Killer chemical in pet meat (LINK)
December 13th 2007 01:17
I was going to post about sulphur in meat like hams and corned meat and to warn people not indulge their dogs, however this appeared in today's Daily Telegraph and worth a read as well.
By Kate Sikora
December 13, 2007 12:00am
PET owners could be killing their dogs and cats by feeding them "fresh meat" which is laden with preservatives.
Yesterday, the Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association warned families to only buy meat for pets which is fit for humans.
A potentially fatal additive is used in fresh pet meats sold in supermarkets and pet stores, which the vet industry wants to see banned.
Unsuspecting pet owners are buying the meat which contains sulphur dioxide, the same chemical butchers are banned from using to extend the shelf-life of meats.
The preservative keeps meat "fresh" but in high levels can deplete vitamin B1 - causing lethargy, rashes, loss of weight, wobbliness, seizures and even death.
The Chief Industrial Magistrates Court early this year fined Granville's Dan Dan Brothers Butchers $7500 for adding an excessive amount of the chemical into sausages.
The vet industry yesterday renewed its call to have pet food labelling laws reviewed.
ASAVA president Dr Matthew Retchford said the only meat which could be trusted was from the butcher.
"Buy meat you would eat yourself or bring in a sample of the food you are buying and (vets) can test for sulphur dioxide. A lot of pet owners need to be educated. Don't buy fresh meat unless it is part of a well structured diet," Dr Retchford said.
The self-regulating pet food industry is not required to list ingredients and preservatives.
Dr Retchford said the only law for manufacturers was to display a warning it was pet food and not for humans.
"The problem, particularly in dogs, is the signs are very subtle," Dr Retchford said. "It could be anything from lethargy to altered behaviour through to seizures.
"Cats show acute symptoms such as apparent blindness and somersaults or flipping.
"Acute signs of thiamine (B1) deficiency, as observed by the ASAVA, occur when pets are fed a diet of highly sulphited pet meat exclusively."
A Pet Food Industry Association of Australia spokesman said: "Preservatives, when used, are added at very low levels in the product. Preservatives are available in varying forms."
Dog lover and director of pet nanny care Furry Family Anitra Hellum was shocked to discover pet meat could harm her four-year-old maltese terrier, Missy.
"I guess you think because they are always picking things up they have a cast-iron stomach," she said.
They also have a live blog on this topic:
Really Long Link
By Kate Sikora
December 13, 2007 12:00am
PET owners could be killing their dogs and cats by feeding them "fresh meat" which is laden with preservatives.
Yesterday, the Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association warned families to only buy meat for pets which is fit for humans.
A potentially fatal additive is used in fresh pet meats sold in supermarkets and pet stores, which the vet industry wants to see banned.
Unsuspecting pet owners are buying the meat which contains sulphur dioxide, the same chemical butchers are banned from using to extend the shelf-life of meats.
The preservative keeps meat "fresh" but in high levels can deplete vitamin B1 - causing lethargy, rashes, loss of weight, wobbliness, seizures and even death.
The Chief Industrial Magistrates Court early this year fined Granville's Dan Dan Brothers Butchers $7500 for adding an excessive amount of the chemical into sausages.
The vet industry yesterday renewed its call to have pet food labelling laws reviewed.
ASAVA president Dr Matthew Retchford said the only meat which could be trusted was from the butcher.
"Buy meat you would eat yourself or bring in a sample of the food you are buying and (vets) can test for sulphur dioxide. A lot of pet owners need to be educated. Don't buy fresh meat unless it is part of a well structured diet," Dr Retchford said.
The self-regulating pet food industry is not required to list ingredients and preservatives.
Dr Retchford said the only law for manufacturers was to display a warning it was pet food and not for humans.
"The problem, particularly in dogs, is the signs are very subtle," Dr Retchford said. "It could be anything from lethargy to altered behaviour through to seizures.
"Cats show acute symptoms such as apparent blindness and somersaults or flipping.
"Acute signs of thiamine (B1) deficiency, as observed by the ASAVA, occur when pets are fed a diet of highly sulphited pet meat exclusively."
A Pet Food Industry Association of Australia spokesman said: "Preservatives, when used, are added at very low levels in the product. Preservatives are available in varying forms."
Dog lover and director of pet nanny care Furry Family Anitra Hellum was shocked to discover pet meat could harm her four-year-old maltese terrier, Missy.
"I guess you think because they are always picking things up they have a cast-iron stomach," she said.
They also have a live blog on this topic:
Really Long Link
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