FDA: Dogs, Cats and People Sick From Eating Jerky Treats
RELATED: PETCO To Stop Selling Jerky Treats Made In China
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to receive reports of illnesses in pets and humans associated with the consumption of jerky pet treats.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to receive reports of illnesses in pets and humans associated with the consumption of jerky pet treats.
As of May 1, 2014, the FDA has received in total more than 4,800 complaints of illness in pets that ate
chicken, duck, or sweet potato jerky treats, nearly all of which are
imported from China.
The reports involve more than 5,600 dogs, 24 cats,
three people, and include more than 1,000 canine deaths. These include about 1,800 reports
received since FDA’s last update in October 2013.
Jerky Treat Illness Symptoms
Within hours of eating treats sold as
jerky tenders or strips made of chicken, duck, sweet potatoes and/or
dried fruit, some pets have exhibited decreased appetite, decreased
activity, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus), increased
water consumption, and/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. About
15 percent of the kidney or urinary cases also tested positive for
Fanconi syndrome, a rare kidney disease that has been associated with
this investigation.
The remaining 10 percent of cases reported various symptoms, such as neurologic, dermatologic, and immunologic symptoms.
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