Update 2: AVMA Warns of Potential New Threat to Pets
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) was recently made aware of several complaints from pet owners and veterinarians that multiple brands of jerky treats manufactured in China have been making pets sick.
September 19, 2007
Symptoms of illness have included vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. To the AVMA’s knowledge, no deaths have been reported.
The AVMA posted an alert on its web site on September 13 to inform its members and the public about what was known. On September 14, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) issued a statement saying it also has become aware of an unusual number of dogs presenting similar symptoms and abnormal test results associated with consumption of some jerky treats.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently testing several products to see if a contaminant can be found. So far, they have ruled out melamine, one of the chemicals that led to the massive pet food recall this spring, but have yet to identify anything that might be making pets sick.
While a list of brand/product names of affected treats is not yet available, the AVMA has learned that all complaints have involved jerky treats from China. The AVMA recommends that pet owners use their best judgment in this matter.
On Tuesday, September 18, after receiving a high volume of calls from the public, the AVMA added an FAQ to its web site addressing the most commonly asked questions of pet owners. Those who still have questions are encouraged to contact Lori Goszczynski, AVMA customer service representative, at 847-285-6655 or lgoszczynski@avma.org.
Suspected cases should be reported to the FDA district office consumer complaint coordinator for your region.
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Jerky Treats From China Could Be Causing Illness In Pets
