6/7 Charlie 438 AMPS, 391 @ +2, 292 @ +4, 143 @ +6

[Katy and Charlie]

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I just got done with my appointment with this new vet. When I left, I almost cried tears of joy. She was knowledgeable and caring. This is the vet that could do the SpecFPL test, which she sent off and we should get results mid-next week.

With the other vets, when I mentioned bouncing they didn't have much to say and didn't seem to know what I was talking about. I asked this new vet if she was familiar with bouncing and she knew right away and started explaining it. She is concerned with his diet. She doesn't totally agree with the strictly wet food which I'm a little nervous about. She recommended switching to Hills Prescription ID which is just ridiculously expensive. They are $76.99 for a 24 ct and I am getting Friskies for around $20 for a 24 ct. She just mentioned that Friskies was higher in fat and she is concerned with the quality of fat. Using the example that the fat you get from french fries is different than the fat you get from an avocado which makes a lot of sense.

She made a plan and talked about this being our phase one. No other vet was like that. They just treated the symptoms and sent me on my way. Our phase one is to get this SpecFPL test and work on his diet. I am hoping to get some help and guidance from you guys on a better food than Friskies but not as expensive as the Hills.

Now about Charlie. BG has been looking pretty dang good. He is acting great and playing. Eating like normal. so good news there!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

It's great that you've finally got a vet you feel comfortable with and is willing to work with you. For now I'll ignore the recommendation to try I/D which is 23% carbs. Do you know what the fat % is for the Friskies you are feeding? Which particular one(s) are you giving? Most of the pates seem to be in the 54-61% range, at last from the food chart. There is a sortable version of the food chart that allows you to put in max carb % (10) and max fat % and minimum protein. Try playing around with that to get some options.

Loving that blue today. And the Charlie report!

 

[Katy and Charlie]

I'm glad too! But we'll see how things go with this new vet cause, yikes! The one she recommended is super high in carbs. I'm guessing vets have some kind of deal with Hill's and that's why they push it so much?

I've been rotating between Friskies Classic Pate Poultry Platter and Chicken & Tuna Dinner. So 35% protein, 61% fat, and 4% carbs. That data is missing for the Chicken & Tuna Dinner but I would assume it's similar.

She was making it sound like the lower quality of products used and high fat could be making the bounces worse and more dramatic ups and downs rather than more gradual. I definitely agree and understand that Friskies isn't the best food out there but I can't go broke feeding my kitties! Is there an ideal fat content for diabetic kitty diets? Carbs should be under 10% right?

 

[Wendy&Neko]

The fat content isn't a consideration for diabetic kitties per se, but more a consideration for other conditions.

I'm guessing vets have some kind of deal with Hill's and that's why they push it so much?

I can't say for the US, but in Canada I've heard that someone from Hill's "teaches" the nutrition section in vet school. I do know at least one vet who also got a tour through the Hill's lab. But I don't think this is limited to Hill's, Purina and Royal Canin also push their food to vets.

One thing some people do is make their own cat food. I found that to be cheaper than some of the canned food products. You could use either a premix for the extra supplements needed, or purchase your own. Here is one recipe: https://catinfo.org/making-cat-food/