Re: [pyrnet] Hi protein

["Tracy Bassett" <espinay@bigpond.com>]

<<Could this be because the "city" dog wasn't use to the bacterial, etc that
my border collie had become accustomed to?  Just like in people.>>  Robyn

Yes, when it comes to the ability to fight off bacteria exposure to small
amounts over a long period actually helps to build up resistance so that if
they (we) happen to come into contact with a large overgrowth it has less
chance of having a severe effect.  As my grandmother used to say "A little
dirt never hurt anyone"<g>.  There is such a thing as being 'too clean'. (a
cavet before someone brings it up - yes, I know children and the
immuno-compromised need to take more care.  More care however, does not mean
'cotton wool' which can be just as detrimental).

I love telling the story of when I was in Borneo.  My 'roomie' was a lab
tech who would say that she had seen all the bacteria under the microscope,
knoew what was out there and didn't want to get sick.  She would use
medi-wipes on any surface before she touched it, only ate 'western'
pre-packaged food and refused to eat in the local markets.  The rest of us,
while taking basic precautions (bottled water etc although I will admit that
I did have ice in drinks on occasion) would eat the local food and so on.
My roomie was the only one to get sick and she got REALLY sick.

Often you hear of dogs having trouble switching foods or when given
something different.  Many times this is simply because they are not exposed
to a variety of foods but are fed the same thing all the time.  Dogs fed a
variety of foods on a regular basis usually have less or no trouble adapting
to new things.  I also recall an anecdote related by someone who was a
soldier serving in East Timor.  While there they were fed solely on ration
packs which are dried dehydrated foods (the human version of kibble).  After
three months with no fresh foods he returned to Australia only to find that
he just couldnt eat the fresh foods.  It took him a week or so for his
system to re-adapt to them.  Studies done on the long term use of ration
packs have found that while soldiers do well on them for a while, there is a
'honeymoon period' after which preformance and health is not as good.
Eating at least some fresh foods regularly is recommended for the
maintenance of their health.

Tracy Bassett
Murrumbateman, Australia
espinay@bigpond.com