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BARF Health Risks



 
 
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  #1  
Old December 12th 03, 03:21 PM
Steve Crane
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default BARF Health Risks

SOURCE: PRNewswire, 12/11/03

Study Finds Raw Food Diets Too Risky for Pets, Owners

Popular Pet Diet May Pose Significant Health Risks for You and Your
Pet

Raw food diets are a growing trend among pet owners hoping to improve
their pet's health. However, a study published in the
November/December 2003 issue of the "Journal of the American Animal
Hospital Association" found that these diets may cause a potentially
fatal Salmonella infection.

"While raw food diets are becoming increasingly popular among pet
owners, there is a growing body of information showing that these
diets pose a health risk not only for the pets that consume them but
to their owners as well," says Link Welborn, DVM, AAHA president.

Shane L. Stiver, DVM, Kendall S. Frazier, DVM, Michael J. Mauel, PhD,
and Eloise L. Styer, PhD, from the University of Georgia College of
Veterinary Medicine conducted a case study of two cats that developed
salmonellosis (Salmonella infection) as a result of a raw meat-based
diet. The salmonellosis caused gastrointestinal upset, weight loss and
anorexia that resulted in the death of both cats. Salmonella in tissue
cultures isolated from one of the cats was identical to cultures from
the raw beef used in the cat's home-prepared diet, and the resulting
infection was confirmed as the cause of death in both cases. The
report is the first to describe the occurrence of salmonellosis in
cats as a result of feeding a raw meat-based diet.

The "JAAHA" study also found that while most human cases of
salmonellosis result from direct exposure to contaminated food, there
are documented cases of infection due to direct and indirect contact
with infected pets. In cats and humans, the very young and very old,
as well as those with an immune-compromised state, have the highest
risk of infection. Since people often spend a great deal of time in
close proximity to their pets, there are many opportunities for
exposure to disease causing organisms, such as Salmonella, through
petting, grooming, food preparation, water bowls and litter boxes.

The study concluded that cats fed raw meat contaminated with
Salmonella are at risk for development of salmonellosis and may pose a
disease risk to their owners and handlers. Feeding of raw meat
contaminated by Salmonella and recovery of Salmonella from the feces
of sled dogs and greyhounds has been documented, suggesting a risk of
human infection from contact with infected dogs as well as cats. Due
to these risks, AAHA recommends that pet owners not feed their pets a
raw-meat based diet and encourages owners to ask their veterinarian
for advice regarding a nutritionally balanced diet that is appropriate
for their pet's age and lifestyle.

"A substantial body of science-based nutritional data has contributed
to the longer life span that our companion animals currently enjoy,"
says Dr. Welborn. "Your veterinarian uses these resources to provide
nutritional recommendations that will help your pet live a long and
healthy life."

The American Animal Hospital Association is an international
organization of more than 29,000 veterinary care providers who treat
companion animals. Established in 1933, the association is well known
among veterinarians for its high standards for hospitals and pet
health care. For pet care information or a referral to an AAHA
hospital, pet owners can visit the AAHA website at www.healthypet.com
..
  #2  
Old December 12th 03, 03:46 PM
Carrie-Lou Salter
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Very interesting read....

Carrie

"Steve Crane" wrote in message
m...
SOURCE: PRNewswire, 12/11/03

Study Finds Raw Food Diets Too Risky for Pets, Owners

Popular Pet Diet May Pose Significant Health Risks for You and Your
Pet

Raw food diets are a growing trend among pet owners hoping to improve
their pet's health. However, a study published in the
November/December 2003 issue of the "Journal of the American Animal
Hospital Association" found that these diets may cause a potentially
fatal Salmonella infection.

"While raw food diets are becoming increasingly popular among pet
owners, there is a growing body of information showing that these
diets pose a health risk not only for the pets that consume them but
to their owners as well," says Link Welborn, DVM, AAHA president.

Shane L. Stiver, DVM, Kendall S. Frazier, DVM, Michael J. Mauel, PhD,
and Eloise L. Styer, PhD, from the University of Georgia College of
Veterinary Medicine conducted a case study of two cats that developed
salmonellosis (Salmonella infection) as a result of a raw meat-based
diet. The salmonellosis caused gastrointestinal upset, weight loss and
anorexia that resulted in the death of both cats. Salmonella in tissue
cultures isolated from one of the cats was identical to cultures from
the raw beef used in the cat's home-prepared diet, and the resulting
infection was confirmed as the cause of death in both cases. The
report is the first to describe the occurrence of salmonellosis in
cats as a result of feeding a raw meat-based diet.

