after though, I might just manage to remember at some point!! In response to your question about liver food, I have had a cat with raised liver enzymes which then developed into cholangiohepatitis, when she was diagnosed (3 years ago this month actually), teh vet recommended one Hills diet, but they had discontinued it, so she had k/d, which was actually the kidney diet. When it developed further, she was also given i/d, but we were at the stage where it was more getting anythign into her than worrying what she was eating. She only ate her 'special' food about 10% of the time, but she did prefer the dry over the wet - I accepted that she would'nt have as long as I couldn't get her to eat the special food, but chose quality over quantity. I wonder if RC do a liver diet, I know they do a kidney diet.
-
As far as i know RC Waltham do not do a liver diet as i was looking this up on the net last night. The only one they do is for dogs. Not quite sure why!
-
http://www.bestpetpharmacy.co.uk/detailed_product.asp?id=13588 not sure how their prices compare but if they have it as advertised on their website you can probably get plenty from them (might be worth sending them an email and checking it's the old stock rather then the pork stuff first)
-
Not sure if anyone has already mentioned it but vetuk also have the beef version on their website
http://www.vetuk.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=417
It's possible they've just not updated the details but it would be worth checking with individual retailers (as opposed to Hills themselves) whether they have any of the beef in stock. Even if they can only access the pork one in future they may still have the beef one in stock.
-
Yep I did Susanne, but not sure that's the one...I sent an email asking but haven't had a reply yet, couldnt find a phone number to just call and ask!
-
Many thanks everyone for the response. I have been in touch with Hills, who have not updated their website. They are now claiming the beef food is 'unavailable' ( where is all the old stock then?!). The web suppliers can only access the new pork food.
I think Swampy's Mum has tried the online suppliers but I would imagine that they have a much larger turnover of stock than an individual veterinary surgery so only have the new yucky foods in stock, I have emailed a couple myself and this is certainly the case with the ones I contacted.
If anyone else can check with their vets to see if they have any old stock (with a capital E next to the recycle stmbol on the label) I know Swampy's Mum, and of course Swampy himself, would be very grateful and would cover all costs.
-
Its gonna be interesting see what Hills tell my vets cos they are gonna ring then tomorrow.
-
I wasn't sure whether swampys mum had tried the individual retailers or was just going by what Hills had said.
Unfortunately my vets don't keep much food in stock - they just buy it in for people as needed. but I will give them a ring tomorrow and check whether they have any in.
-
If all the vets sudenly start ringing Hills and asking for this food it cause a bit of a stir maybe ;D
-
I have tried all the online retailers and they can only access new stock. I think the only chance is old stock already bought by vets or by vets persuading Hills to part with some old stock. I do wonder what Hills do with old stock when they change foods - surely not trash it?
I've never heard of Hills m/d and can't see it on their website - what is it please Lyn?
Swampy vomits any dry food. He also vomits k/d whether I mix it with water to soften it or not. The most he's ever kept down is a teaspoonful. He needs to eat about a can a day of something nourishing. When the l/d runs out, I'll have to try i/d or Hills recommend d/d but they aren't for liver disease (and who knows, with a piggy deal maybe they will go porcine too?!)
When he was in hospital his ALT was over 1500. Eating l/d it was down to 58 a couple of weeks ago when he had his bloods done again. I know once he gets really bad again, it's a question of getting any food in him, never mind what. But what Hills have done is make that day closer.
I am really disappointed that RCanin don't do a liver food. Do they do a very palatable canned kidney food or is it hard like k/d? Before he got ill, he was on RC senior dry kidney and osteo and doing well on that.
The best chance is if many vets complain to Hills about the change with liver patients who need to eat to live more than any other disease and who it's often the hardest to get to eat.
Thanks everyone who's trying and for the much needed support.
-
Swampy - RC do Renal food in pouches, I have some of each flavour here that I am willing to send through the post for you to try on him (they were donated by my vet, and are in date) - if you want, just pm me with the details and I will try and remember to send them!! I have heard of m/d, but didn't think it was liver food, I thought it was diabetic food. I also have pouches of i/d, you are welcome to one of those too.
