Info UK INFORMATION (Food, Insulin, Vit B12, and other 'need to know' stuff)

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Elizabeth and Bertie, May 5, 2015.

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  1. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    @Cherish4 -

    I know that this reply is a bit late to the party and you may have found something for Little B in the meantime, but just in case not some members here have had good results using saccharomyces boulardii. I'm tagging @Marje and Gracie to see if she might be able to help you. If memory serves, Marje has had good results with this supplement. You can get it on Amazon or eBay.


    Mogs
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  2. Cherish4

    Cherish4 Member

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    Jan 28, 2019
    Thanks but he's recently been diagnosed with pancreatitis so we think the diarrhea is related to that. He's trying a probiotic and we're trying to find the right food for him.
     
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  3. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Oh, I'm really sorry to hear that. :(

    (((Little B)))

    The food is a real toughie when managing pancreatitis. Hopefully it's just an acute flare and will pass quickly.

    Here are some resources I have found helpful:

    IDEXX Pancreatitis Treatment Guidelines

    Nausea Symptom Checklist - I would monitor for nausea signs after eating to guide me better in what Saoirse found more comfortable to eat. Also monitored the litter box.

    Persuading Your Cat to Eat

    Suggestions for Stimulating Appetite

    Maybe there might be some bits 'n' pieces in the above that could be a help to yourself and Little B.


    Mogs
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  4. Cherish4

    Cherish4 Member

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    Thanks for those links, I'll definitely have a read through of them.

    Unfortunately he's been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis and is just coming out the other side of his third flare up in as many months. He's currently still on Sheba food whilst I try and figure something else out. He's been doing really well on it in terms of his diabetes so I'm hesitant to change it but I need to try and reduce the frequency of flare ups so... I'm also currently researching CBD Oil for him and have joined some relevant groups on Facebook to try and get a bit more direction and advice.
     
  5. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Poor baby. :( (((Little B)))

    "Ain't broke, don't fix" is very much the way to fly with pancreatitis, particularly if you've found a food that helps with the diabetes too.

    The only foods I could find that agreed with Saoirse were the Sheba Fine Flakes in Jelly turkey and chicken pouches. Even then her level of comfort was affected by variations in different batches of the same product. Be sure to keep an eye out for manufacturers changing the formulations of the foods (often when the packaging changes, or when 'new and improved' or similar wording appears on the pack). Also it's best to use the nutritional analysis on the packs, not rely on the information on the data provided on company websites because the latter may not be updated for a while after formulation changes are made.

    I sincerely hope that you find more things to help Little B. You might also find some helpful information at ibdkitties.net.


    Mogs
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  6. Cherish4

    Cherish4 Member

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    Jan 28, 2019
    I'm beginning to think that the Sheba is contributing to him falling backwards in his recovery from a flare up. He was doing alright the first few days of this week and then the last couple he's been very unhappy and uncomfortable again. He just never seems 100% any more and it's such an emotional roller coaster because I never know what he's going to be like day to day. I was starting to feed him some Blink pouches which he was really enjoying but then Tesco (the only place that sells it in my town). has stopped selling it so now we're stuck. I have been thinking about a raw food diet and whether that would help him but it would have to be pre-made, pre-packed meals from a pet company as I wouldn't want to do it myself. I don't know if I can afford it though.

    I still don't have any pain relief for him either and it's heartbreaking knowing that he's in so much discomfort a lot of the time. I have emailed his vet again regarding buprenorphine, so hopefully I can get him some of that. We've now run out of Cerenia and I can't afford any more right now which makes me feel even more awful. He's also suffering from terrible acid reflux and I can't afford the famotidine that the vet was offering and we don't get Pepcid here in the UK. I have looked for Omeprazole but am struggling to find it anywhere right now. Also, I'm not sure how good I'd be at lying to the pharmacist about why I want it. I've tried him with slippery elm bark but that just seemed to make him worse (I think he's got a sensitivity to it). So I don't know what to do.

    I'm just really at breaking point if I'm being honest. He's spent more of the last few months in pain and unwell than he has feeling okay and I don't know how much more of this either of us can deal with. Every day I wake up with a knot of anxiety in my chest and I wonder if today is the day that I lose him. I have started him on some CBD paste but it can take a while to work and I don't know what else we'll do if it doesn't.

    I just feel defeated and terrified all the time. I just want my beautiful, happy boy back. It's so unfair.
     
  7. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Hi Cherish,

    I feel sad reading your post. Pancreatitis is the pits. Having been there myself, I really feel for you and Little B. :bighug:

    I found the food side of things the hardest of all.

    All I can think to suggest is to look at ordering the Blink food online. Here are just some places that you might be able to get it:

    https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/merch-groups/blink-cat-food

    https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/search?query=blink

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blink-Roasted-Chicken-Complete-Pouch/dp/B07T84WFS6

    Also, local pet shops can be really helpful about ordering in food that they don't stock themselves provided they can get it from their wholesalers. If there's an independent pet shop in your area it might be worth asking whether they can help.

