Conference misery::feline_v1

    ALL OF THE HILL'S PRESCRIPTION DIETS ARE SOLD EXCLUSIVELY THOUGH
    VETERINARIANS!!!!  (That is the reason that they are sold under the
    label of *Prescription* Diet). And whatever your vet is charging you is
    probably very near cost. Most vets don't mark up the cost of the
    prescription diets just so that their owners continue to feed it
    to their pet.
    
    Deb

    I have been trying to get R/D from my vet for over a month.  I'm
    on a waiting list and they're supposed to call when it comes in.
    I'm beginning to think it never comes in, I've yet to get a call.
    I call them once or twice a week just to check.  I guess its a very
    popular food (there must be lots of "fat cats" out there).  If anyone 
    knows of a vet in the San Jose/Los Gatos/Santa Clara area that has a 
    supply of R/D I'd love to know who he or she is.
    
    My vet did give me a recipe for a home made version of R/D but since
    cooking is my least favorite thing to do I have a feeling my kitties
    will be waiting a while for home made cat food.  (I don't even cook
    for myself if I can avoid it.)

    Jan,
    
    I know that my vet keeps C/D (dry and wet) on hand, but most of
    the other diets have to get special ordered because he doesn't have
    much of a call for them. I know that R/D is one that he special
    orders. I suspect that your vet does the same. You might want to
    either call some of you local vets, or call Hill's (see note 666)
    and see if they know of a vet in your area that may have gotten
    a recent delivery. I've found their customer service to be *very*
    helpful.
    
    Deb

    You might try the Altos Animal Hospital in Los Altos, which is a
    little to the North of where you are looking.  I got some RD there
    awhile back (but Holly and Sweetie said "ack! gak! yukkkkkk!!")
    

    Holly and Sweetie are right!
    
    Cosette and Fantine also said "ack! gak! yukkkkkk!!" and
    then proceeded to eat none of it.  And...it worked!  THey
    lost weight!
    
    Actually, when they got hungry enough, they snarfed it up
    as if it were c/d.  Gave them the satisfaction of chomping
    away...on filler with nutrients.  [homemade version is to add
    canned squash or pumpkin to equal portion of cat food.  
    Still yuk!?!]

    I called a local vet and they have to order the R/D special because
    they don't stock it.  They want $29.45/case - $2.00+ more than the
    C/D.  My own vet charges $30 and stocks it, but she's not exactly
    close to me.  My mom lives in NJ and checked her vet for me.  He
    charges $30 per case but is backordered.
    
    According to my vet, my boys can eat all they want of the R/D and 
    not gain weight.  Do any of you know of a commercial diet cat food
    that will work as well?     
    
    Thanks.
    Mary
    

    re: .6  and diet food other than R/D
    
    When my vet was backordered, they suggested mixing regular
    cat food (e.g., C/D) with equal parts of canned squash or
    canned pumpkin (or home cooked).
    
    I don't let my blimps eat "all they want"... even of R/D;
    Fantine will pig out no matter what.  But at least with ample
    servings of R/D, they get their nutrients without too many
    calories, *and* they get the satisfaction of chomping down
    a decent sized portion.

    Well, after searching around, I finally found a vet that had R/D
    in stock.  In case anyone is looking for some, McGrath Animal Hospital
    in Billerica has some - and for less.  Most places around Westford
    charge $29.45/case, Slade Vet Hospital charges $30.  McGrath charged
    me $26.  
    
    I also figured out how they will lose weight - THEY HATE THE STUFF!
    They will chomp down for just a few minutes, then leave it alone
    till the next feeding.  Feeling bad for them this morning, I gave
    them some 9-Lives.  Now they love me again.
    

    This note looks like a good place to ask this question.
    
    How much C/D is enough but not too much??
    
    I just started my 11 year old indoor female on C/D.  She loves the
    canned, but will only eat the dry if I mix it in with the wet. 
    I'm hoping she will eventually eat the dry food on her own, for
    those times that I'm out of town for a night or two.
    
    From reading this file I realize she may gain weight, although she
    has never been overweight, and I'd like to prevent this!
    
    The vet recommended 2 oz. twice a day.  That's a total of 4 oz (dry
    and canned combined) per day.
    
    Does this sound reasonable to all of you?  Before I started the
    C/D she only ate the cat junk food from the grocery stores, and
    was a fairly finicky eater.  Now she finishes  off her 2 oz within
    an hour or so after putting it out.
    
    I don't want to starve her, but I don't want to have to put her
    on R/D in the future!
    
    Thanks.
    
    Ginny (and Tica)

    HMM.. Pookie eats C/D dry.. it is all she has ever eaten since she
    was a baby, I feed her about 4oz per day,, Ifree feed her, Iput
    it out in the morning and ,she eats at her leisure,.. so that's
    about right. Happy on the other hand, refuses to eat C/D wet
    or dry.. (except at the vets whne she ate both for DR eric,
    with no tantrums, like we have whne mummy tries to give it to
    her.. :^).... ),she eats tami-ami. made like oatmeal.. 2 times
    a day, and she will pick at the IAMS while I am work....I
    have tries mixing the C/D into the Iams.. and making the c/d
    dry into oatmeal consistency, like the TAMI-AMI.. BUT that
    did not go ver well.. it is good thing Ihave a brown
    rug in my kitchen.. tee-hee..ti was so funny to see
    Happy have a tantrum.. she was  sooooooooo dramatic
    about it.. YUCKO PITTOEY, THIS IS A JOKE.. I am
    NOT going to eat this, no way.. Iam going to sit here
    and SCREAM AT THE TOP ONF MY LUNGS, AND I AM GOING TO 
    TRASH THE LIVINGROOM, and STALK YOUR PRECIOUS POOKIE,,
    and she did do just that!!!!!.. hmmmmm..so out of self
    defense, IGAVE IN.... and keep trying to move her over
    to C/D..she also likes "junk food"... we are working 
    that issues.. my kids get treats.. in moderation.. except
    HAPPY.. WHO has jumped up on the counter and tipped over the box..
    last nite.... as if to say .. I WILL HAVE DESSERT NOW...!!! AND
    I MEAN RIGHT NOW...  
    REGARDS
    KATE..

    Just a note to let you know that Hill R/D now comes in *DRY* in
    addition to canned.  I got a sample from my vet recently and the
    cats think this stuff is wonderful.  Good thing since they're going
    on it starting tomorrow.
    
    Cost:  My vet charges $20.00 for a 10 lb. bag.
     
    
    Jan