-
I'm going to the vets this afternoon, so I will check whether they have got any in stock too.
Much as it pains me to suggest it - have you tried Pets at Home, they seem to stock all sorts of random hills cat foods, not sure if they only stock the non 'prescription diet' ones though :-/
-
Thanks again. I'll check again whether Pets at Home were rung up. I seem to have rung everyone google came up with!
Desley, have pm'd you. :thanks:
-
Thanks Lyn. I don't think Swampy (or Max, who has recently started vomiting - no diagnosis yet) are allowed too much protein. Good luck with George; glad it's working.
-
Just got back from the vets, unfortunately they don't keep it in stock so ordering some probably won't help you :(
-
My vets have rung back and they have spoken to Hills who i am afraid said none in beef only in pork, so sorry. :(
My vets were very kind and said if I needed any more help just to ring them, even though they knew it wasnt my cat.
I do hope that some other vets may have some stocks but think you need to start looking for a viable alternative so that hope fully you can wean him onto something different while you still have some of the beef there.
What does your vet suggest?
-
Hi swampys mum, i remembered seeing a can food for liver/kidneys that wasnt a veterinary diet, it took me a while to find it but here it is:
12x85g cans http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/canned_cat_food_pouches/kattovit/14028 (http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/canned_cat_food_pouches/kattovit/14028)
6x175g can http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/canned_cat_food_pouches/kattovit/14011 (http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/canned_cat_food_pouches/kattovit/14011)
P+p is free on orders of £29+. I have never seen/smelt this food so dont know how palatable it is but its worth a try.
HTH
-
Been doing a bit of a seach and found this page: http://www.petz.co.uk/acatalog/Petz_Catalogue_Whiskas_112.html item 3 and 4 are whiskas low protein / low phosphorous. Don't know if Whiskas still make this food as the web page was last update in 2000 but it might be worth contacting them to see.
Also found this: In the US Eukanuba do a canned food for renal failure ... can't seem to find it in the UK. Again it might be worth contacting them: http://us.iams.com/iams/en_US/jsp/IAMS_Page.jsp?pageID=PL&productID=115
Purina Diet NF available in cans: http://www.catclinic.co.uk/acatalog/Purina_Veterinary.html avaialbe in the Uk (product info sheet: http://www.purinaveterinarydiets.com/FelineProductDetail.aspx?prod=16)
Royal Canin Renal: http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/acatalog/Royal_Canin_Waltham_Veterinary_Diet_Feline.html#a14469 (7th item down the page)
Most of the info was found via this site : http://www.felinecrf.com/managd.htm
Sorry to overload you but hopefully you will be able to find an alternative that Swampy likes :)
-
That's a lot to go on with. Many,many thanks oh lovely, kind cat people! I googled until I was blue in the face trying to find wet food. Those American felines have a lot more choice, don't they. Am I wrong in thinking that it isn't allowed to ship in cat food from America?
That link for wet RC food (I thought they only did dry) is also very helpful. Pouches of beef or chicken are definitely worth a try. The only problem is gravy makes him whoops as it's too rich. Millys Mum you are a lot better at navigating zooplus than I am - spent ages on that site too. I'll see if I can get small samples of them.
A friend in France has volunteered to send me 2 cans of their liver prescription diet which says the magic word boeuf. I hope they arrive in usable condition - they don't do weekends so will be frozen in a depot until Monday (does that matter with canned food? I am getting manic with worry as these are crucial 'trial cans'). The good news on that is that if it doesn't make him sick, I can order up to 25 trays of it through my ex vet there!! The bad news is the delivery cost, but as you all know, when it comes to the furry ones, money just has to be found.