    I hope you'll be successful. If you're having difficulty securing the prescription perhaps show the vet the following document:

    IDEXX Pancreatitis Treatment Guidelines

    IDEXX is a world authority on feline pancreatitis. The document includes information on the importance of pain relief in management of the condition. My vet would give us a couple of week's supply of pre-measured doses in syringes at a time.

    Have you tried asking how much famotidine costs in your local pharmacies? considered asking your vet for a written prescription and getting the famotidine from a local chemist? (You'd need to ask for the 10mg tablets and split the tablets in four.)

    I also just found this voucher for an online pharmacy.

    https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/pepcid.html

    Also, maybe check the price at Viovet (they can't list human meds on their website but can give quotes over the phone - not sure whether you'd need a vet prescription for this but you could check with them):

    https://www.viovet.co.uk/human-prescription

    With regard to nausea management, it might be worth asking the vet for a written prescription for generic ondansetron to help with the nausea (also mentioned in document above). Again, you can get the generic ondansetron at a human pharmacy (4mg tablets). IIRC our vet charges about £10 for the written prescription and if it's a maintenance med they're happy to include a few repeats on the Rx. Recently I paid about £7.00 for 30 4mg tablets at Morrison's. (My civvie, Lúnasa, has CKD so needs it regularly now. I give her 2mg twice a day, so 30 tablets give a month's cover. Our vet gives us an Rx for 3 months' supply at a time.)

    Another thought, I wonder whether your vet might be able to include both famotidine and ondansetron on the one prescription and just charge you a single fee?

    The only other suggestion I have for you at the moment would be to start a new thread on Feline Health to ask for help with Little B's pancreatitis. Some members give their cats budesonide to manage the condition. I've never used it myself but there are other members here who could tell you more about it if you ask. (Note: Budesonide is a steroid, but it acts locally in the gut and typically does not have any great impact on blood glucose levels.)

    I hope some of the above may be helpful to you both.

    If I had a magic wand, I'd wave it so your little fella could be pancreatitis-free. Alas, the world doesn't work that way...

    (((Cherish and Little B)))


    Mogs
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  8. Sarahbeth

    Sarahbeth New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2020
    Thank you so much for this thread!

    Has made me feel a bit better (but also like a terrible cat mum for not realising my mistake with food earlier).

    Our cat Holly was diagnosed 26 Oct 20 (4 years old).
    I stupidly thought that high protein food would be better so bought some Craze grain free dry (vet did say not to change the food yet as long as insulin is given with the food). I now realise the food she was on before was probably better- going to switch her back to the felix wet in the morning and then move to Sheba fine flakes as soon as we can. She seems like she’s starving bless her and begging for food all the time. It’s really hard to know how much to feed her too because she’s 6 kg, and not all of the brands list the amounts for a cat that heavy. She started to lose weight recently and was peeing inside which she has never done.
    she’s still drinking a lot and has peed inside twice this week but I now think that’s because of the food and that her glucose is still out of control.
    She’s feeling a bit sorry for herself and her sister (Berry) is now eating separately from her because she was inhaling the food put down for both cats. Berry is a lot happier though because she’s able to eat without fear!


    It’s all so confusing (especially during the pandemic because the social distancing meant the appointment was really difficult). her glucose readings are really high before her injections so I’m worrying all the time.
    I did blood glucose curve a week ago and the lowest reading was 17 (3 hours after morning insulin and food) and highest was 26 just before her evening insulin and food (Human glucose monitor- exactive EQ). Vet upped her Caninsulin from 1.5 to 2 because readings were still so high, but I now understand I should be checking a few hours later too.

    Doing another curve tomorrow but her pre injection readings are lower than what they were a week ago but still very high (~21 ish).

    I’m not really sure how long I should be waiting for her glucose to come lower but the vet recommended a week. (If anybody had any advice on this it would be great- should I have seen an immediate improvement? I guess I won’t know too because she’s been on dry for 2 weeks and if I’m changing back to wet I think I need to give it another week)

    Anyway just wanted to say thank you because it is all extremely overwhelming and this UK thread has helped no end tonight (I was in tears 2 hours ago but feel like I have a plan now!).

    thank you!
    Sarah in north Wales
     
  9. jt and trouble (GA)

    jt and trouble (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Dec 28, 2009
    HI Sarahbeth is this your first post?
     
  10. Sarahbeth

    Sarahbeth New Member

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    Nov 7, 2020
    Hi yes it is- I have read the beginners board and done a lot of research on the insulin, but I didn’t realise the importance of the food until now! Hope I haven’t broken any rules by posting here!

     
  11. jt and trouble (GA)

    jt and trouble (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Noooo :bighug:but you WILL get more eyes on your post if you start a new thread.
     
