Switch from Hills z/d to California Natural for cat with licky granuloma?

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femcat@nospam.com - 08 May 2007 22:38 GMT

My cat has had a "licky granuloma" problem for several years. We treat
it with about 5 mg/day of Prednisolone (sometimes less and sometimes none
if it's improving).

I've tried changing her foods, but she loves Fancy Feast. What I've done
for the last several years is remove any food with wheat gluten from her
diet. As everyone knows, that decision proved to be wise.

For the last four months, her dry food of choice was Hills z/d. Since
she hasn't improved, and because I'm not too fond of Hills using
Ethoxyquin
as a preservative, I'm thinking of switching to California Natural
Chicken & Rice, since it's also free of wheat gluten.

The problem I'm finding is that it's hard to find a store that carries
it. I checked the website to look for local stores, called them and
found they'll carry Innova or the dog food variety, but not the dry cat
food. Secondly, California Natural doesn't seem to be carried by the
major dealers (Petsmart or Petco). I just called my usual local retailer
and he said he could order it for me and it would arrive in two days.

California Natural seems like a safe brand since, according to their
online statement,

http://www.naturapet.com/about-natura/news.asp?id=16

> Natura owns and operates the manufacturing plants that make its dry pet

foods and its baked treats and biscuits. Its quality management programs
at these plants are unequaled in the industry and as a result of these
programs Natura has achieved many human food plant certifications,
including a “Superior” rating from the American Institute of Baking,
Organic Certification, registration with the USDA Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service and ISO 9001:2001 compliance.

> Until Natura begins its canning operation, it will have one of their

own Quality Control employees on-site in South Dakota to oversee the
production of its products. Natura has also instructed its buyers to
utilize ingredients from domestic suppliers only.

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cybercat - 08 May 2007 23:48 GMT

> My cat has had a "licky granuloma" problem for several years. We treat
> it with about 5 mg/day of Prednisolone (sometimes less and sometimes none
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> for the last several years is remove any food with wheat gluten from her
> diet. As everyone knows, that decision proved to be wise.

Cut the dry altogether. My Gracie has not had an outbreak of any kind, or
an asthma attack for a year now. She eats Fancy Feast--and just a little bit
of Purina One Salmon and Tuna dry, which has no wheat products but lots
of corn. Because allergies are often to grains and I don't know which you
baby might be allergic to, cutting out the dry altogether seems a good idea.
(I also attribute keeping her away from harsh chemicals such as cleaning
agents and perfumes with her remission from these conditions. And I use
a HEPA filter in the bedroom.)

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femcat@nospam.com - 09 May 2007 02:56 GMT

>> My cat has had a "licky granuloma" problem for several years. We
>> treat it with about 5 mg/day of Prednisolone (sometimes less and
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> remission from these conditions. And I use a HEPA filter in the
> bedroom.)

I've got to check Consumer Reports and see what their latest vacuum
recommendation was (it was the Feb. 2007 issue and if anyone knows,
please post). I have one rug left and it needs a good vacuuming.

What kind of outbreaks did Gracie have? My cat licks a 1" circular spot
on her right hind leg until it's raw. I then give her the Prednisolone
until it starts clearing up.

I bought the California Natural Chicken and Rice Dry Food and she
absolutely loves it. If we were to give her just Fancy Feast (Turkey or
Chicken - there are only two that have no wheat gluten that I've seen).
The California Natural dry food (and the Hills z/d) has no wheat gluten.
If we try to keep her on just a canned food diet, she walks into the
kitchen, looks for her dry food and starts meowing.

Take a look at the ingredients of the Chicken and Rice formula. It's
among the best I've seen:

http://www.californianaturalpet.com/products/default.asp?id=72

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cybercat - 09 May 2007 03:22 GMT

> What kind of outbreaks did Gracie have? My cat licks a 1" circular spot
> on her right hind leg until it's raw. I then give her the Prednisolone
> until it starts clearing up.

Gracie began with linear granuloma, very rare for EGC, hard little lesions
on the backs of her legs along her tendons, then she had the mouth ulcer.
Her "bikini area" had always been pink and bare since I got her from
the shelter at age 1-2, and I had stupidly thought, "oh, her spay scar
never grew hair back!" Then after I changed her food I saw hair growing
on her tummy, and now she has this thick vanilla colored fur on her little
belly! She had also begun to lick the fur from one side of her body, but
that stopped after I removed a source of anxiety. (Her housemate cat
suddenly invading her turf every day.)

Gracie began with Depo Medrol shots, 3-4 a year. She has not had more
than two a year for three years, and has only had one in the last year. She
also presented with severe Asthma two days after I brought her home from
the shelter. She has had no attacks or even coughing spells for a year now.

> I bought the California Natural Chicken and Rice Dry Food and she
> absolutely loves it. If we were to give her just Fancy Feast (Turkey or
> Chicken - there are only two that have no wheat gluten that I've seen).
> The California Natural dry food (and the Hills z/d) has no wheat gluten.
> If we try to keep her on just a canned food diet, she walks into the
> kitchen, looks for her dry food and starts meowing.

There are many more than just two FF varieties with no wheat gluten.
Check out the ingredients on the Cod, whitefish, and salmon,
Tender Beef Feast, Gourmet Chicken Feast, and Liver and Chicken
Feast. I understand how you feel about giving her what she wants, but
I did switch our tuxedo from dry to all canned. It can be done. She has
only tried to kill me a few times. ;)

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Ginger-lyn - 13 May 2007 22:53 GMT

> My cat has had a "licky granuloma" problem for several years. We treat
> it with about 5 mg/day of Prednisolone (sometimes less and sometimes none
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> major dealers (Petsmart or Petco). I just called my usual local retailer
> and he said he could order it for me and it would arrive in two days.

Do you have a PetPeople store in your area? They just built a new store
not far from here, and they don't even carry Hill's (I went to get the
Sensitive Stomach formula that several of my guys seem to love). Oddly
enough, I picked up a bag of the California Natural and thought I'd try
it. The cats gave it four paws down. But they disliked it so much,
they ate the regular Adult Hill's that I feed most of them as a dry
meal. Go figure.

***Message: This is from my experience only. Other cats may adore the
stuff.

<snippage>

Ginger-lyn

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