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Raw Food Parasites and Bacteria
By
Andrea Madeley
Boy
- talk about a mixed bag of emotions....
You know...I am really concerned that people feel attacked
on this list when they post that they cook foods - or feed
a 50/50 kibble...or what ever. The truth is though - as I
run through my saved posts, I read very few 'attacks' in the
true sense of the word. I read things like "try feeding
raw etc. etc. instead.." and "No - raw meat is a
natural food"....So I guess I would put this down to
people who are offering 'their opinions' and thoughts...which
is what I thought this list was about?
Getting
back to parasites. In all honesty, I can see that this topic
is a no win when opinions differ and people try to get their
point across. It all adds up to a lot of unanswered questions
and theories. Here is one theory.
It is not only raw meat that has parasites - just like bacteria
- they thrives all over the place. These critters are a natural
part of life's food chain and something that we either need
to deal with or succumb to. Some parasites in life are even
deemed good - as are some bacteria.
Now
if you care to look at the alternatives of cooking meat and
feeding it raw you will see that both hold a level of risk.
RAW
MEAT is full of living organisms - we call these enzymes and
anti oxidants and they are present in may shapes and forms...and
lets not forget parasites...they are also varied in how serious
they are. These living organisms perform a very important
function. Look at what happens to a piece of raw meat that
sits on a counter - it slowly decomposes under its own natural
production. It is alive with living organisms and this decaying
process, or the organisms that are responsible for it, are
believed to be an important part of a carnivore's digestive
process. Scientists are still finding new organisms and are
still trying to determine their functions in human health
- but they are certainly saying that there are important properties
of raw food that our bodies (and I would assume that would
include our pets) need in order to remain healthy. Perhaps
it's just simply that it keeps our system active and our immune
system busy....?
COOKED
MEAT has no living organisms. The naturally occurring Quality
Proteins, vitamins, essential fatty acids and minerals are
altered and the enzymes are killed...along with the bacteria
and parasites too. More on the upside - it makes the meat
taste better and is more tender...you also reduce the fat
levels. So, pop a piece of cooked meat on a counter and see
what happens to it. It rots rather than decomposes - it relies
on many external, much more volatile bacteria to destroy it.
These bacteria can be quite deadly....but assuming your dog
eats all of it's meat soon after being served - this is not
a concern.
OK.
Now, I would strongly be inclined to say that most of us have
seen a dog that has gone mad for another animals feces - or
eaten some poor half decomposed animal - or delighted in the
consumption of vomit (I think I should stop)... have you ever
asked yourself why? Why do we cringe at the thought of our
beloved dogs eating bacteria and germs and bugs and dirt when
this is what they "instinctively" do? Boy - I don't
like to play down all of these concerns about bacteria and
parasites, but...have a think about what lurks in these 'treats'
and then tell me that your dog can't handle salmonella...e-coli...etc.
as you feed it a 'fresh' chicken neck....
So...why
do some animals get sick with these very organisms?
I have said this a million times and I will say it again.
In our endeavor to keep our animals cleaner and healthier
- we are killing off their immunities. We feed them processed
food that makes their intestines weak. We deprive them of
bacteria - their systems then find it more difficult to deal
with. We inject them with viruses - we feed them chemicals....and
we do this for years...decades...over tens of generations...and
then wonder why they are getting ill.
The
irony of all of this is that opinions differ and most experts
refuse to agree. I don't believe that there is only one way
to feed a pet - as long as you are realistic in your endeavors.
I have spoken at great lengths about these issues with Ian
Billinghurst - I think he too believes that the hysteria on
raw meat has gone too far in some parts of the world. Due
to this hysteria - your road back may be longer...your pets
are less 'used' to these living organisms and some of those
in poor health may not be able to cope with what they should
naturally be able to. In other words - these new introductions
need to be taken one step at a time.
I
think the biggest turning point is the education regarding
Pet Foods. The fact that people are here and wanting to do
what is right for their pets is a massive calling. That when
we talk of natural diets - many are now pricking their ears
with keen - however wary interest. That it does not matter
if you choose to mix and try different ideas. It is simply
that we are more aware and keen to learn.
From
time to time - we will hear about situations of Salmonella
or a parasite killing a dog. In fact, I was involved privately
with a list member that lost a dog to Salmonella and we conversed
with Ian Billinghurst together. The result of that is that
there were many ways that this dog could have been affected
by Salmonella and was unlikely to have been the root cause
of the illness. What is important here is that a DIAGNOSIS
was done and it was investigated - and it showed just how
susceptible a poor immune system is. I would never "begin"
a raw meat diet on a sick animal - especially if it has not
been a part of the animal's history.
There
- that is my opinion. I am quite prepared to cope with the
onslaught of 'different opinions' - as indeed - I welcome
them. If nobody ever questioned anything we would all be lambs.
Andrea Madeley
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