American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Updated: December 24, 2008
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Michael San Filippo
Office: 847-285-6687
Cell: 847-732-6194
e-mail: msanfilippo@avma.org
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FDA Continues to Receive Complaints About Chicken Jerky Products
Schaumburg, Ill.
More
than a year after warning consumers about a possible link between
certain chicken jerky products imported from China and illness in dogs,
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to receive complaints
from pet owners and veterinarians claiming these products are making
dogs sick.
In addition, the University of Sydney is currently investigating an
association between illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken
jerky after recent complaints in Australia, and one Australian firm has
recalled their chicken jerky product, which the company says was
manufactured in China.
In a statement released Friday afternoon, the FDA says that "the
continued trend of consumer complaints coupled with the information
obtained from Australia warrants an additional reminder and animal
health notification."
To date, no definitive cause has been determined for the reported
illnesses. The FDA and several veterinary diagnostic laboratories in
the United States continue to perform extensive chemical and microbial
testing but have yet to identify a contaminant in the products.
The 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, owners stop feeding the chicken
jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are
severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Urine and blood tests may be
consistent with Fanconi syndrome. Although most dogs appear to recover,
some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.
Suspected cases should be reported to the FDA. To find the number
for the FDA district office consumer complaint coordinator in your
region, www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html.
The AVMA is monitoring the situation and will provide updated information on our Web site (www.avma.org)
as soon as it becomes available. Like all information on our Web site,
we will only post information that is credible and has been confirmed.
For more information from the FDA, visit http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/jerky122408.html.
For more information, contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA media
relations assistant, at 847-285-6687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell), or msanfilippo@avma.org.
The AVMA and its more than 76,000 member veterinarians are engaged
in a wide variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science and
art of animal, human and public health. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org for more information.
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