CVM Updates > FDA Continues to Caution Dog Owners About Chicken Jerky Products
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.
Mods, please move this to pet food recall if that's where it belongs; thanks.