Jerky Pet Treats From China Linked To Nearly 600 Dog Deaths

By Sam Lewis

Thousands of pets affected by outbreak that is eluding the FDA

Dating as far back as six years ago, the FDA began issuing alerts to consumers regarding reports of pet treats causing illness in pets. To date, approximately 3,600 dogs and 10 cats have become sick due to the issue, with approximately 580 reported deaths.

The FDA began receiving a significantly higher volume of reports of dogs with decreased appetite, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. The common factor linking all the cases together was the consumption of a wide range of brand-name jerky treats, all manufactured in China. The pet treats are sold as “jerky strips” or “jerky tenders” with chicken as the main ingredient. The FDA has run tests to find microbial contamination, metals, antibiotics, and pesticides on the suspected pet delicacies. Even the nutritional composition and DNA make-up of the treats was examined, but thus far, testing has not shown any distinct source of the sicknesses. “This is one of the most elusive and mysterious outbreaks we’ve encountered,” says the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine director, Dr. Bernadette Dunham.

An open letter was written by the FDA on Oct 22 asking vets to submit samples and any additional information regarding potential illnesses related to the treats to the agency’s Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network. In addition, the agency is asking vets to give pet owners a jerky treat fact sheet, showing them what symptoms to look for and how to report illnesses related to the treats. Owners who observe their pets exhibiting symptoms after eating jerky treats are urged by the FDA to stop feeding the treats to pets immediately, contact a veterinarian, and save the remaining treats along with its packaging for testing.

Even more peculiar about this outbreak is the incubation period. Some cases have dogs falling sick within hours of eating the treats. Still other pets have been fed the treats for years and have not had any illnesses. Severe cases report dogs suffering from kidney failure, internal bleeding, and a kidney condition called Fanconi syndrome — a kidney tube disorder in which certain substances normally absorbed into the bloodstream by the kidneys are released into the urine instead.

To date, there have been no official recalls on jerky pet treats. However, according to this article three brands are at least partially responsible. Included are Nestle Purina’s Waggin’ Train Jerky Treats or Tenders, Nestle Purina’s Canyon Creek Jerky Treats or Tenders, and Del Monte’s Milo’s Kitchen Home-Style Dog Treats. Officials at both Nestle Purina and Del Monte say their treats are safe, and tests by FDA regulators have shown no link of illness to any brand or manufacturer.

This outbreak has received a lot of attention from the media, but some pet owners are still not aware of it. Those who are informed should consider the option of completely stopping the use of jerky treats for their pet’s well-being. With so many other pet treat options on the market, it seems negligent to continue feeding a pet any company’s jerky treats, at least until the cause of the illness can be determined.