The Food and Drug Administration is cautioning pet owners about chicken jerky dog snacks, after a surge in complaints by dog owners and vets associating the treats with sickness and death.
According to the FDA, the products at the center of the investigation were made in China. However, the agency has not yet pinpointed the problem or issued a recall, meaning there is not a certain product to look for.
Veterinarian Dr. Carla Cloud examined one dog experiencing symptoms at Noah's Animal Hospital in Lawrence on Tuesday.
"Her appetite has been a little bit decreased, she vomited once this weekend which is pretty abnormal for her," Dr. Cloud said. "So just feeling a little under the weather."
Dr. Cloud said the small dog ate several chicken tenders treats, one of several names given to chicken jerky-type snacks.
Back in 2007, the FDA issued its first caution alert related to chicken jerky snacks after they took 156 complaints associating them to illness and death. The FDA issued another bulletin when cases spiked again between 2008 and early 2009. The most recent caution alert comes after at least 70 complaints already this year.
In a statement the FDA said: "The complaints received have been on various chicken jerky products, but to date we have not detected any contaminants and therefore have not issued a recall or implicated any products. We are continuing to test and will notify the public if we find evidence of any contaminants."
"All we can do is say, 'If you're using this, use with caution and look for these things and proceed cautiously,'" Dr. Cloud said.
Though Arie appears to be back on track, Dr. Cloud said if you notice something wrong, take action.
"We always recommend stopping the treat immediately," Dr. Cloud said. "Get the intestinal tract back on order with some bland food, and then watch for any signs that the problem may be persisting."
FDA cautions dog owners about chicken jerky snacks
The Food and Drug Administration is cautioning pet owners about chicken jerky dog snacks.
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Ken Bryant at 4:56 PM March 07, 2012
An FDA document leaked this week from a confidential source within the US Congress details the chronological timeline of tests that the agency has performed on chicken jerky treats since 2007 – tests which many pet owners say have ignored some of the most potentially lethal substances possibly responsible for the rash of pet illnesses and deaths.
Read the report at: www.TriPomChews.net/fda-tests-jerky-treats
TriPomChews at 11:59 AM December 28, 2011
There is a NEW article on MSNBC which reports that the FDA is now saying that 353 dogs have gotten sick or died from eating Chinese chicken treats this year. The link is: http://on.msnbc.com/vKKHKK
Personally, I think the number of dogs sick this year is well over one thousand from the number of websites I've visited where I have seen dogs that are ill or that have died being discussed. I am almost certain it is something the Chinese are feeding the poultry used for their treats.
Did you know, according to Wikipedia and a New York Times article, that the Chinese fed Melamine to livestock? Melamine, as you may know, was the non-listed ingredient responsible for the pet food recall a few years ago. If you haven't, you should search for "Melamine" on Wikipedia and read the article.
Melamine is a principal ingredient in making Formica countertops and causes kidney failure if eaten. The Chinese were also caught putting Melamine into kids' milk and infant formula.
The only truly safe treat is one that you make yourself or that you buy from a company you trust. We make and sell our own chicken jerky, TriPom Chews, and only buy from other "Mom & Pop" sized treat makers that we have met or spoke with.
whatusay? at 7:44 PM December 18, 2011
Why don't we take these products from China off the market?? I know I won't be purchasing any more foods made in China for my pet.
