Animal Health Warnings
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DISCLAIMER
* Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional veterinary prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your veterinarian before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your Veterinarian can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your pet's unique needs or diagnose your pet's particular medical history.
1 WARNING!
09/15/2009: Jeanie from Fort Bragg, Ca writes: "I just read the warning on chicken jerky products. We feed these occasionally and I'm assuming they're from China so this makes me nervous. However, I haven't seen ill effects from them. I use them in small amounts occasionally as a training treat.
One possible reason people are having trouble with them occurred to me. I know from my study of human nutrition and traditional diet (like those studied by Weston A. Price) that protein should never be consumed without ample dietary fat as that will deplete the body of fat-soluble vitamins. Also, minerals can't be absorbed properly without fat and vitamins A and D (real, pre-formed Vit. A, not beta-carotene, and natural Vit. D2--cholecalciferol-- not synthetic Vit. D2 or ergocalciferol). So I wonder whether sometimes people are feeding too much of these lean chicken strips and it is throwing off the fat/protein balance in their diets. For more information on this as researched in humans, see the Weston A. Price Foundation website (nonprofit educational site so I hope you'll publish the URL: http://www.westonaprice.org) and read about good fats and traditional diets. So adding extra fat when using the chicken strips could possibly help. It's not the fat that makes them fat, unless you're overfeeding food quantity in general, it's the carbs from grains, fruits, vegetables, which are biologically inappropriate for dogs. A little vegetable matter is ok, especially greens, but please don't feed your dogs grains or fruits."
11/04/2009: Karmala from Templeton, Ca replies: "To Jeanie from Fort Bragg. You write that you still feed the chicken jerky in small amounts as you think the problem might be in the feeding method. I would ask you to PLEASE reconsider. You state that you have not seen any negative reaction in your pet... that's what everyone says...until the reactions occur...sometimes it's then too late to correct it. With so many natural and organic options available for treats... why risk your pet's health/life? Shouldn't we... as responsible pet companions... do everything within our power to protect them? Would you continue to feed something to your children if you knew it would potentially harm them. I am not judging you, Jeanie... only asking you to please weigh it all out. There have been too many recalls of products from China (pet food, baby food, fish, etc.) over the past 5 years to NOT give this due diligence."
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[WARNING!] Kris Christine writes: "PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST
U.S. Government Publications are NOT Copyrighted
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/CVM_Updates/ComplaintsChicJerky.htm
Preliminary Animal Health Notification
December 19, 2008
FDA Continues To Receive Complaints about Chicken Jerky Products for Dogs and Cautions Consumers
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to caution consumers of a potential association between the development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products also described as chicken tenders, strips or treats. FDA continues to receive complaints of dogs experiencing illness that their owners or veterinarians associate with consumption of chicken jerky products. The chicken jerky products are imported to the U.S. from China. FDA issued a cautionary warning to consumers in September 2007.
Australian news organizations report the University of Sydney is also investigating an association between illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky in Australia. At least one firm in Australia has recalled their chicken jerky product and the recall notification stated the chicken jerky product was manufactured in China.
FDA believes the continued trend of consumer complaints coupled with the information obtained from Australia warrants an additional reminder and animal health notification.
Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be
used occasionally and in small quantities. Owners of small dogs must be especially careful to limit the amount of these products.
FDA, in addition to several veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the U.S, is working to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA has conducted extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified any contaminant.
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, 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.
The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem. 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 http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html in their state."
02/19/2009: Katharine from Charleston, Sc replies: "Thanks! There is no longer an ALPO ad on this page! I don't know if you took it off or if it is just coincidence but YAY!!! My life's mission to educate people about pet health and nutrition just made one good step! THANKS!!! :-)"
EC: Yes, we banned it after getting your email. Wasn't sure of the url of the ad (very helpful), so banned their main one (alpo.com).
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