Hope 2 is enough to do the test.....or I will have a lot of unwanted grub :Crazy:
Otherwise I will have to reconcile myself to an alternative and possible vomiting every day. What do your vets say? Mine insists that after any vomiting, even regurg, no food for at least 6 hours. Sometimes the boys are hungry and I lower that to 5 (and small amounts). With liver disease, you have a target to reach every day of food eaten. If it's the odd day with a vomit, that's ok, but if it's every day he could end up getting less than 1/4 can a day.
Fingers and paws crossed and thank you all.
-
The cans should be fine in the depot.
I dont know about vomitting cos mine do it all time cos they love eating grass, Misa has just upchucked all over the desk and the food is full of grass, now he will be eating again cos he is hungry. I guess it depends on why they are sick, with mine its grass and fur.
sasa is a complete mystery cos she must eat more fur than anyone and I have never seen her sick, unless she goes outside and does it.
I hope that the french cans or zooplus cans will do it for Swampy.
What does your vet say about the food situation and the change in the Hills food? What does he recommend that Swampy eats now?
-
The only problem is gravy makes him whoops as it's too rich.
I've always found that with mine too, for years he's never had food in gravy because it makes him sick, but now he is on RC sensitive and that is gravy based although it is nowhere near as rich and not really terribly 'gravy'like and he is absolutely fine with it. So you may well find the same!
-
Will try and get the stuff sent for you today - I think it may be in gravy though. The i/d is, but that is chicken flavour, think the RC is chicken or beef, will send one of each. I never followed rules about feeding after Snowy was sick, I didnt have the net when seh was first diagnosed, so it took months to associate her vomiting with her liver probs, and we had locum vets at the time, I think a different vet did all 4 of her blood tests that year!! If she threw up, she would just yowl for more food, and I would make her wait about half an hour, and then give her more, she rarely threw it up the second time. I wasn't given any targets for food into her either. I would talk to your vet about alternatives.
-
Hi everyone. Swampy's having a good day so far - on his old food. Thanks for the help! My vet isn't sure about what to give him as an alternative as he accepts that he's doing really well on the old l/d. He's a sole practioner and busy and hasn't really got around to it yet. We've tried a few things. He thinks RC must do a wet food that may work but so far it's been delegated to me. His own cat isn't ill but vomits everything but i/d so he suggested that as a fallback. It doesn't have the nutrients liver patients need though.
We see him doing so well on the old food, it just makes me very angry and he can understand that. When Swampy gets really bad, it will be question of eating whatever, but right now his life and quality of life would be prolonged by the right food.
Which is the exact link for the RC Sensitive - does it have any vitamins (like K) in it and taurine and copper please? RC's website is very disappointing.
-
There is some info on the US site, not sure if it's going to be the same for the UK products but it will be similar I guess (although this refers to 'canned' whereas mine are sachet in gravy and a foil tray pate type). The UK royal canin site only seems to list the 'normal' foods and not the veterinary diets.
http://www.walthamusa.com/Learning%20Center/RD30-canned.html
Not sure if they'd be appropriate for your use, but 'll happily send you a couple of samples if you would like - send me a pm with your details.
-
Didn't get chance to get to the post office today, was waiting for the vet to ring. Will take them to work with me on Mon though, and get them sent. It might be worth ringing RC rather than go on their website. The RC Renal with beef is low phosphorus, restricted high quality protein. Does say you need vets opinion before feeding for more than 6 months. Vits are D & E, copper is 3.00mg/kg - anything else you want? I will leave the box by the comp in case. Phone number is 0800 717 800 - what I have is actually manufactured for the EU and imported in.
-
Thanks again! I am going to have to get my vet to concentrate this week and ring and find the best food, but may give RC a ring myself too so thanks for the number. Gravy makes me a bit nervous in case it is rich as anything even vaguely rich makes him vomit. He needs palatable, but sticky (eat slowly) food. I'll get back to you on that - many thanks.
My friend who ' couriered' me 2 cans of french liver diet - the courier normally takes 24 hours. It left on wednesday and can be tracked by email - arrived at the south London depot at 4am today. That's really bad luck. That's also 5 days in freezing temperatures. I wonder if the cans are still usable? Hills US say not to freeze their food, opened or unopened. I may have to get some more sent on a real 24 hrs delivery after complaining!(think 24 hrs in a freezing truck or plane would be ok?!)
