Pet Treats Related to China Could Cause Illness in Dogs

Local dog owners suspect treats made in China or treats made from ingredients manufactured in that country may have resulted in the death of one pet and the illness of a second this past year.

The three brands of jerky treats most cited in complaints to the FDA since 2007 included Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch brands (distributed by Nestle Purina) and Milo’s Kitchen Home-Style (distributed by the Del Monte Corporation), all tied to China manufacturing.

A year ago, Palisadian Emily Funke fed Milo’s Kitchen chicken jerky treats to her King Charles spaniel. The next day, the five-year-old dog started to vomit, had diarrhea and was lethargic. Funke rushed Rocky to the Blue Cross Pet Hospital, where veterinarian Debbie Oliver performed blood tests and put the dog on antibiotics. She queried Funke about anything Rocky might have eaten. The only change in the dog’s diet was the jerky treats.

By Friday, Rocky was so sick he had to be put down. Funke subsequently learned from her dog’s breeder that there have been reported problems with chicken jerky pet treats made in China.

The most recent figures show that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received 2,674 reports of illness involving 3,243 dogs who ate chicken jerky, including 501 deaths. The problems range from vomiting and diarrhea to kidney failure and death.

The following warning was found on the agency’s Web site: “The FDA continues to caution consumers about a potential association between the development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products. The products—also called chicken tenders, strips, or treats—are imported from China. The FDA continues to receive complaints of sick dogs that their owners or veterinarians associate with eating chicken jerky products.”

Senator Barbara Boxer wrote to the FDA in July 2012. “Although so far there has been no source determined, there is an obvious problem with these chicken jerky treats manufactured in China,” she said. “I urge you to continue to dedicate the necessary resources to find the source of the contamination, take greater steps to alert customers of the dangers and pull from the market any products that are found to cause harm.”

On August 13, Haldis and Kurt Toppel’s dachshund, Sandy, became seriously ill. “When she suddenly left puddles on the living room floor, I suspected that something was terribly wrong,” Haldis said. “Her ‘accidents’ had turned bright green with a strong chemical smell resembling cleaning fluid or pesticide. She drank much and urinated frequently; she also became lethargic and reluctant to eat her once loved jerky treats. A staggering vet bill later, we knew she had ‘debris’ in her bladder and a serious bladder infection. The vet [Dr. Litochleb at the Pacific Palisades Veterinary Center] handed us a bottle of antibiotics and stern instructions not to feed her a treat that she knew came from China, especially chicken jerky.”

Toppel continued, “Soon after we stopped feeding her treats, Sandy’s puddles turned from bright green to orange and soon lost the chemical smell. The opened bag of Waggin’ Train chicken jerky was returned to Costco where we were told that the brand has been recalled.”

On August 15, the Toppels received a call from Waggin’ Train’s public relations person, asking for details on Sandy’s case and permission to contact Dr. Litochleb about tests that had been done. After extensive interviews, company officials asked the Toppels for permission to file a claim on their behalf.

Sandy was put on a three-week course of antibiotics, but her condition worsened, with blood in the urine. A subsequent ultrasound showed bladder stones, and surgery was scheduled for September 10.

“What appeared inside of her bladder was startling,” Haldis said. “It was almost entirely filled with smooth bright yellow pebbles of different shapes, the largest the size of a small plum.”

After their dog spent Tuesday night in doggy ICU with IVs and painkillers, the Toppels planned to take her home on Wednesday.