On the Veterinary Information Network, several veterinarians have reported cases where dogs have developed symptoms of kidney failure (Fanconi’s syndrome) similar to dogs who have been poisoned by Chinese-made chicken jerky treats.
So far, the brands implicated are all made in China:
- Beefeaters Sweet Potato Snacks for Dogs
- Canyon Creek Ranch Chicken Yam Good Dog Treats (FDA has issued a warning on this product)
- Drs. Foster and Smith (exact item not specified in the report)
- Dogswell Veggie Life Vitality * (Update: Shortly after I posted this report, Dogswell contacted me (in a rather nasty, confrontational email full of false allegations) and denied that there were any problems associated with this product. My response pointed out their errors. They contacted me again with “test results” that they claim proved that their products are just fine. However, since nobody knows what ingredient or contaminant is causing illness and death in so many dogs, nobody can test for it; the tests Dogswell did run are irrelevant to this issue. Dogswell has also been harassing other bloggers who reported on my original warning. There are many other wonderful treats available that are not made in China, as Dogwell’s still are; and are manufactured by companies who do not use strong-arm tactics to suppress the truth. I stand by my report. – Dr. Jean Hofve)
There was also speculation that the problem may also extend to pork products (pig ears) and cat treats made in China. Australian veterinarians have reported similar symptoms from chicken jerky treats, as well as several cases associated with “Veggie Dents,” a dog treat made in Vietnam by Virbac, an American company. Virbac recalled one batch of Veggie Dents in Australia in 2009.
There is no pending recall of Chinese-made pet treats, even though FDA has repeatedly issued warnings about the problems associated with chicken jerky treats since 2007.
Symptoms of Fanconi’s syndrome include:
- Increased drinking and urinating
- “Accidents” in the house
- Reduced appetite
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Blood and urine tests show azotemia (high BUN and Creatinine), dilute urine, and glucose in the urine (that isn’t diabetes).
Most affected dogs have recovered over time with good supportive care.
We strongly recommend that you check the source of all cat or dog treats you may have purchased, and do not give them to your pet if they were made in China. It would be best to avoid any pet food or treat products made in China, and it’s probably a good idea to avoid all dried animal parts, because they are not heated to a temperature that will kill pathogenic bacteria.
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[...] …”veterinarians are reporting new cases of dogs developing symptoms of kidney failure (Fanconi’s syndrome) similar to dogs who have been poisoned by Chinese-made chicken jerky treats, but this time they are being poisoned with a whole new class of treats: sweet potato treats imported from China. The brands veterinarians say are associated with the new cases of unexplained acute kidney failure are…and Dogswell Veggie Life Vitality (4 types of Veggie Life brands)”. [...]