This popular pet treat is killing dogs and cats
About
580 dogs and cats have died from eating jerky treats since 2007
and some 3,600 have gotten sick, yet the cause of the remains a mystery, and now the Food and Drug Administration is asking for help with its investigation
into the unexplained deaths and illnesses from veterinarians and
pet owners.
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"This
is one of the most elusive and mysterious outbreaks we've
encountered," Dr. Bernadette Dunham, director of the FDA's
Center of Veterinary Medicine, states in a media release. "Our
beloved four-legged companions deserve our best effort, and we are
giving it."
Since 2011, the
Center of Veterinary Medicine has conducted more than 1,200 tests;
visited jerky pet treat manufacturers in China; and collaborated with
colleagues in academia, industry, state labs and foreign governments.
Most
of the jerky treats implicated have been made in China. Inspections
of the facilities in China that manufacture jerky products associated
with some of the highest numbers of pet illness reports did not
identify the cause of illness.
More than 1,200
jerky pet treat samples have been tested for chemical and
microbiological contaminants, from antibiotics to metals, pesticides
and Salmonella. DNA testing has also been conducted along with tests
for nutritional composition.
Within hours of
eating treats sold as jerky tenders or strips made of chicken, duck,
sweet potatoes or dried fruit, some pets have exhibited decreased
appetite, decreased activity, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes with
blood or mucus), increased water consumption or increased urination.
Severe cases have involved kidney failure, gastrointestinal bleeding
and a rare kidney disorder. About 60 percent of cases involved
gastrointestinal illness, and about 30 percent involved kidney and
urinary systems. The remaining cases reported various symptoms, such
as collapse, convulsions or skin issues.
The FDA advises
owners whose pets become ill after exacting jerky treats to seek
veterinary help and save any remaining treats and the packaging for
possible testing.
Dr. Doug Aspros, former president of the former American Veterinary Medical Association, advises pet owners to consult with their veterinarian about food they feed their dogs and cats. "The best thing to do ... is to talk to their veterinarian about anything they're feeding their pets," he states in a media release.
Dr. Doug Aspros, former president of the former American Veterinary Medical Association, advises pet owners to consult with their veterinarian about food they feed their dogs and cats. "The best thing to do ... is to talk to their veterinarian about anything they're feeding their pets," he states in a media release.
Dr.
Aspros urges pet owners to help the FDA with its investigation. "We
need to identify the dogs that have had symptoms and have been
associated with jerky treats," he said.
Tim
Evans, an associate professor of veterinary pathobiology at the
University of Missouri College
of Veterinary Medicine and
a veterinary toxicologist, also is encouraging pet owners to help the
FDA find the cause of the problem. “The FDA and scientists around
the country have been working on this problem tirelessly for many
years, but it has been a very difficult process because no obvious
ingredients in the jerky treats have been found to cause this
illness,” Evans states in a media release. “Hopefully with this
latest call for help from veterinarians nationwide, the FDA will
collect enough information soon to determine why this illness is
occurring.”
Owners
concerned about this illness should refrain from feeding jerky treats
to their dogs and cats since the treats are not a part of an
essential pet diet, and pets who eat jerky treats on a regular basis
should be watched for signs of illness, Evans said.
“While
the loss of any pet is tragic, only a very small percentage of pets
has been affected by this strange illness during the past six years,”
Evans said. “If pet owners have been feeding their dogs or cats
jerky treats containing chicken, duck, sweet potatoes and/or dried
fruits, I would recommend they stop feeding the animals the treats
immediately and monitor their pets’ health. While there may not be
a cause for immediate alarm, owners of small-breed dogs that have
consumed these treats on a regular basis, especially those with
pre-existing health conditions, might want to have their pet examined
by their regular veterinarian and have some laboratory testing
performed."
More reports about dogs and food:
Here's a better way to feed your pet
This common artificial sweeter is killing dogs
Toxic levels of chemical found in dog foods
Cheap pet food leads to costly health problems
Higher price no guarantee of pet food's quality
Chocolate, candies mean danger for dogs
Appetite ferocious for premium pet food
Another warning about chicken jerky treats
More pets being told 'eat your veggies'
More news about dogs and food
Here's a better way to feed your pet
This common artificial sweeter is killing dogs
Toxic levels of chemical found in dog foods
Cheap pet food leads to costly health problems
Higher price no guarantee of pet food's quality
Chocolate, candies mean danger for dogs
Appetite ferocious for premium pet food
Another warning about chicken jerky treats
More pets being told 'eat your veggies'
More news about dogs and food
To
report a compaint about a pet jerky treat, go to
www.fda.gov.
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