WARNING - Jerky Treats

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Rooney's breeder just sent this to me.  Remember that Rooney was in the hospital last week?  Sick but they couldn't fiind the cause - and I told them that I thought perhaps he had eaten too much chicken jerky during his training class Monday night.  OMG.  Rooney's high value treat - going into the trash - he will NEVER get another bite even though it was made in the U.S.A. and organic.  I can't risk it.  Luckily Rooney has made a complete recovery and has no lasting effects and I can't say for certain that it was the jerky but . . . .    Thought you would all want to know. 

Jerky Treats Causing Fanconi Syndrome in Dogs

Background

The American Veterinary Medical Association recently has posted a Media
Alert warning veterinarians that multiple brands of jerky treats
manufactured in China have been making dogs sick.

No cats have been reported to be affected. A contaminant has yet to be
identified. At this time there is no list of specific brands affected
and there is no recall in effect, so these products are still being sold
to consumers.

Presenting Signs and Laboratory Findings

The dogs appear to be developing an acquired Fanconi's syndrome which
appears to be transient. Small dogs with a history of ingesting jerky
treats (mostly chicken jerky) are typically affected. Clinical signs
include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.

Physical examination findings have been unremarkable. In addition to
mildly elevated liver enzymes, the most common blood abnormalities
include severe decrease in Potassium, called hypokalemia, along with
acidosis and glucose (sugar) in the urine and granular casts on
urinalysis. Elevated kidney enzymes; Blood Urea Nitrogen and Creatinine
may or may not be consistently found.

Testing Recommendations

For dogs with apparent Fanconi's syndrome, we recommend a CBC, chemistry
panel including electrolytes, urinalysis and urine culture. Blood gas
analysis, if available, is ideal. Additional testing for other causes of
acute kidney damage including Leptospirosis blood testing is also
recommended. Kidney x-rays, and Fanconi screens on urine may be
warranted in some cases.

This veterinarian is seeing dogs with apparent acute liver failure
problems associated with canine treats made by Delmonte.

For more information, veterinarian, Dr. Carol Osborne can be reached toll
free at 1-866-372-2765.

 

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

It doesn't list any brands and Rooney's jerky was made in U.S., and organic so it should be o.k. but I just think I won't let him have it any more.  This is very scary.  Especially because they could never find a cause for his illness.  If anyone has jerky in the treat closet - if it is from China - don't use it!!!!!

[diane silver]

Even though the chicken jerky you've used says that it's made in the USA, often if you read the fine print, it's still manufactured in China.  I was purchasing the chicken jerky from BJs and though Emma wasn't experiencing any of the symptoms you mentioned (thank goodness), she was having very loose poops all the time, and when I read the ingredients on the package I noticed that it contained glycerin.  I don't know if that's the cause of all the problems, but when the product is touted as, "100% chicken," it's really not.  So . . . . since my girl loved the jerky, I purchased a dehydrator ($179) and have been drying chicken myself.  Since then, her poops have been formed and "perfect" and though it's a many hour affair, I'm so relieved that it has solved her "problem" and also that hopefully, I haven't done anything to jeopardize her health. Now, if I could only get her to eat dog food . . . .

[RIDOODLES]

just a thought..sometimes just because it says "Madie in USA" doesn't mean some of the ingredients used in the treat , wern't purchased from another country such as China.. Back when dog foods were being black listed for containing ingredients such as "Corn Gluten" from china, the Dog food Co's with the recalls  were in the US...

I like to make my own treats just from plain ole chicken meat, cooked and then mixed with, flour,& chicken soup,crushed flax seed,eggs, oatmeal....you form little balls , place in oven for 20 mins at 200 degrees....they love em...and then you know they are safe in the purest form...and you can freeze them for up to 6 months..just take them out and defrost either on aplate in fridge or in microwave for a few mins...

[RIDOODLES]

Happy Rooney mad ea full recovery , ..thank God !!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

This is very interesting and scary. I have bought chicken jerky from Trader Joe's. The only ingredient is chicken and it says made in USA. I also cook chicken pieces to freeze for the dogs but the jerky is so convenient. I hope they discover what's causing the kidney malfunction with the commercial jerky.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

That is what mine claims 1. made in U.S.   2. only ingredient - chicken     But I'm not giving this to Rooney any longer.  He had a mystery illness and then this news comes out.  I just can't take the chance.  I'm going to have to think about doing what Diane did and get my own dehydrator.  Where would I buy one from do ya think?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I got one at my neighbor's garage sale last summer. I haven't used it yet : ) I am sure you can get one online. But when I dried chicken in the oven I still decided I'd better freeze it.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is an old article from back in 2007, when the recalls were happening. . There is no current report on an issue with chicken jerky causing problems. See below.

[Phoebe's Mom]

Very interesting.  Phoebe has always had a sensitive tummy but I was giving her chicken jerky (Trader Joe's) has her high value treat.  When I brought her in a while back because she had vomited, was acting 'off' and licking her lips a lot (somtimes an indicator of nausea I was told), our vet told me to stop the jerky.  Interestingly--and I hope I did not just jinx myself--she has not vomited since.  Thanks for posting this, Jane!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

THIS IS WHAT CAUSED TAQUITO'S PROBLEMS.  The Waggin' Train jerkys from Costco.  Made in USA, but read the fine print - some ingredients from China.  Just be careful when feeding these.  These made Taquito lose 25% of his body weight and he almost died (Summer of 2007).  I paid thousands to keep him alive.

 

I know many of us a very careful with the food we feed. But you MUST think about treats as well.

Taquito will battle with kidney issues the rest of his life.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Here is an alternative I have found to these jerkies. They are from Plato products (made in USA, only ingredients from USA).  We buy the Duck "Thinkers" and the chi and dood go crazy for them. They are pricey, but the package contains quite a few of them:

 

http://www.platopettreats.com/product_duck_th.html

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

With all due respect to your breeder and Dr. Carol, this article is from 2007, from Dr. Carol's blog.

http://www.carolonpets.com/blog/pet-news/jerky-treats-causing-fanco...
She sells her products, her advice, and her newsletter.
I would take this article with a grain of salt and not become alarmed. Yes, many dogs became seriously ill from chicken jerky imported from China, but that was caused by additives and not by the chicken or chicken jerky itself. You have to avoid products made in China. Many people here dehydrate their own chicken strips and make their own jerky, and it is perfectly safe. There is nothing inherently dangerous in chicken itself, whether it is dheydrated or fresh. There is no reason to discontiue giving American made chicken jerky if you have checked the source of the ingredients. Tyson makes True Chews chicken jerky in Independence IA, and it's perfectly safe. The concern is the company and the source of the ingredients, not chicken jerky itself.