Pancreatitis fPL>50 and Vet's prescription diet is 28% carbs

Hoping the collective brain power here can help us out. I post on the Lantus site but they had the very good suggestion to tap all the experience here. I need to find a low fat, low carb, high quality protien food. I have always used J and B's tables.

Sorry, this is a bit long but he has multiple things going on. The history of our problem.

Pedro had been in remission from May 26, 2010- Aug 22. Now back on Lev. as of 8/23. It's not that he is out of remission that matters in the big picture - I was lucky he had a break. I am just not comfortable with the prescription food.

Been having a bit if a time of it. He has Cushing's and is responding well to the trilostane but we are having a really tough ride with pancreatits and although there appears much debate about fat and pancreatitis - the IM specialist he is seeing for Cushings has insisted on Iam's low fat/residue diet due to the pancreatitis. It is 28% carb! (36% prot, 36% fat) and of course contains corn. She insists that it must be high quality protien (and she does not like Fancy Feast which is what I had been feeding) I also fed a raw diet. I have been surprised to see the % fat in the 100% meats such as EVO. Am I reading them wrong?

His BG was staying low until the Pancreatitis treatment began(hi carb food/pred)started in late June. 1st fPLtest came in at 20 and vet immediatly wanted a diet change to Iam's low residue. It is 28% carbs. She knew his diabetes history. I compromised and fed only 1/2 of his diet in the Iam's and felt sick about it the entire time. We went back for a re-check two weeks later as he was really not feeling well and the fPL came in at > 50. I was in tears talking to her about the high carbs in the diet. She basically said if I didn't go to 100% Iam's, the Pancreatitis would kill him - not diabetes. So I have made the change and it's 100% Iam's canned low residue.
Next test 2 weeks later still >50 (my regular vet says it takes a while for this number to drop). Meanwhile I watch his BG going up but IM and regular vet say "okay as long as below 280". So we hit 300's. I took him to my regular vet Monday for a 4 week follow up of complete blood work and fPl test. Results due back very soon. Told him what I'm reading for BG. He does a urine test... says he is really spilling glucose. So we have re-started insulin.
I also know the pred is pushing the numbers and pancreatitis impacts it too. I am going back to my regular vet for the pancreatitis but do need to keep working with the IM for the Cushing's.

Meds and issues:
Had been on Levimer and we are again as of 8/23.
History: Cushing Dx 5/25/10 : Pituitary Tumor with large adrenal tumors
Current medications:
Since 6/10/10 for Cushings:Trilostane 10mg 2x/day
Chronic Pancreatitis, since July 9, 2010 : Pred 5mg 2x/day, 1/4 Cypro 1x/day , prolisec 1x/day, Bup(oral)15ml 2x/day.

 

Sorry Amy but I would not feed that HC food. What's wrong with a raw diet? What about a 2nd opin?

 

Could you go back to a raw diet?

Buy the supplements and make your own? Rabbit, chicken and turkey are all pretty low fat if you start with human-consumption-grade meat and add the taurine and calcium supplement that cats need.

It is certainly worth a try

 

Here is a list of foods that are good for diabetic cats with pancreatitis: http://www.felinediabetes.com/phorum5/r ... ?8,1259368

You're not. EVO is 95% meat, not 100%, and it is high in fat which can aggravate pancreatitis.

 

The IM Vet was not supportive of the raw diet and she really has me blown away about his high pancreatitis numbers.
One problem was Pedro was not wild about the raw diet -very pickey eater (I did add the supplements). I think the supplements had an odor that he didn't like. He seemed to prefer the meat lightly cooked too. I need to keep him eating

I'm ok bucking vet advice -finding the FDMB is how Pedro ended up on Lev and with such great results. There is such a support community.
Once I get the new bloodwork results back I will see what my regular vet thinks as well - he is more open to a different diets and was supportive of Pedro becoming his first Lev. patient. He is now using only Lantus and Lev. for his clients. Yup, am also thinking about a nutritional consult.

Of course I really don't think many vets are looking at nutrtitional content of these prescription diets. Why they include corn/hi carbs is beyond me and why the vets aren't complaining really gets me.
Really really thanks for the link for the CP/FD foods. Reassuring. Higher fat than vet wants but then it is all a balancing act, isn't it? Good to read about the experience of another cat even with ECID.
I'm starting my food list!

 

I don't know but is lightly steamed chicken less nutritious than raw chicken?
I am asking as Oliver LOVES raw chicken, but Shadoe almost gags at the sight. She DOES love chicken if it is lightly steamed though.

Maybe you could do part raw diet and part canned?
I also need to start looking closely at Shadoe's diet now as she has pancreatitis again.

I hope you can find a diet that is good for Pedro's health and also tasty for him.

 

You know I agree with Shadoe about the raw chicken thing.
I had previously been doing a combo of raw and canned.It seems like you wouldn't lose that much in the way of nutritional value if lightly steamed??? Maybe even lose a little of the fat...

 

Well, it doesn't have to be raw -- just make your own cat food to ensure that it is Low Carb AND Low Fat