Hill's Pet Nutrition has enhanced its portfolio of prescription diets for the management of FLUTD with the launch of Feline c/d Multicare Reduced Calorie and a 'taste upgrade' for Feline c/d Multicare.

Prescription Diet Feline c/d Multicare Reduced Calorie is a new dry product designed to manage the higher incidence of FLUTD in overweight cats (FLUTD is 49% more prevalent in overweight and obese cats²). According to Hill's, the controlled fat and calorie levels in c/d Multicare Reduced Calorie and clinically proven levels of L-carnitine help to reduce fat build up and maintain lean muscles mass. Like c/d Multicare, its formula also dissolves sterile struvite uroliths in 14 days¹.

Hill's says Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Reduced Calorie is formulated with omega-3 fatty acids to reduce the distress and discomfort associated with conditions such as FIC (Feline Idiopathic Cystitis); in addition obesity has been associated with systemic inflammation³ for which omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial^4,5.

Prescription Diet Feline c/d Multicare Chicken dry kibble has had its taste improved; Hill's says studies show it is now preferred over the leading competitor's brand by a wide margin⁶. Apparently, the improvement in flavour is partly down to the new shape of the kibble.

Lastly, Hill's is highlighting a prospective study by MacLeay et al, the preliminary results of which were reported at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum in May 2010. In the study, cats with uroliths suspected to be struvite (based on radiographic appearance) were fed Prescription Diet Feline c/d Multicare and rapid dissolution of the stones occurred in as little as two weeks.

References

• 1. Dry formula only. Feline Sterile Struvite Urolith Dissolution Study. Interim Report of Five Cats with Struvite Uroliths. J Vet Intern Med 2010;24:704.
• 2. Lund EM, Armstrong PJ, Kirk CA, et al. Prevalence and risk factors for obesity in adult cats from private veterinary practices. International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine 2005; Vol. 3, No.2 : 88-96.
• 3. Nathan C. Epidemic Inflammation: Pondering Obesity Molecular Medicine, Molecular Medicine 2008; 14 (7-8): 485-492
• 4. James MJ, Gibson RA, Cleland LG. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory mediator production. Am J Clin Nutr 2000; 71 (suppl.) 343S-348S.
• 5. Calder PC. Dietary modification of inflammation with lipids. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2002; 61: 345-358.
• 6. Palatability test. November 2010

PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vets.