Bully stick recall

[Shannon and Finn]

Just got a twitter notification about salmonella contamination. On mobile now so I don't have the details but figure someone can fill in the info. Sigh.

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

I think it's the target brand. Boots and Barkley... Read somewhere that it was the made in USA kind too

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, it's Boots & Barkley bully sticks from Target.

http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/29580

They are made in the USA, but they are also sold at Target, lol. We don't recommend buying any edible dog products at Target, Walmart, K-Mart, Walgreen's, most grocery stores, Costco, etc.

 

[Shannon and Finn]

Beat me to it! Thanks. Glad I don't buy them there.

[Vivian & Mojo]

It doesn't matter if made in the USA...lots of products, treats, food and toys made in the USA can be harmful and recalled. I know Wallmart sells many unsafe products but also some good ones so for me I would only buy products in Wallmart or the above stores if I know for a fact they're safe by constantly checking the re-call lists or have used them before. Its the same for humans. I always read labels as well, so many harmful additives in some foods and treats. I would also watch out for toys made in China, they can harm pets.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Most dog toys are made in China, no matter where you buy them. The Good Toys group has suggestions on toys that are not made in China, and there have been other discussions about this in the main forum as well.

But I said not to buy "edible dog products" at these places; toys are not really edible, although many dogs seem to think they are, lol.

The stores listed, as well as most grocery stores, do not carry any of the brands we have researched and recommend in The Food group, and lots of things that can seriously harm your dog. If you are well-informed on brands and ingredients, you might be able to find safe products in these stores (I have yet to see any), but most people do not know what "menadione sodium bisulfite" or "propyl gallate" on a label means,  and do not want to have to read labels at all, so we give this as a rule of thumb.

[Shannon and Finn]

Boots & Barkley 6-count, 5-inch American Beef Bully Sticks have been recalled because the products tested positive for salmonella.

By JoNel Aleccia, NBC News
A Denver company is recalling packages of its pet treats made from dried bull penises -- known as “bully sticks” -- after they tested positive for salmonella.
Kasel Associated Industries launched the voluntary recall after routine testing by the Colorado Department of Agriculture detected the contamination in packs of Boots & Barkley 6-count, 5-inch American Beef Bully Sticks, the company said.
The recalled pet treats were sold nationwide at Target retail stores from April through September.
The product comes in clear plastic bags containing six bully sticks marked with the bar code number 647263899189. Kasel is recalling all lot numbers after the following lot codes tested positive for salmonella: BESTBY20APR2014DEN, BESTBY01JUN2014DEN, BESTBY23JUN2014DEN, and BESTBY23SEP2014DEN.
The bully sticks are made in Denver, a company official told NBC News.
Salmonella can sicken animals that eat the products and can infect humans who handle the treats. However, no illnesses linked to the products have been reported in pets or humans, company officials said.
Pets with salmonella infections can be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will experience decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected pets, even if they appear healthy, can transmit the bacteria to other animals and people.
In people, salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Most victims recover without treatment. Some, however, may become ill enough to require hospitalization.
Consumers are urged to return the Boots & Barkley products to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Bully sticks and so-called “pizzle sticks” are among popular pet products made from bull penises.

[Candice & Bailey]

lol. I love watching people's reactions when they find out what they are. Seriously though, I think it's great that all of the parts of the animal are being used. My previous dog always loved them, my mom's dogs love them, and I will be letting Bailey have them as treats.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Sorry when I started posting I didn't see the posts....didn't mean to be a parrot. I could just see all the non dog people reading the paper sipping their coffee and seeing dried bulls penises. Lol

[Vivian & Mojo]

My holistic vet cautioned me about bully sticks in general, said that glue is used and when I did give Mojo one anyway on a long car trip to keep him busy I saw the bully stick had white goop at the chewed end and puppy some white goo on face and paws, it was so hard to wipe off. Any thoughts on this issue.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Lots of people here give bully sticks with no problem, and I have never heard of an issue with glue. I have seen that white goop even on the salami sticks my grandson likes, and I believe it to be fat and the casing material that's used, but I don't know.

I was never fond of bully sticks because JD goes through them in seconds, and for the money, there are longer-lasting chews out there. Dried beef tendons and beef tracheas are good alternatives.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

+ they stink! LOL

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

JD can't have them any more since the IBD diagnosis, but I was buying Old West brand:

They don't last terribly long, but neither did bully sticks for JD, and these are much much cheaper; the whole bag costs about $8.

Here's a discussion I posted in TFG about the tracheas; there's a link at the end for a website that sells them. I found them in my local privately owned pet supply boutique; they're sold loose in bulk; a big one lasted 40 minutes for JD, so they should last longer for most dogs.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/finally...