Edit: They have arrived. The label looks right. My friend packed them very well (only one dent) in plastic padding and jiffy bag. They are cold. My inclination is to wait 24 hours to open and see if he eats it. If he does and doesn't vomit (pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeez paws and fingers crossed that the new US formula hasn't reached France yet and won't for ages) they can organise me many trays to come (that will also take days in a freezing truck in Feb!!).
Maybe better freezing than boiling?!
-
Keeping fingers crossed that it works ;D
-
I wouldn't be overly worried about the temperature, I don't think it has actually been below freezing in the UK (not sure about France though) and I would imagine that most warehouses where the Hills or indeed any pet food comes from would be pretty cold so even the food that you get direct from your vets has probably been subject to the same sort of temperatures. After all it would have had to have got from the factory, to the warehouse, to the individual supplier under the same sort of conditions that it underwent before reaching you.
Let us know how Swampy gets on with it....
-
HAve sent you a pm.
-
Waiting to hear from the vets in France as to what they can get for me. The one can that arrived from my friend went down the hatch fine so is clearly beef.
I just hope they still have some trays left and that I can get them here as that will take the pressure off for many months IF it works.
Paws, fingers and all appendages crossed.
Failing that, it's back to the 'which one makes him not vomit' search again and thanks for all your help everyone. It feels lonely at a time like this and you've helped me cope too. :thanks:
-
You are part of a great big cat family now and we all try and help each other, and learn by what problems others have had. Lets hope that you can get a regular supply from France. ;D
There is another thread I just seen , cant remember title grrrrrrrrrrr, but the cat also has liver probs and will not eat Hill L/D, whats the better its the grotty pork one and if who ever it is sees this thrtead they may find some better options.
-
Fingers crossed you can get a regular supply from France, and I do promise to get round to the food at some point!!
-
I *just* have to find some affordable (vaguely) way of transporting the stockpiled cans! We weren't in the very English areas like Dordogne. The expiry date is apparently July 08 so I'm hoping that they can give me lots. I'm sure soon they will be forced into the new formula porky yuk too. The vet is ordering me mucho trays and if they arrive and are not with my friend the little E in the label box, I will definitely go beserk!
Horrible thing about liver disease is that his tum goes so tense and hard. Today he hasn't vomited so far but is clearly unhappy and nauseous. Any slight change in food (hardly eats when he's like this anyhow) would definitely mean whoops.
I believe Hills are part of Colgate Palmolive so I will be changing my own brand of toothpaste - hardly a huge dent on their profits, but still. >:(
-
i finally got a reply to my question to Hills but its so long since I asked the question I cant remember exactly what I asked. I am sure that the answer does not reply but it does say that the LD diet has been reformulated and the way its reading is sorta with a yawn..............like, not another one asking about LD diet!
Have to say my opinion of Hills has gone right down and how they can reformulate something so important and use pork which you very rarely see in cat food, I dont know but I do think peeps on Purrs should start emailing Hills and asking them questions about this.
-
My last email to Hills asked them why they had changed this product and told them that many cats didnt like the new version and would die because of this change and this was their dumb reply:
Hill's Prescription Diet Feline l/d has recently been reformulated to overcome difficulties with sourcing adequate supplies of the beef ingredient. By reformulating the food, we are minimising the risk of interruptions to supply because of ingredient availability.
Please be reassured that the reformulated product provides the same high palatability, nutritional goodness and support for the pet as the previous formulation.
Should an owner with a pet on any therapeutic food encounter difficulties with acceptance, we would encourage the owner to contact their vet for advice at the earliest opportunity. In addition, Hill's staff are always keen to offer help and support, when required. We provide a Veterinary Technical Advice Service, which welcomes contact from veterinary clinic staff, should a vet wish to discuss a pet's feeding using products from our ranges. In addition, the staff on our free Helpline, 0800 282438, are available to offer assistance. This Helpline is available from 9 am to 4 pm, Mondays to Fridays. Please encourage the owner(s) mentioned in your email to contact their vet, if he/she has not already done so, and/or the staff on our Helpline.
