Posted on 12/31/2008 8:09:08 PM PST by JACKRUSSELL
(Schaumburg, Ill.) More than a year after warning consumers about a possible link between certain chicken jerky products imported from China and illness in dogs, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to receive complaints from pet owners and veterinarians claiming these products are making dogs sick.
In addition, the University of Sydney is currently investigating an association between illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky after recent complaints in Australia, and one Australian firm has recalled their chicken jerky product, which the company says was manufactured in China.
In a statement released Friday afternoon, the FDA says that "the continued trend of consumer complaints coupled with the information obtained from Australia warrants an additional reminder and animal health notification."
To date, no definitive cause has been determined for the reported illnesses. The FDA and several veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States continue to perform extensive chemical and microbial testing but have yet to identify a contaminant in the products.
The 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 which may occur within hours to days of feeding the product: decreased appetite, although some may continue to consume the treats to the exclusion of other foods; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; and increased water consumption and/or increased urination.
If the dog shows any of these signs, owners stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Urine and blood tests may be consistent with Fanconi syndrome. Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.
Suspected cases should be reported to the FDA. To find the number for the FDA district office consumer complaint coordinator in your region, visit www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html.
The AVMA is monitoring the situation and will provide updated information on our Web site (www.avma.org) as soon as it becomes available. Like all information on our Web site, we will only post information that is credible and has been confirmed.
For more information from the FDA, visit http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/jerky122408.html.
For more information, contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA media relations assistant, at 847-285-6687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell), or msanfilippo@avma.org.
Our wonderful FDA at work yet again.
Why are people still feeding their dogs things that are made in China/ Because the average citizen doesn’t have the money / resources or time to go online and buy stuff made in America, they want to by stuff off the shelf.
News Flash for stores: SELL MORE THINGS MADE IN AMERICA BOZOS!
It would be the right thing to do. :)
Thanks glock rocks. I need to check into this and see if there is a list of products. I have not had time to read through the thread yet. Thanks for the ping.
Petco has taken products and put new stickers on affected ones or putting them on shelves in other parts of the store. When you question why a product seems out of place; they clam up. I just don’t buy from them anymore.
complaints from pet owners and veterinarians claiming these products are making dogs sick.
Why are they buying from China? China Sucks.
Before this story broke my 2 year old dog was having blood in his urine. For whatever stupidity on my part, I had not examined where the chicken jerky treats that I got at Costco came from. I stopped giving the treats (and also stopped giving him those chewable rawhides that had always made sure said “American” on them) and the problems went away. Now I’m scared to death that there has been some permanent kidney damage. I am so angry.
Because the imbecile “free traders” who’d sell out their mothers for a nickel want to make a buck off of the Chicoms as a “most favored nation”, when we should impose an absolute 100% embargo on them instead.
These morons will show up in these type of threads on FR to defend their odious policies and beliefs, too. They’re globalists and un-patriotic if you ask me.
Boycott RED CHINA.
I make my own treats, but thank you for he warning. I’ll pass this info on.
If you love your family and your pets, you will avoid any and all products made in china.
“Made in china”, when cyanide isn’t certain enough.
Thanks for this ping!
I just returned two big bags of Kingdom Pets chicken jery treats to Costco. The woman at the returns desk said the treats had made her dogs ill as well. She said Costco was pulling them off the shelves and mentioned something about the FDA, but I haven’t been able to find anything.
I take part of the blame because I stupidly neglected to read the back of the package. This was also the case with Kirkland brand Fruit & Nut Medley which I love, but listed on the back was ingredients coming from China. Those went back as well.
My previous dog, potlatch, lived to 15yrs on Purina dog food and I use it for my Yorkie now.
I threw a large box of offbrand cereal away awhile back because it tasted like ‘cardboard’ - perhaps it was!!
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