The "JAAHA" study also found that while most human cases of
salmonellosis result from direct exposure to contaminated food, there
are documented cases of infection due to direct and indirect contact
with infected pets. In cats and humans, the very young and very old,
as well as those with an immune-compromised state, have the highest
risk of infection. Since people often spend a great deal of time in
close proximity to their pets, there are many opportunities for
exposure to disease causing organisms, such as Salmonella, through
petting, grooming, food preparation, water bowls and litter boxes.

The study concluded that cats fed raw meat contaminated with
Salmonella are at risk for development of salmonellosis and may pose a
disease risk to their owners and handlers. Feeding of raw meat
contaminated by Salmonella and recovery of Salmonella from the feces
of sled dogs and greyhounds has been documented, suggesting a risk of
human infection from contact with infected dogs as well as cats. Due
to these risks, AAHA recommends that pet owners not feed their pets a
raw-meat based diet and encourages owners to ask their veterinarian
for advice regarding a nutritionally balanced diet that is appropriate
for their pet's age and lifestyle.

"A substantial body of science-based nutritional data has contributed
to the longer life span that our companion animals currently enjoy,"
says Dr. Welborn. "Your veterinarian uses these resources to provide
nutritional recommendations that will help your pet live a long and
healthy life."

The American Animal Hospital Association is an international
organization of more than 29,000 veterinary care providers who treat
companion animals. Established in 1933, the association is well known
among veterinarians for its high standards for hospitals and pet
health care. For pet care information or a referral to an AAHA
hospital, pet owners can visit the AAHA website at www.healthypet.com
.



  #3  
Old December 12th 03, 03:46 PM
Carrie-Lou Salter
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Very interesting read....

Carrie

"Steve Crane" wrote in message
m...
SOURCE: PRNewswire, 12/11/03

Study Finds Raw Food Diets Too Risky for Pets, Owners

Popular Pet Diet May Pose Significant Health Risks for You and Your
Pet

Raw food diets are a growing trend among pet owners hoping to improve
their pet's health. However, a study published in the
November/December 2003 issue of the "Journal of the American Animal
Hospital Association" found that these diets may cause a potentially
fatal Salmonella infection.

"While raw food diets are becoming increasingly popular among pet
owners, there is a growing body of information showing that these
diets pose a health risk not only for the pets that consume them but
to their owners as well," says Link Welborn, DVM, AAHA president.

Shane L. Stiver, DVM, Kendall S. Frazier, DVM, Michael J. Mauel, PhD,
and Eloise L. Styer, PhD, from the University of Georgia College of
Veterinary Medicine conducted a case study of two cats that developed
salmonellosis (Salmonella infection) as a result of a raw meat-based
diet. The salmonellosis caused gastrointestinal upset, weight loss and
anorexia that resulted in the death of both cats. Salmonella in tissue
cultures isolated from one of the cats was identical to cultures from
the raw beef used in the cat's home-prepared diet, and the resulting
infection was confirmed as the cause of death in both cases. The
report is the first to describe the occurrence of salmonellosis in
cats as a result of feeding a raw meat-based diet.

The "JAAHA" study also found that while most human cases of
salmonellosis result from direct exposure to contaminated food, there
are documented cases of infection due to direct and indirect contact
with infected pets. In cats and humans, the very young and very old,
as well as those with an immune-compromised state, have the highest
risk of infection. Since people often spend a great deal of time in
close proximity to their pets, there are many opportunities for
exposure to disease causing organisms, such as Salmonella, through
petting, grooming, food preparation, water bowls and litter boxes.

The study concluded that cats fed raw meat contaminated with
Salmonella are at risk for development of salmonellosis and may pose a
disease risk to their owners and handlers. Feeding of raw meat
contaminated by Salmonella and recovery of Salmonella from the feces
of sled dogs and greyhounds has been documented, suggesting a risk of
human infection from contact with infected dogs as well as cats. Due
to these risks, AAHA recommends that pet owners not feed their pets a
raw-meat based diet and encourages owners to ask their veterinarian
for advice regarding a nutritionally balanced diet that is appropriate
for their pet's age and lifestyle.