  12. jt and trouble (GA)

    jt and trouble (GA) Well-Known Member

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  13. Schmill

    Schmill Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2018
    @Sarahbeth - firstly, welcome :bighug:
    Secondly, feel free to look at Dusty's sheet below, there is a wet & dry food calculator on it.
    Not sure if you can copy it directly but if not I'm happy to and make it available.
    We found it invaluable when checking out foods!
     
  14. Sarahbeth

    Sarahbeth New Member

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    Nov 7, 2020
    thank you so much for this, it’s so difficult getting your head around it all but the calorie calculator is great- reassuring to see your glucose readings too! I’ve set a spreadsheet up and am inputting the data I scribbled down on paper later today.
     
  15. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    Make sure it's the Fine Flakes in Jelly (the ones in gravy have too many carbs).


    Mogs
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  16. Sarahbeth

    Sarahbeth New Member

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    Nov 7, 2020
    Hello,
    I just heard back from Crave about their dry food in the UK and they said this.

    Thank you for contacting CRAVE™.​

    Our CRAVE™ With Protein from Salmon and Ocean Fish Cat Food has 22.43 g/100g of carbohydrates per 100 grams.
    so it’s a good job I found this forum because that carb content is really high!

    I thought I was being so clever buying high protein food for Holly but am glad I found the forum and am more educated about it all! Holly’s numbers are coming down (slowly) too!

    Thought it’d be an idea to post the info here just in case somebody makes the same mistake that I did.

    thank you!
     
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  17. jt and trouble (GA)

    jt and trouble (GA) Well-Known Member

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    We are VERY glad you found us!;):bighug:
     
  18. Sally Stickland

    Sally Stickland New Member

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    Feb 16, 2021
    Great resource. Thank you so much. Our cat is insulin free because of the info on here. My only problem now is Zooplus have stopped stocking Mac’s cat food since Brexit so I now need to find a replacement. I see that the UK cat food list says it is being updated for January 2021 so thought you might want to know this. Thankfully I have a few months supply while I think about what to replace it with
     
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  19. kalypso

    kalypso Member

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    May 22, 2019
    Hi Sally! Have you checked their international site?
     
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  20. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    Hi Sally,

    I just had a look on their Bitiba UK website and they've got the large cans of poultry with cranberry available:

    https://www.bitiba.co.uk/esearch.htm#q=MAC's&catl=3Cat Foods>Wet Cat Food>MAC's&cats=3Cat%20Foods%3EWet%20Cat%20Food%3EMAC's

    Also, I think it's possible that covid-related supply chain issues might be affecting their stock levels moreso than Brexit. Zooplus are advising on some of the Mac's product pages that they're expecting a shipment from the manufacturers on 20.12.21 20.02.21, for example:

    https://www.zooplus.co.uk/stockreminder/shop/cats/canned_cat_food_pouches/macs/cans/680964/2408076

    Might be worth setting some e-mail alerts for the products your cat likes so that you can get in early to place an order if the shipment is received as expected.

    ETA: If you buy in bulk, it's worth checking to see whether the foods you want are also listed on the Bitiba site. They set a higher minimum order value but the prices are lower than on the main Zooplus site.



    Mogs
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    Last edited: Feb 16, 2021
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  21. Sally Stickland

    Sally Stickland New Member

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    Feb 16, 2021
    Thanks for the ideas on Macs food. I had set up an email alert for the one he eats and today I received an email saying it was no longer available despite an email from customer services previously saying it would be so I’m not quite sure what’s going on. But they did warn customers before end of 2020 that some items would no longer be stocked after Brexit hence why I stocked up!
     
  22. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    Grrrrrrr...

    My civvie, Lúnasa, has IRIS stage III renal insufficiency and for the latter half of last year I had the devil's own job trying to get her to eat after she needed to switch to a renal therapeutic diet. I recently got a recommendation for a renal support food carried by Zooplus and - anti-jinx! - she has been eating better thus far since its introduction. I am praying that Brexit doesn't prevent my being able to get hold of it for her.

    Glad you managed to stock up for your little one, and I hope you'll be able to get the Mac's for her in the future.


    Mogs
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  23. Elizabeth and Bertie

    Elizabeth and Bertie Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2010
    Hi Sally, thanks for the heads up. :cat:
    While some items aren't currently in stock on Zooplus they 'may' come back in stock again, so nothing has been deleted from the list if it's only ceased to be available recently.
    I agree with Mogs that stock issues are quite possibly a consequence of supply chain issues, and not Brexit per se. And 'hopefully' supply issues will be resolved. Fingers crossed anyway....

    Edited to add: Just found a few varieties of Macs available from the Honest Cat Food Co. But these will probably be pricier than from Zooplus, not least because of postage costs.
    http://www.thehonestcatfoodcompany.co.uk/en-gb/collections/macs

    Eliz
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2021
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