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easily digested; physically, the food should be raw, tough and chewy." In practical terms, that's a diet of whole chickens, rabbits, fish or similar. A raw meaty bones—based diet provides a good second-best option. new evidence of the harmful effects of junk food. Most pets are fed junk food and never clean their teeth. By simply cleaning diseased teeth and gums and changing pets over to a more natural diet, otherwise intractable diseases disappear— never to recur. Penicillin, hailed as a wonder drug, is used to treat some bacterial diseases but has no long-term disease prevention benefits. Using dentistry and diet, we could cure many and prevent most of the diseases afflicting pets. Blowing the whistle, catching attention If unnatural pet food injures the health of pets, then the cosy relationship between the pet food manufacturers and the veterinary profession injures pets, pet owners and the veterinary profession, too. Breck Muir complained:'* The infiltration of the commercial pet foods into our lives is one of the great success stories of the business world. Gross sales figures for a single product type is probably only bettered by petroleum products worldwide. We as a profession have been led by the nose by vested interests into a current situation where most younger vets actually recommend commercial pet foods as the best available way of feeding domestic pets—because they have never known of any other way. Before they had their first pet they were bombarded with constant mass media advertising instilling into them d that various commercial foods If unnatural pe are the only way to go, and when the health of ¢ they graduated and went to postgraduate nutrition courses cosy relationshi again they had this idea pet food manu reinforced by visiting lecturers . who actually mentioned brand the veterinary names in their notes. injures pets, pe an ae - my profession, too. Breck Muir complained:"* Tentacles of the monster The infiltration of the commercial pet foods into our lives Communicating the good health, good news message to other is one of the great success stories of the business world. vets became paramount, and so began a cat-and-mouse game with Gross sales figures for a single product type is probably the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA). As fully-paid-up only bettered by petroleum products worldwide. members of the association, we could submit letters to the letters We as a profession have been led by the nose by vested page of the AVA News. The AVA and pet-food company sponsors interests into a current situation where most younger vets were not so keen. Nevertheless, between December 1991 and actually recommend commercial pet foods as the best March 1993, a small band of raw meaty bones enthusiasts available way of feeding domestic pets—because they managed to get 10 letters published—until AVA News announced it have never known of any other way. Before they had their would run no further correspondence.” first pet they were bombarded At a stroke, AVA members were with constant mass media forbidden to discuss fundamental health advertising instilling into them A issues. In response, and with the annual that various commercial foods If unnatural pet food Injures general meeting fast approaching, we are the only way to go, and when the health of pets, then the drafted a motion calling on the AVA to they graduated and went to lift the correspondence ban and to postgraduate nutrition courses cosy relationship between the conduct a full investigation of the diet again they had this idea pet food manufacturers and and disease issue. After "lively" debate, reinforced by visiting lecturers A . both parts of the motion were who actually mentioned brand the veterinary profession approved." names in their notes. injures pets, pet owners and The AVA report on the diet and A . disease link was released in Februar Breck and I thought that blowing the the veterinary profession, too. 1994, nine months after the 1993 AGM. whistle on the processed pet-food issue Although "assisted" by pet food might trigger debate. We also hoped it company vet Dr Barbara Fougere and might lead to reappraisal and resolution of other pet food company sympathisers, a gathering crisis. However, we were about to be taught the first of | the committee nevertheless reported that, instead of investigating several lessons: that the pet food industry/veterinary profession the full impact of diet and disease, it had limited its enquiries:”” alliance is extensive, strong and hostile to criticism. + The committee believed the concerns raised required Upper echelons of the veterinary profession (veterinary urgent attention and comment. It was considered that associations, veterinary schools, research institutes) and junk food within the time frame set by the AVA it was not possible makers do deals behind the scenes. The Australian Veterinary to explore every aspect of dietary interaction with disease. Association sent Breck's letter to John Wingate, the then president Information which could be gathered on the broader of the Pet Food Manufacturers Association Inc. (now the Pet Food issues would be unlikely to add more than is already well Industry Association of Australia Inc.). Wingate, in his self- known. serving response published alongside Breck's letter, told vets:'® = Concentration should be placed on periodontal disease The best way to feed a pet animal is with reputable and diet because this was the principal area of current brands of pet food... Analytically speaking, the...contents concern to the Australian veterinary profession. of these products are known and designed to satisfy the - It was felt that if periodontal disease could be requirements of the animal as defined by the National prevented then any secondary complications from this Research Council of the US Academy of Sciences, which problem would be reduced. is the accumulation of the most up-to-date world-wide There is prima facie evidence to justify concern by knowledge on the subject. veterinarians. Pet owners should consider the need to provide some "chewy" material as well as the basic Yes, that's right: the junk pet food culture extends all the way nutrient intake of their dog or cat. up to the US Academy of Sciences—and along the way, animal Periodontal disease may be associated with the welfare organisations, dog and cat breed societies, pet magazines, occurrence of other diseases but the available evidence is books, print and electronic media all sing from the junk pet food inconclusive. Periodontal disease is arguably the most makers' song sheet. common disease condition seen in small animal practice But as practising vets ministering to the needs of a steady and its effects on the gums and teeth can significantly stream of sick pets, we found that our senses and our daily affect the health and well-being of affected animals. This experience told us that the weight of so-called veterinary evidence is sufficient in itself to give reason for concern. Proof of was wrong. We delved deeper, looking in textbooks and research additional systemic effects is not necessary to justify papers. And everywhere we stumbled, tripped and fell, we found further action. Yes, that's right: the junk pet food culture extends all the way up to the US Academy of Sciences—and along the way, animal welfare organisations, dog and cat breed societies, pet magazines, books, print and electronic media all sing from the junk pet food makers' song sheet. But as practising vets ministering to the needs of a steady stream of sick pets, we found that our senses and our daily experience told us that the weight of so-called veterinary evidence was wrong. We delved deeper, looking in textbooks and research papers. And everywhere we stumbled, tripped and fell, we found NEXUS + 33 OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2007 www.nexusmagazine.com