"A substantial body of science-based nutritional data has contributed
to the longer life span that our companion animals currently enjoy,"
says Dr. Welborn. "Your veterinarian uses these resources to provide
nutritional recommendations that will help your pet live a long and
healthy life."

The American Animal Hospital Association is an international
organization of more than 29,000 veterinary care providers who treat
companion animals. Established in 1933, the association is well known
among veterinarians for its high standards for hospitals and pet
health care. For pet care information or a referral to an AAHA
hospital, pet owners can visit the AAHA website at www.healthypet.com
.



  #4  
Old December 12th 03, 10:02 PM
GAUBSTER2
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Here's another one....


Source: Joffe DJ, Schlesinger DP.
Preliminary assessment of the risk of Salmonella infection in dogs fed raw
chicken diets. Can Vet J. 2002: 43:441-442


"In the study, meal-sized samples of foods prepared by clients that regularly
fed a BARF diet to their dogs as well as fecal samples from the dogs and
similar samples from dogs fed commercial foods, were analyzed for Salmonella
spp. All food and fecal samples from dogs fed the commercial foods were
negative for Salmonella. Eight of the 10 food samples and three of the 10
fecal samples from the BARF-fed dogs tested positive for Salmonella. These
results provide evidence that dogs fed a BARF diet are more likely to shed
Salmonella in their stools. This may be of particular concern to pet owners
with small children and those with aged or immune-compromised people in the
household."

....and this came from a Purina Research Report--NOT a Hill's source, btw!
  #5  
Old December 12th 03, 10:02 PM
GAUBSTER2
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Here's another one....


Source: Joffe DJ, Schlesinger DP.
Preliminary assessment of the risk of Salmonella infection in dogs fed raw
chicken diets. Can Vet J. 2002: 43:441-442


"In the study, meal-sized samples of foods prepared by clients that regularly
fed a BARF diet to their dogs as well as fecal samples from the dogs and
similar samples from dogs fed commercial foods, were analyzed for Salmonella
spp. All food and fecal samples from dogs fed the commercial foods were
negative for Salmonella. Eight of the 10 food samples and three of the 10
fecal samples from the BARF-fed dogs tested positive for Salmonella. These
results provide evidence that dogs fed a BARF diet are more likely to shed
Salmonella in their stools. This may be of particular concern to pet owners
with small children and those with aged or immune-compromised people in the
household."

....and this came from a Purina Research Report--NOT a Hill's source, btw!
  #6  
Old December 12th 03, 11:01 PM
PawsForThought
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

From: (Steve Crane)


SOURCE: PRNewswire, 12/11/03

Study Finds Raw Food Diets Too Risky for Pets, Owners


Hmm...seems you failed to include this part:

Here's a pertinent paragraph that the news report (and the vets interviewed)
failed to include:

"Healthy adult cats appear to have high immunological resistance to
the development of clinical salmonellosis. In one study, experimental
infection of healthy cats required inoculation of infectious
organisms in numbers far exceeding those likely encountered in
natural infection.3 Susceptibility to and severity of Salmonella
infection is dependent on multiple factors, including inherited
virulence factors of the pathogen, infectious dose, and host
resistance factors. Host resistance to Salmonella in cats may be
influenced by a number of variables, including age, immunocompetence,
hospitalization, cage confinement, multicat environments (e.g.,
multicat households, animal shelters, catteries), medical or surgical
procedures, chemotherapy, administration of exogenous glucocorticoid
therapy, gestational status, prior or concurrent disease, and
possibly prior immunization.3,6–9,11 Both of these cases
originated
in the same multicat household, and the affected animals were either
very young (10 weeks) or very old (14.7 years), suggesting possible
environmental stress, altered immune status, or both. Additionally,
case no. 2 had concurrent respiratory infection with Bordetella
bronchiseptica, incurring additional immunological and physiological
stress with compromise to local pulmonary defense mechanisms. A
recent report described a possible association between an outbreak of
fatal salmonellosis among cattery-raised kittens and their earlier
vaccination with a high-titer modified-live panleukopenia vaccine.11
Case no. 2 also had a history of recent vaccination for feline
panleukopenia."

So yeah, one of the two cats was a) a very young kitten, b) already
sick with a respiratory infection, c) vaccinated for feline
distemper, which according to the paragraph above has been associated
with fatal salmonellanosis.

