ZOONOTIC DISEASE, CATCH IT ON FOX NEWS

February, 2008 – Fox News Channel interviewed an emergency room physician who warned that e-coli and other bacteria can be caught from our pets. The doctor explained the risk of “bacterial colonization” between family members and their pets.

It was pointed out that dogs track bacteria in on their feet but so what? So do people and unlike dogs, we don’t “wash” our shoes.

The doctor mentioned a study that found some of the same bacteria in the family pet as was believed responsible for a higher incidence of human urinary tract infections.

Allowing the pet to kiss family members was discouraged. Have you ever told that to your Golden Retriever?

In fairness to the pets, it was also pointed out that humans have oral bacteria that cause tooth decay. Children are not born with it. They get it from their parents, not their pets.

There are in fact very few contagious diseases transmitted between animals and humans. 40 million pet owners can’t be wrong.

C’mon Fox News. Next time interview a pet-owning veterinarian!

Stella Starr

Corn Syrup, Obesity and Diabetes

Our pets may be on a fast track to obesity and diabetes. Scores of prepared foods are saturated with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) including many pet foods. Since HFCS or corn gluten is used as humectants, can we be sure which foods actually contain these ingredients? Could these foods in turn, be promoting a whole new product market for overweight dogs and cats?
 

Recent reports from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that two out of three Americans are overweight, and almost five are obese. Many pets are overweight and canine diabetes is on the rise. Could the statistics for overweight pets soon be just as bad?

The American Chemical Society, a nonprofit chartered by the U.S. Congress, supported a link to diabetes. Fox News tactfully reported, “Some researchers have suggested that high-fructose corn syrup may contribute to an increased risk of diabetes, as well as obesity.” Such study results are quickly disputed by the food industry.

A TV program about HFCS got my attention a few years ago. HFCS was believed to cause immediate production of insulin, sending some to fat storage cells, and causing cravings for more.

After losing 32 pounds in 2 months, while having smoothies with soy protein for lunch, I recalled a site for Harvard University Medical papers indicating that soy protein turns off sugar cravings. Clearly, I had craved foods rich in HFCS. Now avoiding it, I keep soy protein on hand for times when I eat foods that bring on HFCS cravings.

Now the food industry is adding new fibers to fix the problems with corn. Extractable from 36,000 plants, these fibers will not make food tastier. Side effects will result, but HFCS and corn will stay. It is important to read labels. Colon problems, even for pets, may be traceable directly to these new fibers.
 

While many consumers think that the pet food industry and the makers of our own foods should just take out the suspect ingredients, it doesn’t seem to be happening.  Take a look at all the low fat foods, weight loss products, and drugs related to losing weight or treating diabetes. It is likely that these products represent a tremendous amount of consumer spending.

Could it be that pet foods are headed in the same direction? This may mean that your pet’s health could take a backseat to the development of new markets for diet pet foods and pet drugs.

by Nel Liquorman