We are pleased to learn that one of our foods proved to be of great benefit to your cat and, once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us.
The food they are referring to in last sentence is AD!
-
Pathetic... I wonder if Hills have considered that a huge population of the world, that are of the muslim faith will no longer be able to feed their product now it is made from Pork? They are not exactly publicising the change considering their website still lists the ingredients as Beef, so I would imagine there are some unsuspecting muslim owners who may already have fed the L/D to their cats. Unacceptable >:(
-
Actually that was one of the issues I raised in my email and they just ignored it, along with that pork was hardly ever found in cat food.
I think many more people ned to email Hills about this, the more the better cos this chasnge sounds fishy to me and from what we have seen on Purrs cats do not like this new l/d food.
-
Hope the France vets can send a load of the right tins for Swampy lad.
Would you like us to have a news item on the Purrs home page asking for peeps to contact their vets to source some tins for you?
Will ring mine today.
Best of luck for darlin Swampy :hug:
-
I didnt know that the world had run out of beef? Tesco doesnt seem to have a problem with stocking it, that is the lamest excuse for changing the product ever!
-
I tried my vet Tan and the only ones that may have some is those who kep a stock inhouse. My vet tried to get some from Hills but could only get the pork stuff.
What I think we need is for peeps to email Hills and put pressure on them, this sounds like a cost cutting exercise to me
-
this sounds like a cost cutting exercise to me
Yes it does, doesn't it!! Unless the great international beef crisis hasn't reached our ears yet. Of course, if most people's cats won't eat the new stuff, they will soon see a massive drop in sales and might therefore consider changing their mind!
-
This thread is on same subject despite its title and the last few posts are inteeresting
http://www.chaptanservices.com/purrs/index.php?topic=239.0
-
Very interesting, when I went away for a few days, the l/d cans that Tiggy's kind mum sourced for me were munched exclusively. They are slightly different to the 'old' ones that I've despatched 20 trays of from France (which seem to be the exact same as the more recently discontinued formula in the UK). The expiry date of 2007 ones are more beef-y and softer and went down very easily. So Hills changed l/d twice - once not too drastically, but more recently a CATastrophic porky choice.
Hoping my 20 trays arrive safely as the food makes such a huge difference. He's eating better now that we don't refrigerate the can at all but open it in the morning and keep it at room temp. Fine in winter, but any ideas for when it gets warmer? I need to keep it at about 15 degs. It gets very hot in my flat; I was thinking of those small camping fridges but not sure if you can set a fridge to something like 15 degs? The l/d food goes hard and rubbery when refrigerated and isn't the same as out of the can even when thawed.
I'm sure you all know how it is when food has to be Just Right in order to be eaten.
Swampy sends Big Purrs and Bises (kisses) to Tiggy and Tig's Mum for his nice nosh :-)
-
What about putting it in a coolbox/bag with the little iceblocks for the summer, it will keep it cool with chilling too much
-
that's really worth a try, thanks. Think we still have a few months to go before it becomes a problem but thought I'd ask while I remembered!
-
|i was just gonna suggest that :rofl:
As the blocks start to defrost just replace em with new ones ;D
-
Voila! I'm completely broke, don't ask me what it all cost but.....the removal co arrived with 24 trays of grub today with Es on it. Apparently they got stopped by customs who wanted to open the cans but managed to talk their way around it. It's nicely stockpiled under the bed, only 1 can dented so hopefully good news at last! :-) There's no price on our feline happiness is there?
I suggested to Hills UK that they may like to pay the transport. Guess what they said?! :P :P :P
-
So pleased you have managed to stockpile his favourite food :Luv:
-
Well thats about 2 yrs supply ;D
Hills are just crazy and dont care at all about cats , I have decided.