Also: "Additional information regarding the storage and preparation
of the home-prepared diet would be of interest in these cases.
Unfortunately, this information was unavailable."

Yeah, I'd say that would be extremely important. Since this study is based on
only *2* cats from the *same* household, it would be of great interest to know
how the meat was handled and stored, etc.

What I find of interest is that in the over 1,000 members on my raw diet list,
we have yet in the almost 4 years I've been on the list, encountered not one
single case of salmonella infection. I have had cats get sick from commercial
diets though.

As wiith any food preparation, common sense must prevail. Wash surfaces, wash
hands, etc., store meat properly as you would for yourself.

Lauren
________
See my cats:
http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm
  #7  
Old December 12th 03, 11:01 PM
PawsForThought
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

From: (Steve Crane)


SOURCE: PRNewswire, 12/11/03

Study Finds Raw Food Diets Too Risky for Pets, Owners


Hmm...seems you failed to include this part:

Here's a pertinent paragraph that the news report (and the vets interviewed)
failed to include:

"Healthy adult cats appear to have high immunological resistance to
the development of clinical salmonellosis. In one study, experimental
infection of healthy cats required inoculation of infectious
organisms in numbers far exceeding those likely encountered in
natural infection.3 Susceptibility to and severity of Salmonella
infection is dependent on multiple factors, including inherited
virulence factors of the pathogen, infectious dose, and host
resistance factors. Host resistance to Salmonella in cats may be
influenced by a number of variables, including age, immunocompetence,
hospitalization, cage confinement, multicat environments (e.g.,
multicat households, animal shelters, catteries), medical or surgical
procedures, chemotherapy, administration of exogenous glucocorticoid
therapy, gestational status, prior or concurrent disease, and
possibly prior immunization.3,6–9,11 Both of these cases
originated
in the same multicat household, and the affected animals were either
very young (10 weeks) or very old (14.7 years), suggesting possible
environmental stress, altered immune status, or both. Additionally,
case no. 2 had concurrent respiratory infection with Bordetella
bronchiseptica, incurring additional immunological and physiological
stress with compromise to local pulmonary defense mechanisms. A
recent report described a possible association between an outbreak of
fatal salmonellosis among cattery-raised kittens and their earlier
vaccination with a high-titer modified-live panleukopenia vaccine.11
Case no. 2 also had a history of recent vaccination for feline
panleukopenia."

So yeah, one of the two cats was a) a very young kitten, b) already
sick with a respiratory infection, c) vaccinated for feline
distemper, which according to the paragraph above has been associated
with fatal salmonellanosis.

Also: "Additional information regarding the storage and preparation
of the home-prepared diet would be of interest in these cases.
Unfortunately, this information was unavailable."

Yeah, I'd say that would be extremely important. Since this study is based on
only *2* cats from the *same* household, it would be of great interest to know
how the meat was handled and stored, etc.

What I find of interest is that in the over 1,000 members on my raw diet list,
we have yet in the almost 4 years I've been on the list, encountered not one
single case of salmonella infection. I have had cats get sick from commercial
diets though.

As wiith any food preparation, common sense must prevail. Wash surfaces, wash
hands, etc., store meat properly as you would for yourself.

Lauren
________
See my cats:
http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm
  #8  
Old December 12th 03, 11:53 PM
Cheryl
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

PawsForThought wrote in
on 12 Dec 2003:

Hmm...seems you failed to include this part:


Lauren, him posting that was a clear troll tactic. I'd ignore it. lol

--
Cheryl

"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I
can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do."
- Helen Keller

Worldwide Candle Lighting in Memory of all Children, Dec 14, 2003 7pm in
all time zones
http://thecompassionatefriends.org/2...L/2003_wcl.htm
http://thecompassionatefriends.org/2003_WWCL/senres.htm

-this in memory of my Eric-
  #9  
Old December 12th 03, 11:53 PM
Cheryl
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

PawsForThought wrote in
on 12 Dec 2003:

Hmm...seems you failed to include this part:


Lauren, him posting that was a clear troll tactic. I'd ignore it. lol

--
Cheryl

"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I
can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do."
- Helen Keller

Worldwide Candle Lighting in Memory of all Children, Dec 14, 2003 7pm in
all time zones
http://thecompassionatefriends.org/2...L/2003_wcl.htm
http://thecompassionatefriends.org/2003_WWCL/senres.htm

-this in memory of my Eric-
 




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