hills prescription m/d - is it absolutely necessary?

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missBklyn

missBklyn

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Hi all,

My 10 yr old Nari was diagnosed with diabetes about 4 months ago. She's now on Lantus, about 1 unit twice a day (but variable depending on her bg levels) and strictly on Hill's Prescription M/D canned cat food mixed with psyllium fiber. I've finally gotten used to administering shots and all, but now I've come to wonder exactly why she has to stay on the M/D. I have another cat (2 yr old Wonderbread, perfectly healthy) and it's kind of a hassle to have to buy 2 different types of canned food all the time. Plus M/D has gotten ridiculously expensive for me. When I brought it up with the vet she just said that since it's prescription-based, it caters to Nari's diabetic needs, thus she can never be taken off M/D. I don't want to make this change in her diet without consulting the vet again, but I'm not expecting any real answers. I truly believe high carbs were a major factor in causing the diabetes - she ate standard brand dry food all her life because we didn't know any better back then. I'm also aware that M/D has a high carb content. So I'd like to hear from those of you who've gone through something similar- what are the real benefits/cons of Prescription M/D? Can something like Evo or Wellness canned be sufficient in replacing a prescription diet?

Much thanks!
 
To find low carb canned food, go to Janet and Binky's page on commercial food content and look for foods with under 10% carbs: http://binkyspage.tripod.com/canfood.html - Note the link that Janet has also to Binky's main page; this will lead you to dry foods, non-US foods, and lots of other good info!

Fancy Feast varieties that are low carb, gluten free: http://www.felinediabetes.com/glutenfree.htm - This section needs to be updated, there seems to have been changes in these flavors.

Most people here do not use the prescription foods.
 
My vet put us on Purina DM. We feed all 3 of our cats the same food. After about a month, all 3 would rather starve than eat the DM so we feed off of Binky charts. Mainly FF, with a variety (because they bore easily) of Purina Pro-Plan, Sophisticat Supreme, Wellness Core, Sprout, and Friskies.

My Smokey is now in remission and ate the Binky's chart foods through most of the time to get her off of the insulin.
 
Thanks for your replies. I have seen Binky's charts before - that's where I learned that M/D had high carbs, and what to feed my other cat.

Melanie and Smokey - Thanks! This reassures me a lot - Being new to diabetes I wasn't even sure if this was something I could attempt, since the prescription diet is "doctor's orders." I feel like I have more leverage in bringing this up with her next time I talk to her. It sounds like Smokey is doing fine ~ Thanks for your help! :)
 
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