FDA Continues to Caution Dog Owners About Chicken Jerky

[kas125]

FDA Continues to Caution Dog Owners About Chicken Jerky Products

This was just posted on facebook by our local Sheriff's animal control officer, who is an amazing and wonderful woman. Posting it here to warn people because sometimes it's hard to tell where products are from and I'd hate to have any DU'ers dog get sick if it can be prevented -------

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is again cautioning consumers that chicken jerky products for dogs (also sold as chicken tenders, strips or treats) may be associated with illness in dogs. In the last 12 months, FDA has seen an increase in the number of complaints it received of dog illnesses associated with consumption of chicken jerky products imported from China. These complaints have been reported to FDA by dog owners and veterinarians.

FDA issued a cautionary warning regarding chicken jerky products to consumers in September 2007 and a Preliminary Animal Health Notification in December of 2008. After seeing the number of complaints received drop off during the latter part of 2009 and most of 2010, the FDA is once again seeing the number of complaints rise to the levels of concern that prompted release of our earlier warnings.

Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be fed occasionally in small quantities.

FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products: decreased appetite; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; increased water consumption and/or increased urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.

FDA, in addition to several animal health diagnostic laboratories in the U.S., is working to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. FDA’s Veterinary Laboratory Response Network (VLRN) is now available to support these animal health diagnostic laboratories. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA continues extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified a contaminant.

The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem and its origin. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky. Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in their state or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm280586.htm#.TsqxpgtQ_Uo.facebook

[flvegan]

1. As an FYI, people, you know "us" should avoid it as well.

Consumer Update

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to caution consumers about a potential association between the development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products. The products—also called chicken tenders, strips, or treats—are imported from China. FDA continues to receive complaints of sick dogs that their owners or veterinarians associate with eating chicken jerky products. FDA issued a cautionary warning to consumers in September 2007.

Australian news organizations report that the University of Sydney is also investigating an association between illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky in Australia. At least one firm in Australia has recalled their chicken jerky product and the recall notification stated the product was manufactured in China.

Don't mind the vegan looking out for you and them.

[Liquorice]

5. This reminds me, Nature's Recipe

has a line of vegetarian dog food that I switched my dog over to after she started having some health issues a while back (she's a 14 year old black lab).

http://naturesrecipe.com/recipe_detail.aspx?id=424

It has made a very positive impact on her health and she loves it. I was so happy to find a nutritionally sound vegetarian diet for her. Her vet said she has seen more than a few dogs with various skin problems and other health issues do much better on this vegetetarian dog food.

[flvegan]

6. That's fantastic.

Not surprising, though. I won't say why, but still.

[udbcrzy2]

2. My dog was affected

I used to give those to my little dog and he began vomiting and I could not figure out why. So, now instead of depriving him of treats, I just get the cheap hot dogs and he loves them. No vomiting either.

[kas125]

4. I guess I lucked out without realizing it, lol. Last winter, when I was

baking tons of Christmas cookies, I decided to make some dog treats, too. I'd been baking for days, but somehow, my dog KNEW those were for him and watched every step of the process after not paying a bit of attention to what I'd been doing. Since then, I've rescued another dog and have continued making their treats myself. Sometimes it's a pain and I start thinking it would be easier to just go buy some, but now I'm really glad I've been doing it myself so I know what they're getting.

[JFN1]

3. Figures...

My 13 year old Lhasa Apso loves those damn things...

[CreekDog]

7. Had a dog that was allergic to almost everything, but could eat whitefish and potato kibble

that was really high quality.

and for treats? you know what, she was thrilled when i gave her some kibble pieces apart from meal times.

dogs are incredibly loving and grateful creatures.

(i should mention that the allergy limited the types of food she could eat, yet because it controlled and improved her diet --no people food and no junk food...she was healthier and slimmer after its diagnosis than ever before)