The Official Publication of the New Zealand Cat Fancy Inc.
FEEDING YOUR PETS RAW MEAT...
Could pose a risk to your health as antibiotic resistance increases.
'Pet owners should be aware of the risk that their pet may be carrying multidrug-resistant bacteria and can spread them' Listeria is a type of bacteria which infects humans and some animals through contaminated food. Feeding your pets raw meat could pose a risk to your health as antibiotic resistance increases. Nowadays meat-eating pets, mainly dogs, are increasingly being fed raw meat, animal by products, bones and additional food such as fruit and vegetables - known as a ‘BARF’ (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet. However, the diet is a significant risk factor for the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according to a new study by the University of Zurich (UZH) in Switzerland. Roger Stephan, professor at the Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene of the Vetsuisse Faculty at UZH, said: “The situation with the multidrug-resistant bacteria has spiraled out of control in recent years. Urgent measures are needed to tackle the spread of ESBLproducing germs." RISK OF GERMS Many resistant bacteria produce enzymes called extended spectrum beta-lactamases (EBSL), which make certain antibiotics ineffective. Dogs and cats carry ESBL-producing germs.
In the study by the Vetsuisse Faculty into clinically relevant bacterial strains in dogs and cats, researchers found many different ESBLproducing germs. "We were concerned that these germs were found so often in dogs and cats," said Mr Stephan. He added: "We suspect that diets of raw meat may be a possible source of transmission." M U LT I D R U G - R E S I S TA N T B A C T E R I A Researchers tested 51 raw pet food samples from various suppliers in Switzerland to find out the total number of germs present, the number of normal and antibiotic-resistant enterobacteria, and the number of Salmonella. In 73 percent of food samples, the recommended value for enterobacteria was exceeded. In 61 percent of the samples, ESBLproducing bacteria were found. Salmonella were found twice, as were Escherichia coli (E. coli) harbouring the colistin-resistance gene mcr-1. Sourced from an article by Jennifer Logan
AN OLDIE BUT A GOODY... I don’t know how many times this little gem has travelled the world but I thought you might all need a giggle. Once again this year, I’ve had requests for my Gin Christmas Cake recipe so here goes. Please keep in your files as I am beginning to get tired of typing this up every year! INGREDIENTS 1 cup sugar, tsp. salt , 4 large eggs,
1 tsp. baking powder, 1 cup brown sugar, Nuts, 2 cups dried fruit.
1 cup water, 1 Lemon juice, 1 bottle Gin,
FIRST...Sample a shot of gin to check quality INSTRUCTIONS Take a large bowl, check the Gin again to be sure it is of the highest quality then Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point, it is best to make sure the Gin is still OK. Try another cup just in case. Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 eegs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit. Pick the fruit up off the floor, wash it and put it in the bowl a piece at a time trying to count it. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit getas stuck in the beaterers, just pry it loose with a drewscriver
Flash Cats
Sample the Gyn to test for tonsisticity. Next, sift 2 cups of salt, or something. Check the Jin. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don’t forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window. Finish the Giiin and wipe the counter with the cat.
20
Issue 19/04