Did you see someone had tried the zooplus stuff and it wet down a treat, although new Hills one was rejected.
As you say nom price for the love of our felines ;D
-
Well done! :D
-
Excellent!!
-
One day at a time, but Swampy's enjoying his l/d. He comes off Destolit on Monday to 'see how he goes off it' - he's been on it since November and it has really helped so fingers/paws/whatever crossed. I'm very nervous.
He just ran upstairs to the mezzanine in the lounge today which is where the PC is and thought I'd share his Google search with you -
fgggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggljkkkkkkkkkkkkkkfv
Still running around with Max. Happy cats, happy SwampMaxmum.....long may it last. Very special moments as you all know. :hug: :hug:
-
Maybe this is daft question........I am known for them :rofl: but why is he coming of this medicine if it is helping him?
Lots of strokes to the wonderful Swampy and just love his search :rofl: :rofl: :hug: :hug:
-
No, it's a good question. He's been on Destolit for nearly 4 months in total and it has had no clinical trials in cats, so the vet is concerned as no-one quite knows how long is 'safe'. If he goes downhill off it, he'll be put back on it. The whole thing makes me very nervous!
It's a human drug and used widely by US vets - called Ursodial there.
He's also on Zentonil which he's not coming off so the usual fingers/paws crossed.
You should see some of the emails he sends too lol :-))
purrs
-
Thanks for the answer cos I am sure that will interest peeps with cats with the same problem.
I am keeping my fingers crossed for swampy and will watch for his posts if he makes any ;D
-
An American vet I emailed from a website said the only problem with long term use is cost as far as she knows. I must ask the vet to check with the specialists but whether he will...we'll see.
Btw it's quite clear that Hills changed their formula l/d more than once, even while it was still beef. The cans that have a May 2007 expiry date that Helen (bless her) sent me are Swampy's favourite. He eats the food on the floor in the kitchen in one go and often asks for more! Then there's the french stuff and the more recently discontinued UK l/d - he eats both (long may it last as I have lots of french stuff and may order more) but less avidly and I generally have to follow him to the top of the radiator where he sits and licks at it until it's finished - that can take 20 mins for 1/6th can.
So the 'dear' folks at Hills - WHY they changed their formula from the original beef one when it is clearly working and such good nosh??????? On the days he gets it (I mix it up or he may refuse the other beef cans!) he's perky and playful. I think I may email them with the batch no in case they ever eat their own humble pie and revert to old ingredients.
Why do corporates instigate change for change's sake?!!!! :censored:
-
I dont know swampy but there certainly is no obvious reason for these changes and Hills are being very evasive.
-
Why do corporates instigate change for change's sake?!!!! :censored:
Profit
-
Well they not gonna get much profit from this food cao cats dont like it :evillaugh: :evillaugh:
-
I can understand that they moved to pork for cost reasons (profit) but from one beef formula to another? That's weirder.
-
M*rde, m*rde and m*rde again. France has just gone porky too. As they told me in Feb that they weren't I thought I could wait a month or two to order. Plus the expat removal co offered to help to get me food (cheaper to move it from them directly) but then ducked out and wouldn't. Plus (this gets even unluckier) I ordered one tray 10 days ago as went for a few days and thought I'd get some more in , in case Ryanair let me take it as hand luggage (nope; put 2 cans mummified in the hold). Had I known, would have ordered 10 or more trays then of course. Very bad news. I emailed Hills to plead with them to let me have some old stock as I know they must have some. Will see what they say tomorrow. Please keep paws crossed.
another day, another battle with a big corporation >:(
-
Ba :censored: ds!
-
Really hope you can find some old stock. I ckecked the food the Proot had left over, but it's the new sort.
-
Fingers crossed for you to get some of their stock.
-
nothing as yet..rien...but the vet's receptionists are on to it they say and will try. Paws crossed as today was a tricky 'feed on the radiator' day and any other food would have been a nightmare.
thanks everyone.